We’ve got our DC!

[HoustonTXGopher]

Looks like Fleck stayed in his lane and stayed true to his allegiance to Rutgers. You cant tell me there weren’t better candidates from other schools, hope I’m wrong. Just seems like such a pedestrian hire.

 

[GopherfanUpNorth]

https://www.si.com/college/minnesota/football/report-gophers-hire-corey-hetherman-known-for-super-aggressive-defensive-scheme

Hetherman is known for an aggressive defense that one former James Madison defensive lineman described as "super aggressive," telling the the Daily News-Record in 2019 that "You blitz every play."

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

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.

I do all my best work at the urinal.

Some Iowas too…..

 

[swelna]

Is this a home run hire? No. Does this hire look positive? Absolutely. Not only does this guy have experience being a DC, but the previous schools fans are upset they are losing him. We are getting a good LB coach and a good lower level DC that wants to prove himself.

 

[60's Guy]

Linebackers might be the strength of our defense if they are all available.

 

[U2Gopher]

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?

One of these two is the reason, but I don’t know which. The University of Minnesota, while they have done more recently than in the past, still hasn’t committed to big time college football. Not only have they not committed to big time college football, we haven’t even committed to the level of Iowa, Wisconsin or Nebraska.

I’m surprised folks are surprised that this is the kind of DC we hire. We aren’t getting Jim Lenhord or stealing Rex Parking without paying our DC $2M per year. Those who thought we were getting a candidate of that caliber, aren’t living in reality.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Linebackers might be the strength of our defense if they are all available.

Biggest weakness if we get a couple injuries we saw last year.

 

[gopherdudepart2]

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.

I heard that he was singing the U of M Rouser next to PJ when taking a leak at said Urinal, and Coach Fleck was so impressed that he already knew the words that he offered him on the spot. That and the new DC could clap while commencing said leak.

 

[Gopherchase]

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.

It has nothing to do with money. We are part of the “haves”. Our TV contract cut is huge. We can pay our assistants.

 

[Gopherchase]

Hetherman isn't really a Schiano guy. Only been with him for two years.

Respect your opinion they are always well thought out but here I just gotta say it’s weird as shit that Schianno has two of PJ’s former assistants as his coordinators and now we have one of his former assistants as one of our coordinators. I don’t know what to say, but to just reiterate that it’s weird and disconcerting that we are attached at the hip with a guy Schiano who I think sucks ass; and is in our conference.

 

[SPEGOPHER]

Initially felt good about the hire, and that hasn’t necessarily changed, but it’s frustrating that we must be spending considerably less on our assistant pool after such a down year as every other program is seemingly ratcheting up investment.

Plenty of positives this off-season, but ultimately feels like Fleck is still too conservative to make any real changes.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Initially felt good about the hire, and that hasn’t necessarily changed, but it’s frustrating that we must be spending considerably less on our assistant pool after such a down year as every other program is seemingly ratcheting up investment.

Plenty of positives this off-season, but ultimately feels like Fleck is still too conservative to make any real changes.

Ohio State is going to clean house soon and they spent a ton…

 

[SHGopher]

Corey Hetherman - Football Coach - Rutgers University Athletics

Corey Hetherman is in his second season as the Rutgers football linebackers coach in 2023. Hetherman previously served as defensive coordinator/associate head coach/defensive

scarletknights.com

• Hetherman worked three seasons at James Madison as defensive coordinator (2019-21). JMU’s defense ranked as one of the nation’s best each season, placing in the top 10 in both total defense and scoring defense all three years.

• Picked up the title of associate head coach prior to the 2021 season and earned AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year. The Dukes posted the No. 2-ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 275.2 yards per game, also ranking first nationally 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). A total of four defensive players were recognized as 2021 All-Americans, with six being named All-CAA. James Madison ended with a 12-2 record and advanced to the FCS semifinals.

• A 2020 selection to the AFCA's 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute, JMU’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). The team finished 7-1.

----------------------------------------------------

Seems like the right move for both sides. How would I know. Let's see what he's got.

Corey Hetherman - Football Coach - University of Minnesota Athletics

Corey Hetherman was named University of Minnesota Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach in January 2024. Prior to joining Minnesota, Hetherman spent the ...

gophersports.com

 

[highwayman]

To end up on this guy after a month, I'd bet there are a lot of guys who said, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Geezus.

 

[TNGophfan]

It has nothing to do with money. We are part of the “haves”. Our TV contract cut is huge. We can pay our assistants.

But the current budget doesn't give it to PJ to use. Not sure if that's Coyle's or Regents fault.

