Update >> Minnesota has now officially announced the addition of Harasymiak, noting that he will work on the defensive side of the ball.
Another top level FCS job has opened up.
Pete Thamel first tweeted the news and we can now confirm, Maine (FCS) head coach Joe Harasymiak is leaving to become an assistant at Minnesota.
Harasymiak, one of the youngest head coaches in college football, led the program to their best season in school history, which ended in the FCS semifinals to Eastern Washington. The Black Bears ended the season 10-4.
In his first season as head coach, back in 2016, Harasymiak was the youngest head coach in Division I football, and led the program to a 6-5 mark. 2017 saw them take a bit of step back to 4-6, and this season was one for the record books as Maine went 10-4 overall and 7-1 as they took home the top spot in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Minnesota currently has one open position on staff following PJ Fleck's decision to let go defensive coordinator Robb Smith back in early November. Defensive line coach Joe Rossi stepped in as the interim defensive coordinator at first, before earning the promotion to the full-time role just a few weeks later after Minnesota beat Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in convincing fashion, 37-15.
We understand there will more to come on this development....
This off season, we've seen a number of great FCS jobs open up, including North Dakota State, James Madison, William & Mary, Stephen F. Austin, Northern Arizona, and a host of others. Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.