The Scarlet Knights are set to hire James Madison linebackers coach Zach Sparber as a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, according to multiple reports. Sparber played for Bergen Catholic and spent the 2017 season as the Crusaders’ offensive line coach. He was a two-year starter in high school and played college football at Brown.

Hitschler spent the 2024 season on Kalen DeBoer's Alabama staff before the two parted after the Tide's season, which ended in missing the College Football Playoff and a bowl loss to Michigan. For the past three seasons, Histchler has been the co-defensive coordinator at Power Conference programs.

The Rutgers football team's search for a new defensive coordinator has come to an end. James Madison linebackers coach Zach Sparber is set to be the new co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Scarlet Knights,

Rutgers is expected to dip into an elite Group of Five program to fill the two vacant spots on its defensive coaching staff, according to multiple reports. James Madison linebackers coach Zach Sparber is set to be hired by the Scarlet Knights to serve as their co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach,

Rutgers is set to hire former JMU Linebackers coach Zach Sparber as its new co-defensive coordinator. This hire fills the coaching vacancy that has been open since Joe Harasymiak left to become head coach at the University of Massachusetts in early December.