 

[highwayman]

Me too...but still interesting to monitor.

So let’s get this straight. You believe PJ is an uber control freak but you agree with someone who doesn’t think so. Interesting take. Win win for you.

 

[Gopherchase]

But the current budget doesn't give it to PJ to use. Not sure if that's Coyle's or Regents fault.

He didn’t even spend to his budget
Last year because the lack of chops of our staff didn’t require him to pay them much— a lot of inexperienced guys not more proven commodities. I don’t believe the budget talk; PJ can get more if he needs it.

 

[TNGophfan]

He didn’t even spend to his budget
Last year because the lack of chops of our staff didn’t require him to pay them much— a lot of inexperienced guys not more proven commodities. I don’t believe the budget talk; PJ can get more if he needs it.

You have no idea if that's true. You just want it to be true.

 

[ChromeDomeGopher]

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

This hire just doesn’t excite me. If we’re going to poach a position coach, I would have liked one from a successful program. Have a hard time seeing this as anything other than a Harbaugh type hire. Hopefully I’m proven wrong and have to eat crow.

 

[Gopherchase]

You have no idea if that's true. You just want it to be true.

I didn’t make it up he underspent his budget by $700K.

 

[U2Gopher]

You have no idea if that's true. You just want it to be true.

Actually, according to Ryan Burns and some others, this is true. However, Iowa outspends the Gophers by approximately $2M where assistant coaches salaries are concerned. Becky and Nebraska also significantly outspend us. That part isn’t PJ’s fault. That’s an administrative issue that the U is either going to to fix….or not.

 

[Gopherchase]

Actually, according to Ryan Burns and some others, this is true. However, Iowa outspends the Gophers by approximately $2M where assistant coaches salaries are concerned. Becky and Nebraska also significantly outspend us. That part isn’t PJ’s fault. That’s an administrative issue that the U is either going to to fix….or not.

How much does Parker
make from Iowa. That’s gotta big a big part of the difference there. We have a bunch of guys like our OC who were analysts yesterday vs. a guy like Parker who is battle tested and an icon. Our staff kinda sucks in comparison,
but I don’t imagine a lot of the guys who would demand more money are lining
up to RTB.

 

[laazrakit]

Rutgers has fans?

Only when Greg Schiano is the head coach...

 

[USAF]

You have no idea if that's true. You just want it to be true.

Look it up. It's been posted here at least a half dozen times. Fleck left $700k unspent this season.

 

[maroonfive]

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.

One cannot be taken seriously when referring to the skunks as Bucky. It is Becky. The answer to your question is we don't know but more importantly you have lost all credibility. Seriously Bucky?

 

[studentgopher94]

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 aren't tOSU, Mich. or Penn State, sorry to break that news to you. Iowa and Bucky would hire an LB coach under certain circumstances absolutely they would.

 

[TNGophfan]

Look it up. It's been posted here at least a half dozen times. Fleck left $700k unspent this season.

I'll believe you. I don't read every entry on every thread. Do we know what he's paying the 2 new assistants and the raises for existing? I, too, hope he uses entire budget if it means getting better coaches. I'm just not convinced that paying more equals getting better quality. Often, it just means your paying someone for being around a long time. I don't know if Hetherman will be really good or not. But I have no problem hiring someone who has 6 or 7 years experience as a DC, even if it's at the next level down.

 

[U2Gopher]

How much does Parker
make from Iowa.

According to an article in USA Today dated November of 2023, he’s making $1.4M. I think Rossi was making what, $1.1??? That isn’t a huge discrepancy, but it is total staff compensation where the Gophers lag so far behind, and that is the problem. Let’s assume for just a second that you knew you could get Parker from Iowa, but he wanted a $400K raise over what he makes at Iowa to come here. Now, when you look at what the elite schools around the country are paying top coordinators, Parker is probably worth that $1.8M and underpaid at his $1.4M current salary. If Ryan Burns is correct and Fleck had an extra $700K he could spend, then I guess you could get potentially get a bigger name to satisfy some on this board, but your still paying the OC and the rest of the staff peanuts compared to your rivals. Overpaying for one coordinator isn’t going to fix the Gophers issue I don’t think.

The Gophers at this point just haven’t decided to go all in where this part of the equation is concerned.

 

[NotAFanOfBecky]

Anybody else read this? This is with the very topic of salary for head coaches and assistants.

Washington Football Championship Run

 

[Some Day...Maybe]

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.

I’d say it’s a lack of boosters/donors for Gopher football. Also a lack of interest in Gopher football by residents of Minnesota and alumni.