Joe Rossi is the current defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He was promoted mid-season during 2018 after former defensive coordinator Robb Smith was fired. The defense was struggling before Rossi took over. Once in command, the defense saw immediate improvements and went 3-1 during his four-game interim coaching tenure. Since then, Rossi has been in charge of defense and in 2021 led them to being the fourth best in the nation. So, let’s take a look at all Rossi done has so far in Minnesota.
What The Defense Was Like Before Rossi
Robb Smith joined P.J. Fleck when he first came to Minnesota. Smith coached the 2017 season and nine games in 2018. Smith’s run at Minnesota ended when his defense allowed 55 points to an Illinois team that was 4-5. In 2017 the Gophers defense gave up 22.8 points per game (36th in the nation). In Smith’s nine games in 2018, the defense allowed 31.7 points per game. The Gophers ended the year allowing 26.5 points per game (59th in nation). Their points per game fell 23 spots from 2017.
During Smith’s time in 2018, the Gopher’s defense allowed six 30 plus point games (two exceeding 50 points). The Gophers went 1-5 in games when they gave up 30 or more points. Also, during those nine games, the Gophers were outscored 286-250, not a good look for the defense. Needless to say, Fleck made the right move in firing Smith and promoting Rossi.
After Rossi Took Over
Rossi took over with three games left in the regular season after Robb Smith was fired. Under Rossi’s leadership the defense gave up 14.8 points per game during their last four games (including a win at the Quick Lane Bowl). The Gophers held opponents to ten (twice), 15, and 24 points over the last four games of the season. The Gophers outscored their opponents 126-59, finishing with a 3-1 record to end the season. After the end of the year, Rossi was promoted to defensive coordinator.
2019-2021 Defense
Rossi was able to carry the momentum from the end of the 2018 season over to a strong defense during the Gophers historic 2019 season. The Gophers allowed 22.5 points per game in 2019 (ranked 38th in the nation), up 21 spots from 2018. In 2020, the Gophers defense allowed 30.1 points per game (70th in the nation), down 32 spots from 2019. The Gophers defense took the biggest jump last season. In 2021 the Gophers defense was ranked fourth in the nation. They were ranked sixth in points per game (17.3), eighth in rushing yards per game (100.3) and 11th in passing yards per game (184.7).
What To Expect This Year
The Gophers defense is looking strong again this year. After ranking fourth in the nation, the Gophers have brought back enough players to have a shot at a top ten defense again. Captain Mariano Sori-Marin is returning to lead the defense. Both the secondary and linebacker cores have brought back veteran players. The defensive line is the biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball. The Gophers have only brought back two starters from last year. Minnesota was able to bring in defensive tackle Darnell Jefferies from Clemson. Jefferies will be a nice addition to the defensive line and will help strengthen it. With Joe Rossi leading the defensive side, they should look to be a strong complement to an offense that is looking to bounce back from a down year in 2021. Good things are to come, especially on defense with Joe Rossi.
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