CBS: Questions for each Big Ten team in spring (MN: Can Corey Hetherman continue what Joe Rossi started?)

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BleedGopher

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Per CBS:

Minnesota​

Can Corey Hetherman continue what Joe Rossi started? While it shouldn't be ignored that a typically reliable Minnesota offense -- one that's never elite but typically above average during P.J. Fleck's tenure -- took a dip last season and needs to bounce back, the bigger question is on the other side of the ball.

Minnesota's defense has been one of the strongest units in the Big Ten for years and produced plenty of NFL Draft picks. The man who oversaw the unit, Rossi, left to take the defensive coordinator role at Michigan State. He's replaced by Hetherman, who comes to Minnesota after spending the last two seasons as Rutgers' linebackers coach. He was previously the defensive coordinator at James Madison and even has some offensive coordinator experience from early in his career. He knows both sides of the ball, but this will be his biggest gig and he has large shoes to fill.

Will Minnesota stick to a scheme that was successful under Rossi, or will Hetherman bring a new approach? Hetherman's ability to keep the defense's performance at the same level, regardless of scheme, will go a long way toward determining Minnesota's 2024 season.

www.cbssports.com

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Go Gophers!!
 


I haven't followed the offseason as closely as many here. But if Rossi left because of money, man... what a shame. Last year was a major disappointment for the defense, but his overall body of work was very impressive.
 





Defense will look different, Highly unlikely defense performs at the same level. If it was easy everyone would be above average ;-)
 

Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0 said:
Getting more pressure on the QB would be nice for a change.
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Bingo. But I think that there is only so much that a DC can do. In theory, they can create schemes that produce pressure on the opposing QB. But unless they have some DL guys, at least one, who have the speed, strength and guile to get to the QB, producing a pass rush is incredibly difficult. I suppose that some cleverly designed blitzes can work, but that can be risky. IMHO, until we get some skilled pass rushers, no DC will produce consistent pressure. And there are not many players who have the size and speed to put consistent heat on QB's.
 

They are returning 3 DE’s with good tfl and sack numbers!
 




Since PJ seems to want to be Iowa (just better) consider that Phil Parker’s position coach at MSU was Nick Saban. He then served under Iowa DC Norm Parker for many years as DB coach and collectively they turned many under-recruited or average recruits into NFL draftees and are known for solid, tough defenses with (mostly) smart players. So, all PJ has to do is find a protege of a coaching legend adept at recruiting coachable diamonds in the rough. Do Schiano and Hetherman qualify? Crystal balls always seem cloudy. Rossi was a solid maybe with an underwhelming resume and turned out pretty well.
 

Felt like the top of our defense was loose last year in comparison to years before. Maybe it was due to the lack of QB pressures but it didn't seem like there was a decrease of those from previous years. Hopefully Heatherman identifies what the problems are and can either emphasize practicing those situations or scheme around them better.
 

swelna said:
Felt like the top of our defense was loose last year in comparison to years before. Maybe it was due to the lack of QB pressures but it didn't seem like there was a decrease of those from previous years. Hopefully Heatherman identifies what the problems are and can either emphasize practicing those situations or scheme around them better.
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I think they missed Joe Harasymiak

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