UH receivers coach Mehringer headed to Rutgers as OC

HOUSTON - University of Houston receivers coach Drew Mehringer has been hired by Rutgers to become the offensive coordinator for the Scarlet Knights.

Mehringer will stay with the Cougars through the Peach Bowl when they play Florida State on New Year’s Eve in Atlanta, GA.

“Extremely proud of him and for him, “ said Tom Herman, University of Houston coach, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

“He’s certainly ready. Last year was the first time in a long time I’d coached without him.”

Mehringer was a student assistant while working with Herman at Rice (2007-08).

He was a graduate assistant at Iowa State (2010-11)  and Ohio State (2012-13)  with Herman before becoming the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at James Madison, where he called plays in 2014.

Mehringer was reunited with Herman in January when he was named UH’s receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.

“He’s been my right-hand man for a long, long time,” Herman said. “It’s the nature of the business and he needs to go and move forward with his career.

“He’ll probably be one of, if not the youngest (age28) offensive coordinators in a Power Five conference.

First things first, Mehringer will continue working with UH’s receivers, preparing them for Florida State.

“I do appreciate him and his loyalty for sticking around through the bowl game,” Herman said.  “It’s great for our offensive continuity and our staff and the receivers.

“It allows me a little bit more time to try to get my ducks in a row to try to hire a replacement.”

Mehringer will go to work for new Rutgers coach Chris Ash, former defensive coordinator at Ohio State.