Corey Hetherman leaving Minnesota to take over as Miami’s defensive coordinator
- Miami has agreed to hire Corey Hetherman as its new defensive coordinator following a tumultuous season.
- Hetherman's defense at Minnesota ranked fifth nationally in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed under his leadership.
- The move aims to address Miami's struggles on defense and improve their standing in college football.
In Miami, Florida, Corey Hetherman has been selected as the new defensive coordinator after Miami's football team struggled during a disappointing season. The University of Miami reached an agreement with Hetherman, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for Minnesota, where he significantly improved the team's defensive statistics in just one season. This comes after the dismissal of Lance Guidry, who oversaw a defensive unit that allowed over 500 yards in some of the final games of the season. Hetherman, who is 44 years old and originally from Massachusetts, had a remarkable year at Minnesota as he transformed their defense to rank among the top five in yards allowed nationally, showing a drastic improvement from the previous season's performance. His experience as both a player and coach across various institutions, including time under Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, gave him a well-rounded background that appealed to Miami's current head coach, Mario Cristobal. This connection, along with their shared history of working in Europe, further solidifies the transition. Miami hopes Hetherman's proven track record will remedy the problems faced by the defensive unit, which ranked poorly in national statistics over the last season. The Hurricanes faced significant challenges as they could not sustain a competitive defense during crucial games, leading to their exclusion from the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff. With five new defensive recruits coming from the transfer portal, led by Conference USA selection David Blay, the team anticipates that under Hetherman, they can return to their former defensive prowess. The move reflects Miami's dedication to regaining their status in college football, as the program has invested in a top-15 recruiting class. Hetherman's hiring is seen as a pivotal step in refining the defensive strategies and improving player development, aiming at returning Miami to glory in the coming seasons, which can create a more formidable opponent against collegiate rivals.