With more new faces on the field, sideline, and within the buildings overall, many wonder
how their leadership plus football knowledge can swiftly but successfully be passed onto the
minds of the Las Vegas Raiders. One of these new faces has been assigned to be the
Co-Defensive Backs Coach, Chris Ash. Chris Ash is sharing the helm as DB Coach alongside
Veteran NFL Coach Jason Simmons. However, the reasoning for the discussion only focusing
on Coach Ash, is to stay consistent including being anti-rambling. Now what will be shown
throughout the text is Chris Ash’s football history as a football player, assistant, and coach from
College to the NFL. This history will involve numbers, statistics, and schematics (if available). A
simple explanation as to “why all of this information?” In order to know how the team will
function, is to know who is functioning the team in the first place. Let’s get to know Chris Ash.
1992-1995: The College Football Player
At the start of his College-Football Level, Chris Ash played at the Safety position for the
Drake University Bulldogs (Disclaimer: Statistics are unavailable). Drake would mostly focus
on education rather than attempts to achieve the opportunity to play as a Professional.
However, Ash would still value the game as a career. Once Ash earned his Bachelor’s degree,
he went to seek out his Masters while still holding onto his passion for Football. This led to Ash
learning the game not in the player perspective, but the coaching perspective.
1995-2002: The Graduate Assistant
Drake University (1995-2000)
Before returning to Football, Chris Ash was contemplating how to rework his life due to
the choices he will be making for his future. Afterwards, in 1997, Ash would return to the field as
a Graduate Assistant for the Bulldogs (Disclaimer: Limited Information due to Drake
University downgrading from the NCAA to the Pioneer Football League from 1993-2006).
Ash would be quickly promoted for the Defensive Coordinator position during the 1998-99
Season. Ash remained as the Defensive Play-Caller for 2 Seasons. During this time period, Ash
helped the Bulldogs earn 3 consecutive winning-seasons including winning the League
Championship (1998-99 Season). After the 1999-2000 Season, Ash transferred to a different
school, reasoning to earn his Masters while also wanting to experience the NCAA.
Iowa State (2000-02)
Taking the opportunity to coach at a higher-level, Chris Ash was reasonably demoted (or
starting out as) back to a Graduate Assistant after joining the Iowa State Cyclones. During this
season, the Cyclones would end their 2000-01 Season with a 9-3 Record. Additionally, the team
also won the 2000 Insight Bowl against the Pittsburgh Panthers 37-29. This was Iowa State’s
best Football Season since the 1978-79 College-Football Season. The team won 8 games but
lost the Hall of Fame Classic (Bowl), after that, the school won no more than 6 games until the
2000-01 Season. For the following season, the Cyclones would result with a 7-5 Record but
they lost the 2001 Independence Bowl to the Alabama Crimson Tide 14-13.
2002-16: The College Football Coach
Iowa State (2002-07)
After attending two great seasons with Iowa State, Chris Ash got a promotion to be the
next Defensive Backs Coach for the 2002-03 College-Season. For the next 5 seasons, however,
Coach Ash will remain as the Cyclones DB Coach for the time being. During his time with Iowa
State as the DB Coach, Coach Ash helped Coach a turnover frenzy DB Room. In 62 games, the
Defensive Backs produced 50 Interceptions (plus 9 Defensive Touchdowns), this also includes 5
Forced Fumbles, 3 Recovered and 2 of those Recoveries converted into Defensive Touchdowns
(Disclaimer: This is in 36 Games due to Fumble statistics not being properly recorded
until 2004). While Coach Ash remained as Iowa State’s DB Coach, the Cyclones were 27-35
(13-27 vs Conference), earning only 2 winning-seasons and 3 Bowl-Appearances (winning only
1 of them).
Despite Coach Ash’s success with the DB Room’s production, only 1 Defensive Back
was drafted into the NFL. This DB would be the only Iowa State DB drafted between
1992-Present Day. During the 2005 NFL Draft Day 2, DB Ellis Hobbs, was drafted by the New
England Patriots as the 84th Overall Pick (3rd Round). Ellis Hobbs was the best DB during his
College-Career with Iowa State. Producing 9 Interceptions for 121 Return Yards and 1
Defensive Touchdown. Hobbs best season would be his last year in College.
