P.J. Fleck pulls from the Greg Schiano coaching tree again
ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that the Minnesota Golden Gophers are set to hire Rutgers linebackers coach Corey Hetherman as their new defensive coordinator, replacing Joe Rossi after he departed to take the same position at Michigan State.
Hetherman was mentioned as a candidate on our hot board back in December. He has been the Scarlet Knights’ linebackers coach the last two seasons, but prior to that he served as defensive coordinator at James Madison and Maine. His tenure at Maine coincided with Harasymiak’s stint as head coach of the Black Bears. Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck has also been known to hire from the Greg Schiano coaching tree, so this hire follows that pattern.
He served as defensive coordinator at James Madison from 2019-21 and his defenses were among the elite in the FCS year in and year out. Under Hetherman, the Dukes ranked in the Top 10 nationally in total defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense in each of his three seasons.
At Maine, his defense improved each season over the course of this three-year tenure as defensive coordinator. By his third season, Hetherman oversaw a defense that ranked 17th nationally in total defense, first in rushing defense, and 30th in scoring defense.
We’ll have more on Hetherman in the coming days and weeks.