Kirk Ciarrocca to Accept Offensive Coordinator Job at Rutgers

Photo: John Autey - Pioneer Press

Minnesota Gophers offensive coordinator, Kirk Ciarrocca, is being courted heavily by Rutgers for the same position. This according to Pete Thamel (ESPN) and others.

Ciarrocca was PJ Fleck’s offensive coordinator for 7 seasons going back to his first year as head coach at Western Michigan in 2013. He was almost hired away by West Virginia before the 2019 season, before finally jumping ship in 2020 in favor of Penn State.

The Pennsylvania native lasted just one season in his home state before being fired. After spending on year as an “offensive analyst” at West Virginia, Ciarrocca jumped back into Fleck’s boat for the 2022 season. Ciarrocca would be the third coach this season that Fleck has lost.

Coaches Jumping Ship

First was running back’s coach, Kenni Burns, who fled for the head coaching job at Kent State. Then yesterday, cornerbacks coach and co-defensive coordinator, Paul Haynes, was reportedly ready to accept a job at rival Wisconsin.

But Kirk Ciarrocca leaving on a lateral move for Rutgers is a kick to the gut of PJ Fleck’s program. He’s only been back on staff for one season and, though he has coaching experience with the Scarlet Knights and with Greg Schiano, a move to New Jersey is absolutely a downgrade from the position he held at Minnesota. Even if he’s getting a small bump in pay.

kirk ciarrocca rutgers minnesota offensive coordinator
Photo: John Autey – Pioneer Press
So Long Kirk Ciarrocca

The yearly rumors about Ciarrocca flying the Dinkytown coop were beyond annoying anyway. Leaving for Penn State was bad timing but explainable. But Kirk, you operated one of the worst passing attacks in the Big Ten last season and got a raise for it.

Instead of looking for greener pastures, Ciarrocca should have been in the lab with Athan Kaliakmanis trying to find a way to 9 wins next season with both Ohio State and Michigan on the schedule.

Seriously though… Rutgers? Give me a fucking break.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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