Former Golden Gophers DC Lands New MAC Head Coaching Job
P.J. Fleck’s coaching tree is just beginning to branch out, as some of his former assistants have stepped into head coaching roles.
The most recent example is Kenni Burns. Burns who transitioned from coaching running backs for the Minnesota Gophers under Fleck to becoming the head coach at Kent State. Burns has now completed two seasons at the helm of the Golden Flashes, finishing with a rough record of 1-23.
In a move that’s neither surprising nor expected, another former assistant of P.J. Fleck has taken up a head coaching position with a team that’s transitioning into the MAC conference. This adds another branch to Fleck’s coaching tree.
Joe Harasymiak to be the Head Coach at UMass
Remember the name Joe Harasymiak? From 2019 to 2021, Harasymiak served as the safeties coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, also stepping up to co-defensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021.
After that, he moved on to Rutgers, where he took on the role of solo defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024. And now, the latest chapter in his coaching journey sees him heading to UMASS to take the reins of their football program.
Sources: UMass is expected to hire Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak the school’s next head coach. A deal is expected to come together in the near future. He brings strong Northeast ties, including as head coach at Maine. pic.twitter.com/9V6etIYSYx
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 4, 2024
Before joining the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2019, Joe Harasymiak was the head coach at the University of Maine. In just three seasons at the helm, he managed to compile a solid 20-15 record. His tenure culminated in an impressive run to the FCS semifinals in 2018.
Related: Former Gophers and Vikings WR Lands Head Coaching Job at North Dakota
He’s now heading to UMass, an FBS program, and taking a big step up next football season. After spending time as an independent program without a conference, UMass will join the Mid-American Conference (MAC). This move is a solid opportunity for Harasymiak.
In 2021, Harasymiak was a key figure in the Minnesota Gophers’ success, helping the team to a 9-4 record. Alongside Joe Rossi as co-defensive coordinators, Harasymiak was instrumental in shaping one of the nation’s top defenses.
That season, the Gophers’ defense was nothing short of impressive. The Gophers defense ranked 6th in the country by allowing just 17.3 points per game.
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