When the blueprint for Ohio State to steal the College Football Playoff national title from Alabama was laid out two years ago, Chris Ash was one of the chiefs architects.
Ash not only experienced the circumstances of a four-team tournament and coached many of the Buckeyes during his two-year stint as defensive coordinator, he also faced his former recruits as a first-year Rutgers coach during a 58-0 loss on Oct. 1.
No. 2 Ohio State (11-1) will face No.3 Clemson (12-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday night in the Fiesta Bowl.
Ash is one of only three opposing coaches -- along with Auburn's Gus Malzahn and USC's Clay Helton -- to face two of the four semifinalists.