When a program legend comes back home, it’s always a headline-grabbing move. But according to On3’s Nick Kosko, Anthony Ashnault’s return to Rutgers is more than just a feel-good story—it’s one of the best coaching hires of the entire off-season, ranking fifth nationally.

Ashnault’s legacy at Rutgers is nothing short of iconic. During his four years "On the Banks," he became the face of RU Wrestling, electrifying the old RAC with every match. His resume reads like a wrestling hall of fame checklist: a 124-19 record, four All-American honors, three Big Ten titles, and the crowning achievement—a 2019 National Championship. That title put him in a rare and revered place in Rutgers history.

Now, as he returns to Piscataway, the expectations are sky-high. As Kosko notes, Ashnault "should aid the elite New Jersey recruiting efforts and be quite the training partner for the light and middleweights in the room." In a state known for producing top-tier wrestling talent, having a hometown hero with a national title on staff is a massive recruiting advantage.

Head coach Scott Goodale couldn’t contain his excitement when Ashnault was hired back in April. "Anthony has established himself as one of the top young coaches in the country, and I could not be more excited to welcome him back home on staff," Goodale said. "As the program’s all-time wins leader and one of our first national champions, Anthony will be able to show recruits they can win right here at Rutgers and help us take this program to the next level. We’re thrilled to have him back in our room where he belongs."

The hire comes at a pivotal time for Rutgers wrestling. Many Scarlet fans were disappointed when assistant coach Donny Pritzlaff departed for the head coaching job at Columbia—a move that stung even more after Pritzlaff was named Ivy League Coach of the Year in 2026. But Ashnault’s return should help ease that transition. If he can bring the same intensity and success he had as a competitor to the coaching room, Rutgers fans might soon forget about what they lost.