Former Gopher FB Player Turned Coach Returning to Big Ten?

Each of the past two offseason, the Golden Gophers have lost their defensive coordinator to greener pastures. Between 2023 and 2024, they lost Joe Rossi to Michigan State. One year later, they lost his replacement, Corey Hetherman to the Miami Hurricanes.

But last season’s Gopher defense lost more than just their defensive coordinator, during the offseason. They also lost one of the fastest-rising defensive coaching assistants in football, defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere.

The four-year Gopher alum turned assistant coach did not leave for another CFB job, however. Instead, the 26-year-old went pro, when the Arizona Cardinals tapped DeLattiboudere to be their d-line coach.

But after one year working with men mostly older than he is, it sounds like the talented 26-year-old may be on his way back to the Big Ten.

Winston DeLattiboudere eyeing up a Minnesota Gophers B1G rival

According to Pete Nakos (On3 Sports), the Michigan State Spartans — who are expected to keep Joe Rossi on staff after firing head coach Jonathan Smith mid-season — “are working to hire” Winston Delattiboudere as their DL coach.

Michigan State is working to hire Cardinals DL coach Winston DeLattiboudere to the same role, sources tell @On3sports.

Former Minnesota assistant coach and player. CBS first reported he was the target. https://t.co/j9D9PVLlpK pic.twitter.com/BW6nUZBtEx

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 15, 2025

DeLattiboudere overlapped with Michigan State defensive coordinator Joe Rossi during his time in Minneapolis. Minnesota increased its sack total from 19 in 2022 to 26 in 2023 and 28 in 2024.

On3

What would DeLattiboudere bring to Spartans’ defense?

DeLattiboudere joined the Gophers staff as the defensive line coach in 2023 before being promoted to assistant head coach in 2024. This season he worked as the Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach, but now a return to the Big Ten is on the horizon.

As a player in Minnesota, DeLattiboudere appeared in 51 games from 2016 through 2019. He totalled 83 tackles during his career, which included five sacks.

Related: Blossoming MN Gophers Running Back Enters Transfer Portal

Michigan State went just 4-8 this season, which is why their head coach was fired. The Minnesota Gophers beat them 23-20 at Huntington Bank Stadium. The two Big Ten rivals are not scheduled to play against each other again until 2028.

Now with former Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald taking over, the Spartans are seeking talent to round out the staff. Coming back to college from the NFL, DeLattiboudere has experience that will make him a valuable member of Fitzgerald’s staff.

What’s next for the Minnesota Gopher football program?

The Minnesota Gophers are heading to the Rate Bowl later this month where head coach P.J. Fleck will be looking for his seventh (6-0) bowl game victory as U of M head football coach. After they go bowling on December 26 the Gophers will officially turn their focus to 2026.

Thankfully (I think), it’s unlikely PJ Fleck has to worry about losing first year defensive coordinator, Danny Collins, after the Gopher defense took a step back under his watch in 2025.