Ellis Hobbs 2004-05 Season Statistics (12 Games):
● Tackles: 64
○ Solo Tackles: 47
● Sacks: 1
● Forced Fumbles: 1
● Interceptions: 5
○ Return-Yardage: 117 (23.4/Return)
○ Defensive Touchdowns: 1
● Kick Returns: 12
○ Return-Yardage: 288 (24/Return)
With these Stats, Hobbs was 2nd in the most Interceptions, Defensive-Yardage from
INTs, Defensive Touchdowns from INTs, and Yards per Kick Return within the Big-12
Conference. Hobbs athleticism was top-tier level, the problem with Hobbs though, was his
height (5’9” ; 190lbs). That is what caused Hobbs to land as a Day-2 Draft Pick. Hobbs would
still be a key-factor for the Patriots however (Was selected to the 2005 NFL All-Rookie Team).
Started 49/63 Games as the CB2 (Started 7/8 Playoff-Games), while also being evidently
claimed to be one of the best Kick-Returning Specialists in Football during the mid to late 2000s.
One of the 56 KR Specialists in League history to score at least 3 KR Touchdowns and one of
the 18 KR Specialists in League history to produce at least 26.5 Yards per Kick Return. Hobbs
also held the NFL Record for longest KR and KR Touchdown (108 Yards ; 2007) for 7 years,
now being one of the only 4 KR Specialists in League history to produce at least 108 Yards in 1
Kick-Return.
With the success of Hobbs and the Iowa State Defensive Back Room (including
receiving his Masters Degree from Iowa State; 2005), Coach Ash was given more opportunities
to possibly earn promotions quicker than he would like to be patient for. Coach Ash would leave
his job as the Iowa State Cyclones’ DB Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the same job
positions but in a bigger market/media area.
San Diego State (2007-08)
Coach Ash joined the San Diego State Aztecs for the 2007-08 College-Season as their
new Defensive Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Despite the Aztecs experiencing
another losing season (4-8), the season would still favor Coach Ash due to improvements within
the DB Room noticeably taking effect within the passing-game.
2006-07 vs 2007-08 DB Room Season-Statistics:
Due to the turmoil of wasted College-Seasons, Coach Ash would go back to Iowa State
after spending two Seasons with San Diego State.
Iowa State (2009-10)
The Cyclones rehired Coach Ash at the same job position, as the DB Coach and
Recruiting Coordinator for the 2009-10 College-Season. During the 2 seasons of Coach Ash’s
absence, the Cyclones had back-to-back no more than 3 wins of a season. At the end of the
2009-10 Season, however, the Cyclones had a 7-6 Record while also winning the 2009 Insight
Bowl against the Minnesota Golden Gophers 14-13. Comparing just the passing-gameplay from
the DB Room before and after Coach Ash returned, in 2 Seasons, the DB Room produced 14
interceptions. Meanwhile, Coach Ash’s DB Room in one season produced 11 Interceptions.
After partaking in his successful return with Iowa State, Coach Ash attempted to find
success outside of Iowa once again. This time, it works out.
Wisconsin (2010-13)
The Wisconsin Badgers hired Coach Ash as the next Defensive Backs Coach for the
2010-11 College-Season. The Badgers had already been successful as they were before Coach
Ash arrived. Ranking as the 16th best team in the NCAA while also resulting with a 10-3 Record
plus a win against the Miami Hurricanes at the Champs Sports Bowl (20-14). Wisconsin also
had 4 of their players drafted within the Top 100 Overall Picks of the 2009 NFL Draft (One of
these players was Edge Rusher Matt Shaughnessy; Drafted as the 3rd Round, 71st Overall Pick
by the Oakland Raiders; Started 29/51 Games for Oakland). Luckily for Coach Ash, the Badgers
still found success with him.
