5 things to know about Greg Schiano

USA TODAY reports that Tennessee is close to a deal to make Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano its next head coach.

Here's 5 things to know about Schiano:

New heights in Piscataway

Schiano took over a Rutgers program mired in mediocrity in 2001. Four years later, he had the Scarlet Knights in a bowl game for the first time since 1978. A year later, Rutgers went 11-2 and finished ranked No. 12 in the nation -- a postseason ranking for the first time since 1976. He earned a handful of 2006 coach of the year awards after the season, but never found the same level of success again.

In all, he spent 11 seasons coaching Rutgers with an 68–67 record. He sent running back Ray Rice, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, wide receiver Kenny Britt, safety Devin McCourty and many more to the NFL.

More:USA TODAY: UT Vols finalizing deal with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano

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Did Schiano know?

Schiano worked at Penn State from 1990-95, serving as the defensive backs coach on the staff of convicted child sexual abuser Jerry Sandusky.

Testimony that came to light in 2016 indicated Schiano had direct knowledge that Sandusky was committing child sexual abuse, for which he was later convicted and is serving at least 30 years in prison.

More:Testimony: Greg Schiano, Tom Bradley knew of Sandusky abuse at Penn State

The testimony pointing to Schiano's knowledge came from former Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary, who said former defensive coordinator Tom Bradley told him in 2001 that "another assistant coach had to him in the early 90s about a very similar situation." McQueary testified that Bradley said the assistant coach from the 1990s was Schiano.

Schiano denied having seen any abuse take place. 

NFL experience

Schiano spent two seasons as the head coach of the Tamp Bay Bucaneers from 2012-13. He had only an 11-21 mark before he was let go.

Schiano also has NFL experience with the Chicago Bears. He spent two years as a defensive assistant coach in the mid-1990s before spending one year in 1998 as the defensive backs coach.

Return to college

After not coaching at the college or professional level for a few seasons, Schiano made his return to the collegiate level in 2016 as the Ohio State defensive coordinator.

His Ohio State defense is ranked No. 8 in the nation in 2017, allowing less than 300 yards per game.

Former Bison

Schiano played college football at Bucknell, winning three varsity letters. As a junior, Schiano led the Bison with 114 tackles and earned all-conference honors.

He headed straight for the coaching ranks after his playing career ended, returning to his alma mater Ramapo High School in New Jersey.