We’ve got our DC!

[8151]

Random, and a bit of a non sequitir, but that name conjured up a hilarious fictional character, Lola Hetherton, from the uber-talented Catherine O’ Hara on SCTV. She did a parody (homage?) of a 60’s/70’s sex kitten, Joey Heatherton.

Plus Lola Falana

 

[Taji34]

They were overall pretty good. But allowing Deacon Hill to throw for 223 yards is a little concerning.

Yes that is something of note to watch going into next season with him leading our Defense.

However, sometimes a mediocre player will have a lights out game or a good defense will have a bad game. At the moment, given his other coaching history looking pretty solid, I'd lean toward this being an anomaly and Deacon Hill and/or the iowa WRs and TEs having a really good game.

 

[GopherLady]

Official press release from the U:

Fleck Adds Coordinators Hetherman, Ligashesky to Staff

MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck today announced the hiring of defensive coordinator / linebackers coach Corey Hetherman and special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky.

"I am excited to welcome Corey and his wife, Julie, and Bob and his wife, Shelley, and their daughter, Sydney, to Minnesota," said Fleck. "These are two elite men and coaches who are passionate about developing the entire student-athlete, and I know they will make our young people better on the field, in the classroom and in the community."

Hetherman comes to Minnesota from Rutgers, while Ligshesky joins the Gophers from Syracuse. Hetherman's hire is pending a successful background check and approval of the Board of Regents.

Corey Hetherman, Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach

Hetherman spent the two previous seasons as the linebackers coach at Rutgers. Prior to that he was the defensive coordinator at James Madison from 2019-21 and was named the AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021. He has also been the defensive coordinator at Maine (2016-18) and at Pace College (2014).

At Rutgers, Hetherman took over an inexperienced unit that had seven combined career starts prior to his arrival before the 2022 season. That year, the defense improved by allowing 46.7 fewer yards per game compared to 2021, 28.1 fewer passing yards and 18.6 fewer rushing yards. Rutgers posted its best mark in total defense (349.8) in 10 years.

In 2023, Hetherman coached a pair of honorable mention All-Big Ten linebackers in Mohamed Toure and Deion Jennings. Jennings led the team in tackles, while Toure finished second.

Jennings, who was also Honorable Mention in 2022, played in all 13 games and led Rutgers with 95 tackles and added 4.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. Toure played in all 13 games in 2023 after missing the entire 2022 season with an injury. He was named a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year award and had 93 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception.

Hetherman spent 2019-21 at James Madison as the defensive coordinator. His defense ranked in the top 10 in both total defense and scoring defense in all three years he was there.

In 2021, Hetherman was promoted to Associate Head Coach and was named the AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year after James Madison finished with the No. 2-ranked defense in the nation. The Dukes allowed only 275.2 yards per game and also ranked first in the nation in turnovers forced (31), fifth in third-down defense (27.2 percent), seventh in scoring defense (15.4) and eighth in rushing defense (89.0). Four defensive players were recognized as 2021 All-Americans and six were named All-CAA. James Madison ended the season with a 12-2 record and advanced to the FCS semifinals.

In 2020, Hetherman was selected to the AFCA's 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute and James Madison's defense ranked third in the FCS in rush defense (72.4) and interceptions (12) in the spring of 2021, while ranking fifth in total defense (243.4), sixth in pass efficiency defense (100.74) and eighth in scoring defense (16.5).

In his first season with the Dukes, James Madison led the FCS in total defense (270.2), while ranking third in both scoring defense (15.7) and against the run (74.8). The defense also ranked third nationally in third-down defense (30 percent), fifth in tackles-for-loss (8.5), sixth in pass efficiency defense (111.83), seventh in interceptions (17), 11th in takeaways (26) and 12th in sacks (2.94). Four defenders earned All-America accolades in 2019, with eight on the All-CAA teams, including five on the first team. The Dukes went 14-2 and advanced to the FCS title game.