After the 2010-11 Season, the Wisconsin Badgers were ranked as the 7th Best Team in
the NCAA (at one point ranked as the 4th best during the season). The team resulted with a
11-2 Record but a loss at the Rose Bowl against the Andy Dalton led TCU Horned Frogs
(21-19). Coach Ash’s DBs would also perform at a high-level.
2010-11 DB Room Season-Statistics:
● Tackles: 335
○ Solo Tackles: 238
○ Tackles For Loss: 8.5
● Sacks: 0
● Forced Fumbles: 3
○ Defensive Touchdowns: 1
● Pass-Breakups: 24
● Interceptions: 8
○ Defensive Touchdowns: 3
During the 2011 Off-Season, for the first time since 2002, Coach Ash was given a
promotion. For the next two seasons, Coach Ash became the Wisconsin Badgers Defensive
Coordinator (while also still being the Primary DB Coach). Coach Ash would need to prove that
he can teach, guide, and play-call an entire Defense at the College-Level. That he did. At the
end of the 2011-12 Season, the Badgers were ranked the 10th Best Team in the NCAA (at some
point during the season they were ranked 4th best) with a 11-3 Record. The Badgers also
competed once again at the Rose Bowl, but sadly lost 45-38 to the Oregon Ducks (This is the
same season that Russell Wilson joined the Wisconsin Badgers, who was then drafted from the
2012 NFL Draft as the 3rd Round, 75th Overall Pick by the Seattle Seahawks).
Coach Ash’s Defense had been deemed as one of the top Defense in College. Ranking 1 in Defensive Passing-Efficiency and Total Defense within the Big-10 Conference. Coach Ash’s Defense would also be ranked by the NCAA as the 15th Best Defense, resulting 4th in
Fewest Passing Yards Allowed (163.6 per Game) and 13th in Fewest Scores Allowed (19pts per
Game).
The following year, The Wisconsin Badgers were sadly not ranked within the Top
Football Colleges of the NCAA (At some point they were ranked the 12th best). The team
resulted with an 8-5 Record with Head Coach Bret Bielema, after leaving the team, the Badgers
lost 20-14 against the Zach Ertz led Stanford Cardinals at the 2012 Rose Bowl (That would be
Wisconsin’s 3rd Consecutive Rose Bowl appearance and lost).
Coach Ash’s Defense was still one of the top Defenses in College Football. Ranked as
the 15th Best Defense once again. Coach Ash’s defense was also ranked by the NCAA as the
22nd Best in Defensive Passing-Efficiency and 24th against the Run-Game (128.9 Rushing
Yards per Game). The Defense had even allowed 19.1pts per Game, which led to the Badgers
Defense ranking 17th in Fewest Scores Allowed.
During the 2013 Off-Season, Coach Ash still wanted to earn higher status in his Football
Career. In order to do this, Coach Ash had to leave Wisconsin and join a bigger name with
higher competition to get more noticed.
Arkansas (2013-14)
Luckily for Coach Ash that his former Head Coach and current friend, Bret Bielema,
hired Ash as the new Defensive Coordinator (and Primary DB Coach) of the Arkansas
Razorbacks (SEC Conference). Unfortunately for Coach Ash, things were not going as planned.
The Razorbacks finished the season with a 3-9 Record, this includes not winning a single game
against any SEC Conference team for the year (0-8). The season had been deemed worse than
the last, where the team resulted with 4 wins and 2 of them were against Conference teams. On
a positive note, Coach Ash was still capable of improving the Razorbacks defense by a
noticeable margin. One stat to take note is that Arkansas was ranked 113th in Fewest Passing
Yards Allowed after the 2012-13 season. After Coach Ash joined Arkansas’ for the season, the
Defense ranked 72nd in Fewest Passing Yards Allowed.
