The Minnesota Golden Gophers have hired Maine head coach Joe Harasymiak as a new defensive assistant, taking the coaching position vacated by Robb Smith, who was fired at midseason. Defensive line coach Joe Rossi assumed Smith’s responsibilities as interim defensive coordinator before being promoted to the role permanently at the conclusion of the regular season.
Harasymiak, 32, has spent virtually his entire coaching career at Maine. He started as defensive backs coach with the Black Bears from 2011-13, before being promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for 2014-15. In his two seasons as defensive coordinator, the Black Bears’ defense ranked in the top three of the Colonial Athletic Association and top 20 nationally.