After a disappointing 2024 season on the defensive aspect of the ball, the Miami Hurricanes fired former DC Lance Guidry. And, only a week and a half later, the Canes have secured their alternative with the announcement of Corey Hetherman as the brand new DC.
Hetherman involves Miami after a yr as Minnesota’s DC, a yr which noticed the Golden Gophers find yourself as a high 5 whole protection, high 10 scoring protection, and extra. For his efforts and success, Hetherman obtained an extension and lift from Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck in December. However, that didn’t cease Miami from poaching the rising star coach and bringing him to Coral Gables.
Hetherman was named the AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the 12 months in 2021 for his work at James Madison, a 12-2 crew that finally elevated from FCS to FBS. Following that cease, Hetherman additionally labored at Rutgers, and coached their linebackers within the bowl recreation in opposition to Miami in 2023.
Recognized for his desired to run a 4-down protection that’s aggressive and attacking, with a serious concentrate on COMMUNICATION, Hetherman appears to suit what Miami has historically carried out when their defenses have been profitable. We’ll see what the complete employees appears to be like like, however this can be a large get, and I’m excited to see what he does right here.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – College of Miami head coach Mario Cristobal introduced the hiring of Corey Hetherman to the place of defensive coordinator Sunday.
Hetherman arrives in Coral Gables after spending the 2024 season as defensive coordinator on the College of Minnesota.
Hetherman oversaw a Gophers unit that was ninth nationally in factors allowed (16.9 per recreation), fifth in whole protection (285.7 yards allowed per recreation), twelfth in dashing protection (109.6) and tied for ninth in passing protection (176.1). Minnesota’s 22 interceptions tied for seventh nationally, and its plus-9 turnover margin is tied for seventeenth.
Hetherman helped lead the Golden Gophers to an 8-5 end, a 5-4 mark in Huge Ten play and a win over Virginia Tech within the Duke’s Mayo Bowl this previous December.
Earlier than his season in Minneapolis, Hetherman spent the 2 earlier years (2022-2023) because the linebackers coach at Rutgers. Previous to that he was the defensive coordinator at James Madison from 2019-21 and was named the AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the 12 months in 2021.
He has additionally been the defensive coordinator at Maine (2016-18) and at Tempo School (2014).
At Rutgers, Hetherman took over an inexperienced unit that had seven mixed profession begins previous to his arrival earlier than the 2022 season. That yr, the protection improved by permitting 46.7 fewer yards per recreation in comparison with 2021, 28.1 fewer passing yards and 18.6 fewer dashing yards. Rutgers posted its greatest mark in whole protection (349.8) in 10 years.
In 2023, Hetherman coached a pair of honorable point out All-Huge Ten linebackers in Mohamed Toure and Deion Jennings. Jennings led the crew in tackles, whereas Toure completed second.
Jennings, who was additionally Honorable Point out in 2022, performed in all 13 video games and led Rutgers with 95 tackles and added 4.5 tackles for loss and 4 go breakups. Toure performed in all 13 video games in 2023 after lacking the whole 2022 season with an harm. He was named a semifinalist for the Comeback Participant of the 12 months award and had 93 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception.
Hetherman spent 2019-21 at James Madison because the defensive coordinator. His protection ranked within the high 10 in each whole protection and scoring protection in all three years he was there.
In 2021, Hetherman was promoted to Affiliate Head Coach and was named the AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the 12 months after James Madison completed with the No. 2 protection within the nation. The Dukes allowed solely 275.2 yards per recreation and in addition ranked first within the nation in turnovers compelled (31), fifth in third-down protection (27.2 p.c), seventh in scoring protection (15.4) and eighth in dashing protection (89.0). 4 defensive gamers had been acknowledged as 2021 All-Individuals and 6 had been named All-CAA.
James Madison ended the season with a 12-2 report and superior to the FCS semifinals.
In 2020, Hetherman was chosen to the AFCA’s 35 Below 35 Management Institute and James Madison’s protection ranked third within the FCS in rush protection (72.4) and interceptions (12) within the spring of 2021, whereas rating fifth in whole protection (243.4), sixth in go effectivity protection (100.74) and eighth in scoring protection (16.5).
In his first season with the Dukes, James Madison led the FCS in whole protection (270.2), whereas rating third in each scoring protection (15.7) and in opposition to the run (74.8). The protection additionally ranked third nationally in third-down protection (30 p.c), fifth in tackles-for-loss (8.5), sixth in go effectivity protection (111.83), seventh in interceptions (17), eleventh in takeaways (26) and twelfth in sacks (2.94). 4 defenders earned All-America accolades in 2019, with eight on the All-CAA groups, together with 5 on the primary crew. The Dukes went 14-2 and superior to the FCS title recreation.
Hetherman spent the 2015-18 seasons at Maine, the place he referred to as the protection from 2016-18. He rapidly turned Maine right into a defensive energy within the FCS, which included main the league in six classes in 2018, highlighted by the FCS-leading dashing protection (79.2). Maine ranked second nationally in sacks (47) and the Black Bears additionally led the CAA in yards per carry allowed (2.4), interceptions (18), fumble recoveries (13) and fumbles for a landing (3). They ranked second in third-down protection (28.4 p.c) and fourth in whole protection (313.1). Six Maine defenders earned All-CAA standing, with two claiming All-America laurels.
In 2017, Maine led the CAA on third down, permitting the opposition to a 27 p.c success fee. Throughout his first yr main Maine’s protection, he helped mentor all-conference lineman Pat Ricard to the NFL after he ranked second within the convention in tackles-for-loss and fifth in sacks. Maine ranked third within the league in go protection at 217.1 yards per recreation allowed.
Hetherman coached the line of defense in 2015 and his unit ranked second within the CAA in dashing protection, surrendering simply 110.8 yards per recreation. In addition they had been second within the CAA in sacks with 32. Two linemen earned First Crew All-CAA honors. The duo mixed for 31.0 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks, as Trevor Bates would go on to be a seventh-round draft decide to the Indianapolis Colts within the 2016 NFL Draft.
Hetherman served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Tempo College (2014) for one season, the place he developed the crew’s defensive recreation plan and formatted the PAT and area aim block design.
He has additionally coached at Outdated Dominion (2010-13) the place he was elevated to defensive run-game coordinator and linebackers coach for his closing two seasons. He mentored two-time All-CAA linebacker Craig Wilkins and in addition coached outdoors linebackers for the Monarchs previous to his promotion.
The Oxford, Mass., native additionally had stops at Northeastern (2009) and Springfield School (2007-08) and hung out teaching abroad for the Wuerzburg Panthers (Germany) and Carinthian Black Lions (Austria).
He began his teaching profession at his alma mater, Fitchburg State, the place he labored with the quarterbacks.
Hetherman began three years at quarterback for Fitchburg State and was a crew captain in 2005. He went 21-11 as a starter and led the crew to a pair of MASCAC titles, two NEFC championship video games and a berth in two ECAC bowl video games. He graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in secondary training.
And there you might have it. Miami’s discovered their new DC.