Arkansas Razorbacks 2012-13 vs 2013-14 Seasons Defensive Statistics:
Coach Ash was able to coach-up notable defensive players such as DB Trey Flowers,
DL Chris Smith, and DT Darius Philon. Unexpectedly, for Coach Ash, opportunities are still
available to him. These opportunities are unexpected due to the higher level of status that will be handed onto Coach Ash. So, after one season with Arkansas, Coach Ash left the
Razorbacks.
Ohio State (2014-16)
Hired by the (Head Coach) Urban Meyer led Ohio State Buckeyes as the new
Secondary Coach, Coach Ash was also assigned to be the Co-Defensive Coordinator,
alongside Linebacker Coach Luke Fickell. Both Coaches would help each other coach one of
the top defenses in College Football. And what is the best way to start out this duo? Well. In
Coach Ash’s perspective, the greatest football season in his entire Football Career.
For the 2014-15 Season, the Buckeyes were ranked as the #1 Team in the Nation.
Obviously this can be due to resulting in a 14-1 Record (8-0 vs Big-10 Conference), winning
42-35 against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the 2014 Sugar Bowl, and winning the 2015 (also
the first ever) National College Football Championship against the Marcus Mariota led Oregon
Ducks 42-20. For the Defense, the Buckeyes were ranked as the 19th Best Defense in the
Nation. 22nd in Fewest Scores Allowed (22pts Allowed per Game). To Coach Ash’s credit, the
Buckeyes ranked 4th for the most Interceptions produced (24; this is before the Sugar Bowl and
National Championship).
For the 2015-16 Season, the Buckeyes were ranked as the 4th Best Team in the Nation
(were ranked as the #1 Team a few times during the season). The team resulted in a 12-1
Record (7-1 vs Big-10 Conference), winning 44-28 against the (Head Coach) Brian Kelly led
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the 2015 Fiesta Bowl. For the Defense, the Buckeyes were ranked
as the 9th Best Defense in the Nation. 2nd in Fewest Scores Allowed (15.1pts Allowed per
Game) and 9th in Most Sacks committed (2.93 Sacks per Game). To Coach Ash’s credit, the
Buckeyes were ranked 11th in most Interceptions produced (1.0 per Game).
Notable Players that played for the Buckeyes Defense during the 2014-16 Seasons:
After experiencing the best Coaching tenure in his Football Career, Coach Ash was
finally given the opportunity to Coach Football at the next level. This next level? The Head
Coaching position for College Football.
2016-19: The Head Coach of College Football
Chris Ash agreed to a 5-Year, $11M (fully guaranteed) contract with Rutgers University to
be the next Head Coach of the Scarlet Knights Football Team. A sad quick note for those that
do not know, Head Coach Chris Ash was nowhere close to being successful as he hoped to be.
Producing no more than 4 wins each season, fired midway through his 4th season. Chris Ash
would be deemed as either the 2nd worst, or the literal worst Head Coach in Rutgers Football
History. Resulting in a College Head Coaching Career Record: 8-32 (0.200) (3-27 vs
Conference Teams).
The Defense wouldn’t be able to help Chris Ash’s credits. Each Season, the Defensive
would be ranked 116th, then 77th, backwards to 89th, to then being worse than the first year,
being ranked 123rd. This performance put Chris Ash at a low-point in his career. Luckily for Ash,
opportunities were still available, just not the opportunities he hoped for.
2019-21: The Demoted Play-Caller
Chris Ash was offered to be hired as a Defensive Analyst by former Offensive Co-Worker
(Iowa State and Ohio State) Tom Herman, Head Coach of the Texas Longhorns. This would
happen a few weeks after Ash lost his Head Coaching position at Rutgers University. During the
2020 Off-Season, Chris Ash was offered a promotion to be the new Defensive Coordinator and
Primary Secondary Coach. This opportunity gave light to Coach Ash’s mind and self-being. A
big learning experience for the Defensive-Minded Coach, a comeback attempt if you may call it.
For the 2020-21 College-Season, the Texas Longhorns were ranked as the 19th Best
Team in College-Football (at some point they were ranked the 8th Best). The team resulted with
a 7-3 Record (5-3 vs Big-12 Conference Teams), winning 55-23 against the Colorado Buffaloes
at the 2020 Alamo Bowl. Coach Ash helped the Defense improve as the Defensive Play-Caller.
