NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Florida International football Coach Mario Cristobal has turned down a similar job with Rutgers, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Monday.
The newspaper, citing "two people familiar with the situation," said Cristobal opted to stay at FIU only hours after emerging as the leading candidate to replace Greg Schiano.
Cristobal's representatives met with Rutgers officials for most of Sunday, reportedly to iron out the details of a contract.
Cristobal was an assistant on Schiano's Rutgers staff from 2001-2003.
Schiano left abruptly last week after 11 seasons at the helm of the Scarlet Knights, accepting an offer to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cristobal's decision leaves interim Coach Kyle Flood as the leading candidate to succeed Schiano in the Rutgers job, The Star-Ledger said.