Hetherman spent the 2015-18 seasons at Maine, where he called the defense from 2016-18. He quickly turned Maine into a defensive power in the FCS, which included leading the league in six categories in 2018, highlighted by the FCS-leading rushing defense (79.2). Maine ranked second nationally in sacks (47) and the Black Bears also led the CAA in yards per carry allowed (2.4), interceptions (18), fumble recoveries (13) and fumbles for a touchdown (3). They ranked second in third-down defense (28.4 percent) and fourth in total defense (313.1). Six Maine defenders earned All-CAA status, with two claiming All-America laurels.

In 2017, Maine led the CAA on third down, allowing the opposition to a 27 percent success rate. During his first year leading Maine's defense, he helped mentor all-conference lineman Pat Ricard to the NFL after he ranked second in the conference in tackles-for-loss and fifth in sacks. Maine ranked third in the league in pass defense at 217.1 yards per game allowed.

Hetherman coached the defensive line in 2015 and his unit ranked second in the CAA in rushing defense, surrendering just 110.8 yards per game. They also were second in the CAA in sacks with 32. Two linemen earned First Team All-CAA honors. The duo combined for 31.0 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks, as Trevor Bates would go on to be a seventh-round draft pick to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Hetherman served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Pace University (2014) for one season, where he developed the team's defensive game plan and formatted the PAT and field goal block design.

He has also coached at Old Dominion (2010-13) where he was elevated to defensive run-game coordinator and linebackers coach for his final two seasons. He mentored two-time All-CAA linebacker Craig Wilkins and also coached outside linebackers for the Monarchs prior to his promotion.

The Oxford, Mass., native also had stops at Northeastern (2009) and Springfield College (2007-08) and spent time coaching overseas for the Wuerzburg Panthers (Germany) and Carinthian Black Lions (Austria).

He started his coaching career at his alma mater, Fitchburg State, where he worked with the quarterbacks.

Hetherman started three years at quarterback for Fitchburg State and was a team captain in 2005. He went 21-11 as a starter and led the team to a pair of MASCAC titles, two NEFC championship games and a berth in two ECAC bowl games. He graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education.

Bob Ligashesky, Special Teams Coordinator

Ligashesksy comes to Minnesota with nearly 40 years of coaching experience, most recently serving as Special Teams Coordinator at Syracuse.

He spent 12 years of his career in the NFL, mostly coaching special teams. He has led special teams units for the Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers (2008 Super Bowl champion) and the St. Louis Rams. He has also coached special teams with the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars and coached tight ends with the Denver Broncos.

He also previously worked with Fleck, as they were on the same 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff. Ligashesky was coaching safeties and special teams, while Fleck was coaching receivers.

The veteran coach also has extensive experience at the college level. In addition to Syracuse, he has coached at Bowling Green, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Kent State, Arizona State (graduate assistant) and Wake Forest (graduate assistant).

Ligashesky has mentored some of the best special team players in the game, as he has worked with NFL kickers Jeff Reed (Steelers), Connor Barth (Buccaneers) and Sebastian Janikowski (Raiders) and long snapper Jon Weeks (Texans) and punter Shane Lechler (Texans). In college, he coached standouts in Illinois punter Blake Hayes and Illini kicker Chase McLaughlin, as well as Bowling Green kicker Nate Needham.

At Syracuse, his most recent stop, Ligashesky's units ranked second in kick return defense in the ACC in 2023 and third in the nation in kickoff return average in 2022.

 

[theTurning]

Rutgers fans are not happy so I’m chalking this up as a win.

 

[60's Guy]

It will be interesting to get some more intel and see if PJ allows his coordinators to coach their beliefs. The quote from the former player saying: "We blitzed nearly every play". If the Gophers don't blitz frequently next year...we can kinda assume PJ has these guys coach within the PJ system of beliefs versus their own.

 

[Word]

Rutgers fans are not happy so I’m chalking this up as a win.

Rutgers has fans?

 

[Word]

It will be interesting to get some more intel and see if PJ allows his coordinators to coach their beliefs. The quote from the former player saying: "We blitzed nearly every play". If the Gophers don't blitz frequently next year...we can kinda assume PJ has these guys coach within the PJ system of beliefs versus their own.

I've always been under the impression that PJ is very hands off with the defense and lets the DC do their thing. I think PJ has been more involved with the offenses.

