Report: Cristobal headed to Rutgers?

Rutgers is nearing a deal with Florida International coach Mario Cristobal, just days after Greg Schiano departed to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Star-Ledger reported Monday. The 41-year-old Cristobal has reportedly accepted Rutgers' offer and the sides are working on a contract. The hiring must also be approved by the university's Board of Governors. The New York Post reported Monday that Cristobal was a finalist for the vacancy along with interim coach Kyle Flood, who was quickly promoted by Rutgers after Schiano bolted to the NFL. Cristobal, a Miami-born Cuban-American, took over at FIU in 2007 after the Golden Panthers finished 0-12. The team has reached a bowl game in each of the last two seasons, finishing a combined 15-11 in that span. He was named the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in 2010. The imminent hiring comes just 48 hours before national signing day, when high school seniors will officially choose a school. In his 11 seasons, Schiano resurrected the Scarlet Knights' football program, which was 11-44 in the five years before his arrival. The team finished with a winning record in six of the past seven seasons. Cristobal, an offensive lineman at Miami from 1989-92, was an assistant coach at Rutgers under Schiano from 2001-03