In PISCATAWAY, N.J., Jared Keyte has gained immense respect within the Rutgers football program due to his exemplary performance as the defensive line coach. Keyte has taken on the challenging task of leading the team’s defensive line after Marquise Watson developed a health issue prior to the season opener against Northwestern.
Watson, known for his affable and gregarious nature, is highly regarded as a defensive line coach and has played a significant role in the development of the position group, making them one of the top in the Big Ten over the past two years.
However, Keyte is no stranger to the position and brings a strong resume to the table. Despite not being an interim positional coach, he has made a lasting impression while filling in for Watson during his recovery.
“Coach Keyte has done a really good job. You know, he’s been a defensive coordinator at the FCS level,” said head coach Greg Schiano, praising Keyte’s performance.
“He’s a very knowledgeable football coach and he was working kind of in a quality control position with the defensive line. And when coach Watson fell ill, he stepped in and has done a very good job. He’s kept it kept it together.”
This is Keyte’s second stint at Rutgers, as he previously served as a quality control coach working with the linebackers in 2015. He later went on to become the special teams coordinator and defensive coordinator at Maine in 2021 and the program’s defensive coordinator in the previous year.
Keyte joined Rutgers in March as a quality control coach, and with the support of defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak and linebackers coach Corey Hetherman, he has managed his workload effectively.
“And really, we have some good leadership at the position. I think between all of them, they’ve really made it work,” Schiano acknowledged the collective effort.
“Coach Harasymiak, coach Hetherman – everybody kind of just pitching in and that’s what families do when something happens like that.”
This story originally appeared on Rutgers Wire.
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
