After more than two months of waiting and plenty of outside noise, Rutgers finally has its new defensive coordinator - and head coach Greg Schiano couldn’t be more confident in the hire.
The Scarlet Knights turned to South Dakota head coach Travis Johansen to take over the defense, ending a 64-day search that spanned leagues and levels, from the NFL and CFL to FBS and FCS. Schiano said he spoke to over 20 candidates during the process, but in the end, it was about finding the right person, not the fastest one.
“We could’ve had a guy in two days,” Schiano said. “But that wouldn’t have been the best guy.”
This wasn’t a rushed hire, and it wasn’t meant to be. Schiano wanted someone who could be his Kirk Ciarrocca on the defensive side - a coordinator he trusts, aligns with, and can hand the keys to. And in Johansen, he believes he’s found exactly that.
Let’s break down the key takeaways from Johansen’s introduction and what it means for Rutgers moving forward.
1. This is Johansen’s defense to lead
Make no mistake - Johansen isn’t just coming in to run someone else’s scheme. This will be his defense.
Schiano made it clear that while they’ll collaborate and meet on everything - much like he does with offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca - Johansen is the one steering the ship on defense.
That’s a big deal. Johansen brings experience as a defensive coordinator at multiple levels, and now he steps into a Big Ten program that desperately needs a turnaround on that side of the ball.
“Our staff is totally aligned,” Schiano said. “One of my big principles is vertical alignment. We talk all the time about everything.”
While there are schematic similarities between what Rutgers has done and what Johansen brings, that wasn’t the driving force behind the hire. It’s about leadership, vision, and trust - and Schiano believes Johansen checks every box.
2. Familiar faces are joining the staff - and that’s by design
With only one defensive assistant returning from last season (defensive tackles coach Charlie Noonan), Johansen had several positions to fill. And he didn’t waste time bringing in coaches he knows and trusts.
He’s added Adam Cox, the former defensive coordinator at Drake, as safeties coach. Eric Finney, who coached cornerbacks under Johansen at South Dakota, is taking on the same role at Rutgers. And Joe Woodley, the head coach at Drake, is also joining the staff in a yet-to-be-announced position.
These aren’t just hires for the sake of filling out a staff - they’re calculated moves to build continuity and cohesion.
“We value the same thing,” Johansen said. “And one of those things, particularly in today’s day and age, is continuity.”
That continuity matters. Johansen emphasized how important it is to have coaches who already speak the same language, who understand the system, and who can hit the ground running. Instead of spending valuable time teaching the staff, the focus can be on teaching the players - and that’s where the real growth happens.
3. Johansen is still getting to know the players - and that’s okay
With transfers and graduations, Rutgers is turning over a significant chunk of its defense. And since the Scarlet Knights hit the transfer portal before hiring a new defensive coordinator, Johansen is inheriting a roster he didn’t help build.
That means there’s a learning curve. He hasn’t had much face time with the players yet, but he’s already digging into the film and getting a feel for their skill sets.
“I understand the players we brought in. I understand the skill sets,” Johansen said. “But I don’t know them as people yet.”
That relationship-building will come. For now, it’s about evaluating what he has and determining how to best deploy the talent on hand. And given Johansen’s track record of maximizing his defenses, there’s reason to believe he’ll figure it out.
4. Fixing the defense is the mission - and Schiano thinks the pieces are there
Let’s be honest: Rutgers’ defense struggled mightily last season. In Big Ten play, the Scarlet Knights gave up more yards per play (7.92) than any other team in the conference this century. That’s not a stat you want to be associated with.
But Schiano doesn’t see a broken unit - just one in need of a course correction.
“We’re not broken,” he said. “We just need a little adjustment. And this guy is going to come in and get the defense adjusted the way we need to.”
Johansen echoed that belief. He sees potential in the program and believes the infrastructure is in place to make a leap.
“I see what is happening here right now, as far as where the resources have gone,” Johansen said. “I’ve heard unbelievable things about Keli and what she’s bringing to the table and how the resources are turning this thing into a rocket ship ready to take off.”
He’s been part of that kind of transformation before - and now he’s ready to do it again, this time in Piscataway.
Bottom line: This wasn’t a quick fix. It was a deliberate, calculated hire aimed at reshaping Rutgers’ defense from the ground up. Travis Johansen brings leadership, continuity, and a clear vision - and he’s walking into a program that’s ready to take the next step.
Now, it’s about putting it all together on the field.