Chris Ash says Rutgers' recruiting camp wasn't retaliation against Michigan

Chris Ash says Rutgers' recruiting camp wasn't retaliation against Michigan

MADISON — There was no need for Rutgers coach Chris Ash to make any inflammatory comments about Michigan or coach Jim Harbaugh on Wednesday. Ash had already made his statement by scheduling a recruiting camp on the same date at the same time as Michigan's camp in New Jersey.

While 1,000 high school players spread out over three fields at Farleigh Dickinson's Madison campus on Wednesday evening, Ash downplayed any bad blood with Harbaugh, who was the headliner at a satellite camp 30 miles away at Paramus Catholic High.

 "I commend Coach Harbaugh for what he's doing," Ash said. "He's done a great job of getting his brand and Michigan's brand out there around the nation, promoting the game of football. What he's done is force a lot of other coaches to think outside the box and go out and do the same things. We're just excited to be able to come out and coach some football and we're thrilled about the turnout." If Rutgers' camp, which also included Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and his staff, truly wasn't in response to Michigan's infiltration of New Jersey, it's a huge coincidence that Ash just happened to schedule his camp at the exact time as Harbaugh's. "People can say what they want," Ash said. "I'm just excited about our event. I'm excited about the coaches that came to work with these guys. Thrilled about the interest in our program and the turnout tonight. I'm really thrilled for the state of New Jersey. To be able to host two events like this is outstanding."

As the camp hoopla mushroomed, Paramus Catholic came into the crosshairs of Rutgers fans, culminating in a prank by students on the eve of Wednesday's camps. With Paramus Catholic producing top recruits annually, Ash has no interest in creating friction with the North Jersey powerhouse. "It's not about us and Paramus. It's not about us and Michigan. It's about trying to brand ourselves and promote the game of football," Ash said. "Unfortunately I think it's been portrayed that way. That's unfortunate. That's not what this is about. We're out here just trying to have a good time and coach some ball."

Ohio State's involvement in the camp seemed to put Rutgers' in the middle of the Buckeyes' longstanding rivalry with Michigan. "I don't feel that," said Ash, who was Ohio State's defensive coordinator for the past two years. "You guys may feel that. I've put my head down and gone to work. Whatever is out there is out there. I don't read a lot of it. I don't look at. I just try to do the best job I can with our players and our program." Ash said the high school prospects are the winners in the situation, as over 1,500 players participated in the two camps on Wednesday. While Rutgers may discover a recruit or two during the camp, there was another benefit for the program, even if Ash didn't want to feed the media frenzy with his comments. "It helps us evaluate a lot of talent out here, but what are a lot of people talking about? They're talking about Rutgers football," Ash said. "Especially when you are a new coach and a new program, it's a lot about marketing yourself and putting together events that people get excited about. That's what we're doing."

source: nj