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Former Rutgers defensive coordinator Dave Cohen was the leader of the worst defense in school history.

(John Munson/The Star-Ledger)

It didn't take long for Dave Cohen to find a new job. Fired as Rutgers' defensive coordinator on Dec. 8, Cohen was named defensive line coach at Wake Forest on Thursday.

Cohen, 47, spent two years at Rutgers. He was the linebackers coach in 2012 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2013 after Robb Smith left to join Greg Schiano's staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Under Cohen's watch, the defense allowed the most total yards and the most passing yards in school history.

Cohen also found himself embroiled in an off-field controversy when former cornerback Jevon Tyree accused the coach of verbally abusing and physically threatening him during a study hall incident last spring. That incident and the athletic department's response to it are currently under investigation.

Rutgers coach Kyle Flood said Cohen's firing was strictly a football decision. Flood and Cohen were assistant coaches together at Delaware from 2002-05.

Cohen also shares a background with new Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson. They worked together at Albany from 1989-90, and Cohen served as Clawson's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Fordham from 1999-2001.

By finding a job quickly, Cohen helped Rutgers financially. Cohen's contract ran through June 2015 at a salary of $275,000. Rutgers owed him $383,000 at the time of his firing, but the school is off the hook now that Cohen has a job. Rutgers also avoided paying Cohen a bowl bonus worth nearly $23,000 by firing him immediately after the regular season.

Flood has two open positions on his staff, including defensive coordinator. Special teams coordinator Joe Rossi served as interim defensive coordinator for Rutgers' 29-16 loss to Notre Dame in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28.