The Defense would go from the 79th to the 58th Nationally Ranked Defense.
2019-20 vs 2020-21 Texas Longhorns Per-Game Defensive Statistics:
Notable NFL Defensive Players who were Coached by Chris Ash:
● Joseph Ossai (Touched Mahomes at the AFC Championship)
○ Linebacker/Edge-Rusher
○ Drafted 3rd Round ; 69th Overall Pick (Cincy Bengals)
● Ta’Quon Graham
○ Defensive Lineman
○ Drafted 5th Round ; 148th Overall Pick (Atlanta Falcons)
● Caden Sterns
○ Defensive Back
○ Drafted 5th Round ; 152nd Overall Pick (Denver Broncos)
After being given this appreciable opportunity, Coach Ash was offered the chance (which
he obviously took) to Coach in the National Football League. This would mean that after one
season as the Texas Longhorns Defensive Coordinator, Coach Ash not only leaves Texas, but
College-Football for the unforeseeable future.
2021-Present Day: The NFL Coach
Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-22)
Urban Meyer hires Chris Ash as the new Defensive Backs Coach (primarily Safeties
Coach). Now everyone knows how this season went. Jaguars are, yet again, the worst team in
the league. Urban Meyer is possibly the worst Head Coach in Modern NFL history. Trevor
Lawrence learned what losing is like for the first time. If you don’t know at least that, either
you’re new or live under a rock. The Offense was horrific, the defense was okay at best. The
passing-game at least improved compared to the previous season (ranked 27th in 2020-21;
ranked 17th in 2021-22).
Coach Ash’s 2021-22 Safety Room’s Season Statistics:
● Tackles: 289
○ Solo Tackles: 222
○ Tackles For Loss: 5
○ Missed Tackles: 38 (13.15%)
● Sacks: 1.5
○ QB-Hits: 4
○ Pressures: 10
● Forced Fumbles: 2
● Completions/Targets Allowed: 139/193 (72%)
● Passing Yards Allowed: 1428 (10.3/CMP)
● Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 14
● Pass-Breakups: 14
● Interceptions: 3
● Passer-Rating Allowed: 110.6
Coach Ash’s 2021-22 Safety Room vs 2020-21 Safety Room Passing-Game Season-Statistics:
After a horrible first-go as an NFL Coach, Coach Ash would leave Jacksonville and head
back west into Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022-Present Day)
Coach Ash was hired by The McZiege Regime as the new Defensive Backs Coach. Ash
has been sharing the title for Defensive Backs with Las Vegas’ Defensive Passing Game
Coordinator, Jason Simmons. This is because Coach Ash is primarily the Safeties Coach while
Simmons coaches and coordinates all Defensive Backs. Now details focusing on what
happened last season are a waste of time for some. Statistics won’t be presented due to the
Season relying on one Safety, while the rest of the Safety room was having backups and UDFAs
play. Similarly to the other coaches, Coach Ash wasn’t having a fair amount of time to work his
magic.
But, After spending over a full-year with the Silver and Black, Coach Ash now has
something to work with. Tre’Von Moehrig trying to make a comeback/breakout season. Marcus
Epps coming off a Super-Bowl loss. Christopher Smith II becoming a potential steal of the draft.
Isaiah Pola-Mao working on his versatility and consistency. There can be a few more players
named, but these are the common names spoken upon this Off-Season. The hope that Coach
Ash can boost the capabilities of the Safety Room is a major need. Can Raider Nation trust
him? We’ll have to see. This is not a forceful agenda, just an informational text. At the end of the
text, there can only be one question for now for Raider Nation.
Do You Believe In Coach Ash?
Chris Ash’s Career Record With Every Team He Is Associated With Each Year:
(Disclaimer: * = PFB ; ** = Bowl-Game ; *** = Conference + Bowl-Game ; **** = Conference + Bowl-Game + National Championship)
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