 

[60's Guy]

I've always been under the impression that PJ is very hands off with the defense and lets the DC do their thing. I think PJ has been more involved with the offenses.

Me too...but still interesting to monitor.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

It will be interesting to get some more intel and see if PJ allows his coordinators to coach their beliefs.

Why would anyone think otherwise?

 

[MaxyJR1]

 

[HoustonTXGopher]

I think we get two players to be named later as well, oh and dont forget the 8 new footballs in the deal as well.

 

[60's Guy]

Why would anyone think otherwise?

I'll guess you are messin' with my conspiracy thread but if not ...no matter the OC our offense has looked pretty much like it's running the same offense the last 7 years.
So, this guy believes in blitzing every play...we hired him...what defense is he coaching? His or PJ's? I'm just curious.

 

[#2Gopher]

Meh

Every now and then I see a poster respond to a post using the word "Meh." Seems to be an cheap,dumb, cheesy, easy way out, or don't know the answer and just trying to be negative in some way. Care to elaborate?

 

[BuiltFordTough]

It will be interesting to get some more intel and see if PJ allows his coordinators to coach their beliefs. The quote from the former player saying: "We blitzed nearly every play". If the Gophers don't blitz frequently next year...we can kinda assume PJ has these guys coach within the PJ system of beliefs versus their own.

Or they blitzed nearly every play because that was the belief of the head coach he was working for.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I'll guess you are messin' with my conspiracy thread but if not ...no matter the OC our offense has looked pretty much like it's running the same offense the last 7 years.
So, this guy believes in blitzing every play...we hired him...what defense is he coaching? His or PJ's? I'm just curious.

He blitzed a lot at a lower level school… I don’t think that means he wants to otherwise.

 

[jonnyganas]

I'm not sure Fleck is a guy that goes into it with a #1 guy. Was he the first offered? We will never know. Was this done last week and Fleck wanted a Thamel tweet on National Championship day? Possibly.

I saw a tweet from Ryan Burns when someone asked him last week when the Gophers would announce a DC hire and he said "probably 'around' January 8" which seems he probably already knew.

 

[studentgopher94]

Makes sense why we haven't targeted any LB's since he's an LB guy and will want to evaluate his own guys. High praise from RU guys on how he gets the absolute best out of them. Seems like a good fit with Monroe/Collins on the DB's, Debo on the DL and new guy on the LB's.

 

[WoodburyTim]

I heard he was at the Maine/Gopher basketball game and ended up next to PJ at a urinal in one of those cramped Williams Arena bathrooms and everything just fell into place.

 

[Jack jones]

I know some GH’ers think of me as a troll. I will gladly match my Gopher ticket stubs against anyone reading this post. As such, my question to you is, do you think that tOHS or Mich. or Penn State or even Ia. Or Bucky would hire the linebacker coach from Rutgers to be their DC? Didn’t think so.

 

[Jack jones]

You get what you paid for.

 

[mngg11]

I'm good with this. Let's see what he can get cooking over the next couple years. PJ knows what's on the line.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

You get what you paid for.

You saying he is underpaid?

 

[MaxyJR1]

I know some GH’ers think of me as a troll. I will gladly match my Gopher ticket stubs against anyone reading this post. As such, my question to you is, do you think that tOHS or Mich. or Penn State or even Ia. Or Bucky would hire the linebacker coach from Rutgers to be their DC? Didn’t think so.

Penn State hired our OC and fired him a year later and he came from Rutgers. Chances are no, but you never know. Unfortunately $$$ is high at those schools and LSU just paid 2.5M per year for their DC. If we were paying that, he would not have been the hire.

Northwestern is hiring a FCS coordinator and elevating the LB coach.

Buy more tickets I guess.

