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Rutgers hires Joe Harasymiak as Defensive Coordinator

The search to replace Robb Smith as defensive coordinator was shorter than expected as Rutgers announced the hiring of Joe Harasymiak on Friday afternoon. Minutes before, Pete Thamel tweeted the move to hire the Minnesota co-DC was imminent.

Minnesota was third nationally in total defense this past season, as well as eighth nationally in rush defense and ninth in passing yards allowed.

Harasymiak is from Waldwick, New Jersey and has been the co-DC for Minnesota the past two seasons along with former Rutgers assistant Joe Rossi. They of course were hired by PJ Fleck, who was an assistant at Rutgers under Greg Schiano.