Former Marshall defensive coordinator Chris Rippon has landed a new job as the defensive coordinator at Columbia University. Columbia announced the hire on Thursday.
“Chris’s background fits well with our team philosophy. He has coached at the highest levels of college football, and knows ‘New York’ high school football. He is committed to making this transition easy for our players, which is very easy to say and hard to do,” Head Coach Pete Mangurian said in a press release.
Rippon stepped down after three seasons as the head of the Thundering Herd defense in November; just hours after Marshall season ending 65-59 loss to East Carolina. In 2012, Rippon’s defense allowed 50 points or more four times and two teams were able to clear the 60-point mark.
While Marshall’s offense was statistically among the best in the conference and nation, The Herd’s defense ranked among the worst. Marshall gave up 43.1 points per game and teams averaged 456.8 total yards a game. Entering the season finale against East Carolina, Marshall was ranked 97th in the country in total defense, 106th in rushing defense and 116th in scoring defense. The Herd also ranked 92nd in the country in sacks this season.
Before joining Marshall’s staff prior to the 2010 season, Rippon had spent the 2008 season as special teams coordinator at Rutgers and held the same job from 2005-2008 at Old Miss. Rippon was also the defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2003 at Syracuse under Paul Pasqualoni.