Report: Gophers hire defensive coordinator known for ‘super aggressive’ scheme

P.J. Fleck has his new defensive coordinator.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Gophers are set to name Rutgers linebackers coach Corey Hetherman as the new defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota. 

Hetherman just finished his second year as the Scarlet Knights' linebackers coach. Before joining Rutgers, Hetherman was the defensive coordinator for James Madison University from 2019 to 2021, also serving the same role at Maine from 2015 to 2018.

Hetherman is known for an aggressive defense that one former James Madison defensive lineman described as "super aggressive," telling the the Daily News-Record in 2019 that "You blitz every play."

James Madison defense under Hetherman (FCS)

• 2021 - 7th in scoring | 8th in yards | 1st in turnovers | 8th in sacks
• 2020 - 8th in scoring | 5th in yards | 21st in turnovers | 13th in sacks
• 2019 - 3rd in scoring | 1st in yards | 11th in turnovers | 2nd in sacks

Maine defense under Hetherman (FCS)

• 2018 - 30th in scoring | 17th in yards | 3rd in turnovers | 3rd in sacks
• 2017 - 39th in scoring | 35th in yards | 44th in turnovers | 29th in sacks
• 2016 - 50th in scoring | 64th in yards | 53rd in turnovers | 83rd in sacks
• 2015 - 31st in scoring | 19th in yards | 84th in turnovers | 17th in sacks

Hetherman will take over a Gophers defense that fell to 69th in scoring and 56th in yards in 2023 after finishing fourth in points and ninth in yards in 2022. 

He replaces Joe Rossi, who left the Gophers to become the defensive coordinator at Michigan State.