Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is taking the same job on Jonathan Smith's new Michigan State staff, according to multiple reports on Sunday.
Rossi joined PJ Fleck's staff as a quality control coach in 2017 and was running the defense within two years.
Fleck promoted Rossi, a former coordinator at Rutgers, to defensive line coach ahead of the 2018 campaign, then appointed him coordinator following a mid-season firing.
After finishing 86th in yards per play in 2018, Minnesota rose to 27th in 2019. The Gophers finished as high as 12th under Rossi, but did fall back to 98th this fall.
In addition to two seasons at Rutgers, Rossi spent 2009-11 as the defensive coordinator at Maine and 2003-06 running the defense at Thiel College.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Sources: Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is expected to become the next defensive coordinator at Michigan State.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 10, 2023