Just a week after concluding their regular season, the Gophers extended their defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s contract and gave him a raise. Fast forward to the present, and Miami has offered him the same position there, attempting to lure him away, and it seems all but a formality now.

The Miami Hurricanes steal DC Corey Hetherman from the Minnesota Gophers

Out of nowhere today, a college football insider for 247Sports reported that Corey Hetherman has emerged as Miami’s top candidate for their defensive coordinator job. With everything falling into place, it’s now looking like it’s almost a done deal.

This current expectation is that this is going to get done and that Miami will hire Minnesota’s Corey Hetherman as its new defensive coordinator, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.

Hetherman led the way this season as Minnesota ranked fifth nationally in total defense.… https://t.co/hE1iRUXWIf pic.twitter.com/7UKJ1KKEOq

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 11, 2025

Related: Gophers Land OSU Linebacker Out of Transfer Portal

Back in December, the Minnesota Gophers handed Hetherman a two-year contract extension along with a raise. Which bumped his salary to over a million dollars. However, that wasn’t enough to compete with a program like the Hurricanes, and now the Gophers will have to search for another new defensive coordinator.

Under Hetherman’s leadership, the Gophers defense ranked among the top in the nation. They held opponents to just 17.5 points per game and 4.7 yards per play during the regular season. They finished fourth in the country in scoring defense. Allowing only 16.9 points per game, and fifth in total defense, giving up an average of 285 yards per game.

What will the Gophers do?

This marks the second straight offseason where the Minnesota Gophers have seen their defensive coordinator leave for a bigger paycheck. First it was Joe Rossi, who headed to Michigan State, and now Hetherman to Miami. If Minnesota doesn’t find a way to match these offers, they’ll struggle to keep up with the top teams.

View: University of Minnesota leadership, primarily the Board of Regents, needs to ante up in order to compete in big-time college football. The U had lowest assistant coaches salary pool in Big Ten and it’s hurting #Gophers chances to develop talent and compete at highest level.

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) January 11, 2025

This is another tough setback for P.J. Fleck and his coaching staff. However, reports are already surfacing that the Gophers will be hiring from within the program. And there may already be a front-runner to replace Hetherman: Danny Collins. Currently the Safeties coach and pass game coordinator, Collins seems to be the favorite in the clubhouse for the role.

If Fleck elects to replace from within, I'd keep a close eye on Danny Collins

— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) January 11, 2025

Sources: Minnesota plans to promote internally to replace Corey Hetherman at defensive coordinator. There’s no plans to open up the search and bring in someone from the outside. Minnesota finished this season with the country’s No. 9 scoring defense.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 11, 2025

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Gophers in Yet Another PJ Fleck Bowl Game Victory

Sources: Minnesota is set to hire Rutgers linebacker coach Corey Hetherman as the school’s new defensive coordinator. He’s the former defensive coordinator at James Madison and Maine.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 8, 2024

Related: Gophers Koi Perich Snags Interception, Blocks Punt in All-American Bowl MVP Performance

Minnesota Gophers hire Corey Hetherman as new defensive coordinator

PJ Fleck couldn’t go after his former secondary coach, Joe Harasymiak this offseason, after Rutgers got ahead of the game and signed him to an extension and pay increase this offseason prior to the Minnesota job opening.

So, Fleck went out and hired the next best thing, their linebackers coach and Harasymiak confidant, Corey Hetherman, who our own Matt Johnson projected as a high-ranking choice for Fleck back before Christmas, when he wrote about potential DC options to replace Rossi.

Scarlet Knights linebackers coach Corey Hetherman joined the program in 2022, hand-picked by Harasymiak to develop Rutgers’ linebackers. Before that, Hetherman was the defensive play-caller at James Madison (2019-’21).

Leadership is obviously another factor Fleck is considering during his search. Hetherman offers that trait, serving as associate head coach at James Madison where he worked under Curt Cignetti, one of the most well-respected head coaches in the Group of Five. Minnesota would be the next step up in Hetherman’s career and he could also help the Golden Gophers’ defense take a step forward in 2024.

Matt Johnson – Minnesota Sports Fan (Dec. 23)

Rutgers defense ranked 8th in the Big Ten in points allowed per game (21.2) and 6th in yards allowed per game (313.5). Most importantly though, it seems Hetherman is a PJ Fleck ‘Row The Boat’ kind of guy.

While at James Madison (FCS), Hetherman’s defenses were awesome, finishing all three seasons top-10 nationwide in points against, but they were always near the top in turnovers forced. In 2021, they finished 1st in takeaways (31), first in rush yards allowed (<90 YPG) and 1st in third down conversion rate against (27.2%).

Related: Gophers Hire Decorated Coach Bob Ligashesky as Special Teams Coordinator

Rutgers Football [handshake emoji] Minnesota Football

At this point, we can call Rutgers Minnesota’s sister program, as the two swap coaches just about as often as they swap players, and both happen very frequently of late.

As mentioned, the Scarlett Knights’ current defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak was once a high-ranking defensive coach under Joe Rossi. And their offensive coordinator, Kirk Ciarrocca, has coached most of his D1 career with or under PJ Fleck.

You might remember, as well, that Rutgers’ new quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, was QB1 for the Gophers last season. His wide receiver brother, Dino, made the trip out East as well.

Corey Hetherman Coaching History (via Rutgers bio)

• 2022-23: Rutgers (linebackers)
• 2021: James Madison (defensive coordinator/associate head coach/defensive line)
• 2019-21: James Madison (defensive coordinator/defensive ends)
• 2016-18: Maine (defensive coordinator)
• 2015: Maine (defensive line)
• 2014: Pace (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
• 2012-13: Old Dominion (defensive run game coordinator/linebackers)
• 2010-11: Old Dominion (outside linebackers)
• 2010: Western New England College (offensive/recruiting coordinator)
• 2009-10: Northeastern (outside linebackers)
• 2007-09: Springfield College (graduate assistant)
• 2007: Wuerzburg Panthers (offensive coordinator)
• 2006-07: King’s College (intern)
• 2006: Carinthian Black Lions (offensive coordinator)
• 2006: Fitchburg State (quarterbacks)