Report: Gophers defensive coordinator Joe Rossi leaving for Michigan State

Joe Rossi has been Minnesota's defensive coordinator since 2018.

Add finding a new defensive coordinator to P.J. Fleck's jobs with news Sunday that defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is making a lateral move for the same position at Michigan State. 

Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Sunday that Rossi is expected to become the next defensive coordinator at Michigan State after spending the past four-plus seasons scheming Minnesota's defense. 

Sources: Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is expected to become the next defensive coordinator at Michigan State.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 10, 2023

Rossi took over as the interim defensive coordinator under Fleck late in the 2018 season and took a Gophers defense that was allowing 31.8 points per game and held the last four opponents to an average of 14.8 points. 

Minnesota had a top-10 defense in the nation in 2019, 2021 and 2022 and had 10 players drafted on the defensive side of the ball under Rossi's leadership. 

The Gophers' defense this season collapsed numerous times, namely when they blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarterback against Northwestern and when they let Illinois drive the field for a game-winning touchdown with under a minute to play. They also allowed more than 600 yards of total offense in a loss to Purdue. 

It's unclear who Fleck will tab as his next defensive coordinator.