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Another Gophers Football Coach Plucked by NFL Team

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Ted Schwerzler | Last updated Feb 7, 2025 2:14 PM ET

If there has been a constant for P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers coaching staff this offseason it’s that they are on to bigger and better things. After an up and down season ended with a victory in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the 8-year head coach has seen multiple assistant coaches exit for other jobs.

In January, Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman went to Miami for that same role. Danny Collins took over his spot a while later with an internal promotion. Both Kevin Kane and Mariano Sori-Marin were added to the staff ass well.

This week another one of his assistants has accepted a job that equals a promotion. This time it’s a leap to the NFL.

Nic McKissic-Luke leaving Minnesota Gophers for NFL

There are certain position coaches that seem to carry a significant amount of weight. At Minnesota, it would seem running backs coach Nic McKissic-Luke falls into that category. The Gophers have had a stable of talented runners in recent seasons. Now someone else will need to coach them up.

The #Jets are targeting University of Minnesota’s Nic McKissic-Luke for their running backs coach job, sources tell me and @RyanBurnsMN for @CBSSports/@247Sports.

At Minnesota, he’s coached standout running back Darius Taylor, who rushed for 10 touchdowns this season.… pic.twitter.com/wvOgu18vkS
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 7, 2025

The New York Jets recently hired Aaron Glenn as their next head coach. Former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman is also part of the organization. McKissic-Luke will be looking to get the most out of Breece Hall and former Wisconsin Badger Braelon Allen.

McKissic-Luke joined the Gophers coaching staff in January of 2023 after working for Northern Illinois. He worked as the Gophers running back coach the past two seasons and helped star running back Darius Taylor to blossom.

DARIUS TAYLOR CANNOT BE STOPPED ‍♂️

His 3️⃣rd TD of the day is an 80-yard rushing TD #B1GFootball on @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/lso5BHrt9m
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2024

Over two seasons with the Gophers thus far, Taylor has played in 18 games and has 1,785 yards rushing. He has added 15 touchdowns and really emerged as a pass-catcher this past fall.

Fleck’s assistant losses have largely been to significant increases elsewhere. McKissic-Luke should be in line for a raise with the Jets. It remains to be seen where Fleck will turn for his replacement. Gophers legend Mohamed Ibrahim just took a coaching opportunity with Kent State.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

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