FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2009 file photo, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano reacts to play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, in Piscataway, N.J. A person familiar with the negotiations says the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in talks with Schiano to become the team's next coach. The 46-year-old Schiano has been with the Scarlet Knights for 11 seasons, taking them from college football laughingstock to a program that has had winning records in six of the last seven years. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)Mel Evans/Associated Press

Greg Schiano Named Ohio St. DC: Latest Contract Details, Reaction

Daniel KramerDec 11, 2015

Greg Schiano is returning to football and will become Ohio State’s next associate head coach and defensive coordinator, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The team confirmed the hire later Friday, per Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch.

Head coach Urban Meyer issued a statement on the hire, per ESPN's Austin Ward:

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Schiano, who was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and 2013 and held the same position at Rutgers in the 10 years prior, takes over for Chris Ash, who took the head job at Rutgers.

Schiano struggled during his two years in the NFL, but he took a wretched Rutgers team and made it a consistent contender, going to five straight bowl games from 2005-2009 after a 26-year hiatus. In 2006, he was the National Coach of the Year.

Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports shared his insight on the hire:

Schiano has been an NFL analyst for ESPN during the 2015 season, though Ryan Donnelly of Rivals tweeted that he is already actively on the recruiting trail:

Ohio State ranked 10th nationally in total defense (303.5 yards per game), second in scoring defense (14 points) and finished 11-1 a year after winning the national title.

The Buckeyes currently have the No. 1 recruiting class, per 247Sports, and will have high expectations for Schiano to come in and lead another playoff run immediately.