PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano said during preseason in 2022 that his team would go only as far as the offensive line would take them.
Prescient words from Schiano then, as his offensive line struggled at times during a 4-8 season.
This offseason, however, Schiano says that the offensive line is showing some encouraging signs. Pat Flaherty, in his first season with Rutgers as their offensive line coach, is being brought in to coach up a group that certainly had some difficulties last year.
Flaherty, along with offensive line assistant Scott Vallone, are being tasked with turning the line into a functional unit that can compete in the Big Ten on a weekly basis. On Saturday, Schiano commented that he has seen some positives emerge from the group.
“We’re getting better. It’s small steps but we’re definitely getting better. Coaches Flaherty, coach Vallone they’re all doing a great job,” Schiano said following Saturday’s scrimmage.
“It’s a cumulative build. We just have to keep building, but some guys are stepping up that you know we haven’t heard a lot from. They’re doing things that catch your eye and that’s once that happens then that happens more and more and that’s that’s what I’m hoping for these next two weeks.”
Flaherty’s resume needs no recapping, given his two decades in the NFL. During his 12 seasons spent with the New York Giants as their offensive line coach, Flaherty won two Super Bowls.
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