 

[USAF]

Every now and then I see a poster respond to a post using the word "Meh." Seems to be an cheap,dumb, cheesy, easy way out, or don't know the answer and just trying to be negative in some way. Care to elaborate?

meh
INFORMAL
exclamation

1. expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm.
   "Meh. I'm not impressed so far"
   

adjective

1. uninspiring; unexceptional.
   "a lot of his movies are … meh"

 

[TNGophfan]

I know some GH’ers think of me as a troll. I will gladly match my Gopher ticket stubs against anyone reading this post. As such, my question to you is, do you think that tOHS or Mich. or Penn State or even Ia. Or Bucky would hire the linebacker coach from Rutgers to be their DC? Didn’t think so.

No, they wouldn't. But, they also have twice the budget for assistants that we do. They can pay a proven commodity $2 million (or whatever the number is). Schools like MN, Indiana, Iowa State, etc need to take people like Hetherman. It's reality. Surprised you're surprised.

 

[TNGophfan]

meh
INFORMAL
exclamation

1. expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm.
   "Meh. I'm not impressed so far"

adjective

1. uninspiring; unexceptional.
   "a lot of his movies are … meh"

I think the poster understands meh. He just wonders why he feels that way.

 

[salzie]

I know some GH’ers think of me as a troll. I will gladly match my Gopher ticket stubs against anyone reading this post. As such, my question to you is, do you think that tOHS or Mich. or Penn State or even Ia. Or Bucky would hire the linebacker coach from Rutgers to be their DC? Didn’t think so.

We have a smaller budget, are you seriously surprised by this?

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

We have a smaller budget, are you seriously surprised by this?

He is in a race to be the first one in the crying room.

 

[EG#9]

I don't know if my anger/disappointment about this hire should be directed at the University, at Mark Coyle or at PJ Fleck.

We lose our defensive coordinator, not to a promotion, but to the same position at Michigan State. We then go to a former position coach here in Joe Harasymiak who was hired away to a promotion to DC at Rutgers. He says "no thanks, I am good at RUTGERS, but I got a guy for you.." Harasymiak would have been a fine, but unispired choice for DC to me similar to bringing Ciarrocca back two years ago.

So our response to losing our defensive coordinator to a B1G rival was to go hire the linebackers coach from Rutgers. Our response to losing our offensive coordinator last offseason to a B1G rival (gross to even call Rutgers a rival) was to promote a coach with 1 year (I think) of BCS position coaching experience to offensive coordinator. When we kick off next season our coordinators will have combined for 1 year of BCS level coordinator experience and less than 5 years position coach experience between them. Neither has been an elite recruiter at this level or been a position coach or greater for a team that has achieved anything notable at this level.

Hetherman may turn out to be great, he did well at Maine and James Madision as a coordinator. The only red flag in that part of his resume is that the James Madison head coach didn't come grab him when he was named the Indiana head coach and instead brought his most recent JMU dc with him. This really isn't about Hetherman (or Harbaugh), it's about not wanting to have to squint and wish and look at resume's and hope we got an "up and comer" EVERY SINGLE TIME. Do we think Iowa is going to hire the Maryland WR's coach to be their new OC and tout his fantastic OC experience at Bowie State? Fickell at Wisconsin brought in North Carolina's OC to run his offense and hired our corners coach to coach his db's among other staff additions.

Fleck has little to no experience on the defensive side of the ball. Coaches DeLattiboudere and Collins have very little experience. It doesn't seem unreasonable as a fan to expect a hire for this position that has a lot of experience and documented success at this level given the current makeup of this staff and the poor performance on the field last year. Instead we're taking a chance on a guy who has some experience in similar systems who is less accomplished (at this level) than Rossi or Harasymiak.

So is this a Univesity of Minnesota thing simply not wanting to compete financially? Is this a Mark Coyle think not advocating for a larger budget or raising enough money? Is this a PJ Fleck thing where guys simply don't want to work for him for whatever reason? I am buying that we are always hiring the best candidates and they all just happen to be some combination of cheap/young/inexperienced.

 

[Panthadad2]

Every now and then I see a poster respond to a post using the word "Meh." Seems to be an cheap,dumb, cheesy, easy way out, or don't know the answer and just trying to be negative in some way. Care to elaborate?

Not a "meh" to me at all. FCS assistant coach of the year is a pretty damn good signal. I love to see coaches that climb the ranks. There's a staff of former NAIA coaches in the championship game tonight.