Andrew Aurich is fitting in well at his new spot.
After coaching the Rutgers offensive line for the past two seasons, he was moved to running backs coach this offseason, swapping places with Augie Hoffman. The switch ends a six-year run at the position for Aurich, who previously coached the offensive line at Princeton from 2016 to 2019, and puts him in charge of a position he coached for just one season in his career (at Princeton in 2011).
But he’s adjusted well to his new spot with the Scarlet Knights, he said Thursday, thanks to the group he’s inherited.
“It’s been great so far,” Aurich said Thursday. “It was a very easy transition because of the group of guys I’m coaching. It’s been seamless.”
Aurich arrived in the running backs room at a time of transition. Isaih Pacheco, who led the Scarlet Knights in rushing yards for each of the last three seasons, is pursuing a professional career, leaving massive shoes to fill.
Fourth-year Aaron Young, who is out for the spring as he recovers from injury, and third-year Kyle Monangai are strong candidates to take many of the 14 carries Pacheco averaged per game last season. But between incoming four-star prospect Samuel Brown and underclassmen Jamier Wright-Collins and Al-Shadee Salaam, there is plenty of young talent behind them competing for snaps.
“It’s a unique set of guys that consistently work extremely hard,” Aurich said of his group. “They’re looking every day to get out here and get better, across the board, the entire group. Fun group, great personalities.”
Aurich’s new unit works hand-in-hand with his old one, so he’s gotten a good look at the Scarlet Knights’ revamped offensive line throughout camp. He said both units have meshed “really well,” and is impressed with what he’s seen from the line.
“Coach Hoffman is doing a great job with that group,” Aurich said. “Those guys who came in, they’re here for a reason. They’re all business and that’s how they go about their day every day. They’re all great guys with great personalities, so it hasn’t been hard for anyone to mesh with them.”
He’s been impressed with his unit, too.
“I think this entire group has that,” Aurich said when asked about Young’s versatility out of the backfield. “You’re seeing signs of it throughout this spring.”
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.
Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.
