Smith Hires Joe Rossi as Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
12/14/2023 11:28:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head football coach Jonathan Smith has named Joe Rossi the program's Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach.
Rossi has spent the past six seasons (2018-23) at Minnesota, where he helped build the Gophers into one of the best defenses in the Big Ten as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Minnesota's defense ranked among the top 10 in the FBS in total defense three times (No. 3 in 2021, No. 8 in 2022, No. 10 in 2019) and scoring defense twice (No. 4 in 2022, No. 6 in 2021) under Rossi's direction.
The two-time Broyles Award nominee coached 30 All-Big Ten honorees, two first-team All-Americans and 10 NFL Draft picks during his time in Minneapolis. In his 62 games as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota, the Gophers posted a 40-22 record. Overall, Rossi has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and has been on the sidelines for seven bowl games.
The hiring is dependent on the completion of all university employment procedures.
"Joe Rossi has been nationally recognized for constructing one of the best defenses in the nation over the past few seasons," said Smith. "He has extensive experience in all areas of the defense throughout his career and has developed all-conference players and NFL Draft picks. He is also very familiar coaching in the Big Ten Conference. I'm excited to have Joe and his family join our staff in East Lansing."
Rossi's defense in 2023 featured All-America defensive back Tyler Nubin, who also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after recording 53 tackles, five interceptions and four pass break-ups.
A total of eight Gophers garnered All-Big Ten recognition in 2022 as the Gophers ranked fourth in the FBS in scoring defense (13.8 ppg), eighth in total defense (294.7 ypg) and 15th in pass defense (185.7 ypg) and rushing defense (109.0 ypg) en route to a nine-win season and a victory over Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl. Two defensive backs, Jordan Howden (Saints) and Terell Smith (Bears), were chosen in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Minnesota's defense in 2021 was one of the most dominant in school history and landed Rossi on the Broyles Award nomination list for the nation's best assistant coach. The Gophers were third in the FBS in total defense (278.8 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (17.3 ppg) and eighth in both rushing defense (97.5 ypg) and passing defense (181.2 ypg). Defensive end Boye Mafe led the way with seven sacks and was a second-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In addition, fellow defensive end Esezi Otomewo was fifth-round pick by the Vikings.
Rossi's first top-10 defense at Minnesota arrived in 2019, fueling the Gophers to a school-record 11-win season, a victory in the Outback Bowl over Auburn, and a No. 10 final ranking in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls. The Gophers allowed just 306.6 yards per game – the best mark for the program since 1977 – which was good for No. 10 in the FBS. Minnesota also ranked ninth in pass defense (184.2), 17th in interceptions (14) and 23rd in rushing defense.
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. set the tone for the defense, becoming the seventh unanimous first-team All-American in school history after tying a school record with seven interceptions. He was also named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and was one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award. Winfield was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 45 overall) and is in his fourth season in the NFL with Tampa Bay; he was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2020 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. In addition to Winfield, three other Gopher defensive players were drafted from the 2019 team: linebacker Kamal Martin (fifth round, Packers), linebacker Carter Coughlin (seventh round, Giants) and defensive back Chris Williamson (seventh round, Giants).
Rossi first arrived to Minnesota in 2017 as a quality control assistant, then was named to the on-field staff as a defensive line coach in 2018. He was named the interim defensive coordinator on Nov. 4, 2018, and the Gophers won three of their last four games of the season, including a win over Wisconsin in the regular-season finale and a victory over Georgia Tech in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Prior to his tenure at Minnesota, Rossi spent four seasons at Rutgers (2012-15), including the last two years as the defensive coordinator. The Scarlet Knights earned three bowl bids during that span. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2014 after serving in an interim role in 2013, and was also the special teams coordinator his first two years in Piscataway. Rutgers had a productive special teams unit under Rossi, scoring five special teams touchdowns in 2013 (two kickoff returns, one punt return, one blocked punt return, one fake field goal) and ranking first in the FBS in 2012 with eight blocked kicks.
