Three makes a trend, especially over three straight years. With Gophers defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman headed for the same role at Miami (Fla.) on Saturday, the Minnesota football program has now lost three coordinators in lateral job moves to three different schools over the last three years. After leading a Top 10 defense in the nation in 2024, Minnesota rewarded Hetherman with a contract extension and pay raise from $850,000 to $1 million per year for both 2025 and 2026, but it’s not considered to be enough to compete with what the Hurricanes are believed to have offered Hetherman. Miami will also pay a six-figure buyout to Minnesota to bring Hetherman aboard. Minnesota previously had offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca go to Rutgers in 2022 and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi leave for Michigan State in 2023. All three have seen significant pay raises with their new jobs. USA Today reported this fall that Minnesota had the lowest assistant coach salary pool in the Big Ten. The University of Minnesota’s relative lack of spending compared to conference peers has resulted in a stream of coordinators leave the U in recent year. Head coach P.J. Fleck went to Rutgers for its linebacker coach, Hetherman, a year ago. The Gophers gave Hetherman a raise after Rutgers and other programs wanted to lure him away after the 2024 regular season. Ultimately, Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle spoke too soon at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. “We felt it was important to keep that staff continuity and keep that continuity with P.J., so just really grateful for Corey and his family committed to us and being a part of this family.” With more change on staff, Fleck is expected this time to stay within his existing staff for the new DC. Two leading candidates are safeties coach Danny Collins and cornerbacks coach Nick Monroe. It could be a co-coordinator title, with one calling plays next fall. After Rossi left a year ago, Collins was the interim defensive coordinator for the Quick Lane Bowl win in December 2023. An internal hire might also come for the linebackers coach, which was part of Hetherman’s duties.