Chris Ash to Rutgers: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash is the new head football coach at Rutgers after receiving board approval on Monday.

Keith Sargeant of NJ.com noted Ash signed a five-year contract that starts at $2 million a season. Sargeant also explained the contract "includes bonuses based upon achievement of annual performance and academic incentives established by the university."

Ash joined the Ohio State coaching staff in January 2014. The Buckeyes defense ranked 19th en route to a national championship last season. The unit has taken another step forward in the second season under the 41-year-old coach, ranking 10th in total defense this year.

He previously made stops at Arkansas, Wisconsin, Iowa State, San Diego State and Drake. This will be his first time serving as a head coach, though.

Ash will be tasked with getting Rutgers to the next level nationally. The Scarlet Knights have made a bowl game in nine of the past 11 years. They have finished ranked just once during that span, however, and struggled to a 4-8 mark this season.

The Scout report notes Ash emerged as a "high-interest candidate" right away, so Rutgers is getting a preferred choice. Now he must prove himself as a good program-builder—like the man he coached under with the Buckeyes, Urban Meyer.