Rossi coached five seasons at Maine, first as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach from 2007-08, then as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2009-11. The Black Bears posted one of the best defenses in the FCS under Rossi, and ranked No. 25 in pass efficiency defense, No. 26 in sacks and No. 31 in pass defense during his final season in Orono.
Rossi's first coaching position was at Thiel College, a Division III school in Greenville, Pennsylvania, from 2001-06. He started as the defensive line coach for two years (2001-02) before moving into the defensive coordinator role while coaching linebackers for four seasons (2003-06). His defense led the President's Athletic Conference in scoring defense, total defense, rush defense and pass defense in 2006.
A native of Pittsburgh, Rossi was a four-year letterwinner (1997-2000) as a defensive lineman at Allegheny College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history in 2001. He earned All-NCAC honors three times (first team in 1999 and 2000; second team in 1998) while starting in 41 games. As a team captain in 2000, he recorded 12 sacks – tied for the most in school history – along with 19 tackles for loss, and his 23 career sacks still rank fourth most in the Gator record book.
Rossi and his wife, Lynsey, have two sons, Nico and Luca.
THE ROSSI FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Minnesota (2018-23) [named defensive coordinator on Nov. 24, 2018]
Defensive line coach at Minnesota (named interim defensive coordinator on Nov. 4, 2018)
Defensive quality control at Minnesota (2017)
Defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Rutgers (2014-15)
Special teams coordinator at Rutgers (2012-13)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Maine (2009-11)
Special teams coordinator / defensive backs coach at Maine (2007-08)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Thiel College (2003-06)
Defensive line coach at Thiel College (2001-02)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Four-year letterwinner as a defensive lineman at Allegheny College (1997-2000)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
2022 Pinstripe Bowl
2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl
2020 Outback Bowl
2018 Quick Lane Bowl
2014 Quick Lane Bowl
2013 Pinstripe Bowl
2012 Russell Athletic Bowl
Rossi has spent the past six seasons (2018-23) at Minnesota, where he helped build the Gophers into one of the best defenses in the Big Ten as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Minnesota's defense ranked among the top 10 in the FBS in total defense three times (No. 3 in 2021, No. 8 in 2022, No. 10 in 2019) and scoring defense twice (No. 4 in 2022, No. 6 in 2021) under Rossi's direction.
The two-time Broyles Award nominee coached 30 All-Big Ten honorees, two first-team All-Americans and 10 NFL Draft picks during his time in Minneapolis. In his 62 games as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota, the Gophers posted a 40-22 record. Overall, Rossi has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and has been on the sidelines for seven bowl games.
The hiring is dependent on the completion of all university employment procedures.
"Joe Rossi has been nationally recognized for constructing one of the best defenses in the nation over the past few seasons," said Smith. "He has extensive experience in all areas of the defense throughout his career and has developed all-conference players and NFL Draft picks. He is also very familiar coaching in the Big Ten Conference. I'm excited to have Joe and his family join our staff in East Lansing."
Rossi's defense in 2023 featured All-America defensive back Tyler Nubin, who also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after recording 53 tackles, five interceptions and four pass break-ups.
A total of eight Gophers garnered All-Big Ten recognition in 2022 as the Gophers ranked fourth in the FBS in scoring defense (13.8 ppg), eighth in total defense (294.7 ypg) and 15th in pass defense (185.7 ypg) and rushing defense (109.0 ypg) en route to a nine-win season and a victory over Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl. Two defensive backs, Jordan Howden (Saints) and Terell Smith (Bears), were chosen in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Minnesota's defense in 2021 was one of the most dominant in school history and landed Rossi on the Broyles Award nomination list for the nation's best assistant coach. The Gophers were third in the FBS in total defense (278.8 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (17.3 ppg) and eighth in both rushing defense (97.5 ypg) and passing defense (181.2 ypg). Defensive end Boye Mafe led the way with seven sacks and was a second-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In addition, fellow defensive end Esezi Otomewo was fifth-round pick by the Vikings.
