A little more than a year after walking away from the head coaching job at Minnesota because of his health, Jerry Kill is coming back to college football.

Kill on Monday was named the offensive coordinator at Rutgers and handed the challenge of rebuilding what might have been the worst offense in the Big Ten Conference.

The 55-year-old Kill is coming to his new job 25 pounds lighter, taking less medication for his epilepsy and ready to help Chris Ash rebuild a Scarlet Knights program that went 2-10 last season, losing its last nine games, all in the conference.

“In coaching, you never have a chance to get something fixed or get it under control because you can’t take time off to do that,” Kill said after being introduced at his new job. “I needed some time to get it situated and see the right people and get on the right diet and get on the right regime and be able to get healthy.”

Kill had served as the associate athletics director for administration at Kansas State since May. His role was the chief administrator for the university’s football program, and in that role he worked 12-13 hour days, attending practice daily.

“I’m a football coach. I’m a ball coach,” Kill said. “That’s who I am. I enjoy kids. I enjoy that process. I’m a lot smarter than I was a year ago, but more importantly I’ve been seizure-free for a long time and this is the best I’ve felt over 12 years.”

Kill will replace Drew Mehringer, who left after one season to join Tom Herman’s staff at Texas.

In his search for a new coordinator, Ash was looking for an experienced coach who was a leader and developer of coaches and players. He also wanted someone with character that could connect with the players and someone who was compatible with him.