Rossi's first top-10 defense at Minnesota arrived in 2019, fueling the Gophers to a school-record 11-win season, a victory in the Outback Bowl over Auburn, and a No. 10 final ranking in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls. The Gophers allowed just 306.6 yards per game – the best mark for the program since 1977 – which was good for No. 10 in the FBS. Minnesota also ranked ninth in pass defense (184.2), 17th in interceptions (14) and 23rd in rushing defense.
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. set the tone for the defense, becoming the seventh unanimous first-team All-American in school history after tying a school record with seven interceptions. He was also named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and was one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award. Winfield was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 45 overall) and is in his fourth season in the NFL with Tampa Bay; he was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2020 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. In addition to Winfield, three other Gopher defensive players were drafted from the 2019 team: linebacker Kamal Martin (fifth round, Packers), linebacker Carter Coughlin (seventh round, Giants) and defensive back Chris Williamson (seventh round, Giants).
Rossi first arrived to Minnesota in 2017 as a quality control assistant, then was named to the on-field staff as a defensive line coach in 2018. He was named the interim defensive coordinator on Nov. 4, 2018, and the Gophers won three of their last four games of the season, including a win over Wisconsin in the regular-season finale and a victory over Georgia Tech in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Prior to his tenure at Minnesota, Rossi spent four seasons at Rutgers (2012-15), including the last two years as the defensive coordinator. The Scarlet Knights earned three bowl bids during that span. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2014 after serving in an interim role in 2013, and was also the special teams coordinator his first two years in Piscataway. Rutgers had a productive special teams unit under Rossi, scoring five special teams touchdowns in 2013 (two kickoff returns, one punt return, one blocked punt return, one fake field goal) and ranking first in the FBS in 2012 with eight blocked kicks.
Rossi coached five seasons at Maine, first as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach from 2007-08, then as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2009-11. The Black Bears posted one of the best defenses in the FCS under Rossi, and ranked No. 25 in pass efficiency defense, No. 26 in sacks and No. 31 in pass defense during his final season in Orono.
Rossi's first coaching position was at Thiel College, a Division III school in Greenville, Pennsylvania, from 2001-06. He started as the defensive line coach for two years (2001-02) before moving into the defensive coordinator role while coaching linebackers for four seasons (2003-06). His defense led the President's Athletic Conference in scoring defense, total defense, rush defense and pass defense in 2006.
A native of Pittsburgh, Rossi was a four-year letterwinner (1997-2000) as a defensive lineman at Allegheny College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history in 2001. He earned All-NCAC honors three times (first team in 1999 and 2000; second team in 1998) while starting in 41 games. As a team captain in 2000, he recorded 12 sacks – tied for the most in school history – along with 19 tackles for loss, and his 23 career sacks still rank fourth most in the Gator record book.
Rossi and his wife, Lynsey, have two sons, Nico and Luca.
THE ROSSI FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Minnesota (2018-23) [named defensive coordinator on Nov. 24, 2018]
Defensive line coach at Minnesota (named interim defensive coordinator on Nov. 4, 2018)
Defensive quality control at Minnesota (2017)
Defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Rutgers (2014-15)
Special teams coordinator at Rutgers (2012-13)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Maine (2009-11)
Special teams coordinator / defensive backs coach at Maine (2007-08)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Thiel College (2003-06)
Defensive line coach at Thiel College (2001-02)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Four-year letterwinner as a defensive lineman at Allegheny College (1997-2000)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
2022 Pinstripe Bowl
2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl
2020 Outback Bowl
2018 Quick Lane Bowl
2014 Quick Lane Bowl
2013 Pinstripe Bowl
2012 Russell Athletic Bowl
Players Mentioned
RB
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