Hurricanes Hire Hetherman

University of Miami head coach Mario Cristobal announced the hiring of Corey Hetherman to the position of defensive coordinator Sunday. Hetherman’s hire is pending completion of a standard University background check.

Hetherman arrives in Coral Gables after spending the 2024 season as defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota, where he helped lead the Golden Gophers to an 8-5 finish, a 5-4 mark in Big Ten play and a win over Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl this past December.

Hetherman oversaw a Gophers unit that was ninth nationally in points allowed (16.9 per game), fifth in total defense (285.7 yards allowed per game), 12th in rushing defense (109.6) and tied for ninth in passing defense (176.1). Minnesota’s 22 interceptions tied for seventh nationally, and its plus-9 turnover margin is tied for 17th.

Before his season in Minneapolis, Hetherman spent the two previous years (2022-2023) as the linebackers coach at Rutgers. Prior to that he was the defensive coordinator at James Madison from 2019-21 and was named the AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021.

At Rutgers, Hetherman took over an inexperienced unit that had seven combined career starts prior to his arrival before the 2022 season. That year, the defense improved by allowing 46.7 fewer yards per game compared to 2021, 28.1 fewer passing yards and 18.6 fewer rushing yards. Rutgers posted its best mark in total defense (349.8) in 10 years.

In 2023, Hetherman coached a pair of honorable mention All-Big Ten linebackers in Mohamed Toure and Deion Jennings. Jennings led the team in tackles, while Toure finished second.

Hetherman spent 2019-21 at James Madison as the defensive coordinator. His defense ranked in the top 10 in both total defense and scoring defense in all three years he was there.

In 2021, Hetherman was promoted to Associate Head Coach and was named the AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year after James Madison finished with the No. 2 defense in the nation. The Dukes allowed only 275.2 yards per game and also ranked first in the nation in turnovers forced (31), fifth in third-down defense (27.2 percent), seventh in scoring defense (15.4) and eighth in rushing defense (89.0). Four defensive players were recognized as 2021 All-Americans and six were named All-CAA. James Madison ended the season with a 12-2 record and advanced to the FCS semifinals.

In 2020, Hetherman was selected to the AFCA’s 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute and James Madison’s defense ranked third in the FCS in rush defense (72.4) and interceptions (12) in the spring of 2021, while ranking fifth in total defense (243.4), sixth in pass efficiency defense (100.74) and eighth in scoring defense (16.5).

In 2017, Maine led the CAA on third down, allowing the opposition to a 27 percent success rate. During his first year leading Maine’s defense, he helped mentor all-conference lineman Pat Ricard to the NFL after he ranked second in the conference in tackles-for-loss and fifth in sacks. Maine ranked third in the league in pass defense at 217.1 yards per game allowed.

Hetherman coached the defensive line in 2015 and his unit ranked second in the CAA in rushing defense, surrendering just 110.8 yards per game. They also were second in the CAA in sacks with 32. Two linemen earned First Team All-CAA honors. The duo combined for 31.0 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks, as Trevor Bates would go on to be a seventh-round draft pick to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Comments

[Sarasota 'cane]

Sounds like a great hire to me!

Go ’canes!

[W]

2 for U
from W (double U)

[Ohio_Cane]

This is a GREAT hire. Minnesota's defense was balling this year

[Ohio_Cane]

Miami DL Akheem Mesidor just announced on Instagram that he’s officially returning for another season.

Big for him and our DL

[58 Straight]

Surprisingly I casually followed Minnesota football at the end of the year and bet on them to win their bowl game. They beat VT 24-10 convincingly in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.

Meanwhile, VT scored 34 points on Miami this season and lost to the Canes on an overturned Hail Mary TD at the end of the game.

So, there is that.

[Old Skool]

So for those questioning $4 million for Beck. Quinn Evers is reportedly considering a $6 million offer to stay in college another year. And Caleb Williams reportedly earned $10 million during his last 2 years at USC.

[86Cane]

Interesting fact: Minnesota has lost either their defensive or offensive coordinator each of the last three years to other Power 5 schools.

[86Cane]

READ IT AGAIN: Hetherman oversaw a Gophers unit that was ninth nationally in points allowed (16.9 per game), fifth in total defense (285.7 yards allowed per game), 12th in rushing defense (109.6) and tied for ninth in passing defense (176.1). Minnesota’s 22 interceptions tied for seventh nationally, and its plus-9 turnover margin is tied for 17th.

BY COMPARISON: Miami was 70th in scoring defense, 27th in total defense, 19th in rushing defense, 57th in passing defense, 27th in interceptions with 13 and 52nd in turnover margin.

[AeroCane]

86 - a good move and if Mario had listened to me and fired Guidry after the Cali game (and hired a monkey), we almost suredly would of been in the top 12 and watching cam a few more games!

[Herbieibis]

Yeah well Guidry had a very good dee before he came to us.

[AeroCane]

Maybe herb but just listen to the interviews. It was clear even to me that Guidry has a low football iQ and the new guy doesn’t. It’s going to make a huge difference and I do believe with new DL and new DB coaches along with the new DC, our D is going to be very much improved!

[Herbieibis]

No doubt Aero, we can only go up.

[VA Cane]

I do not know how well Beck will recover but we will see. He has pretty good pedigree, and has been part of a chamionship team and culture. That cannot be bad. His numbers are not bad overall; he did better in 2023 than 2024 and of course was hurt in 2024. He is not Cam but heck let him be himself and see if he can lead. The great point is that he is a leader a proven leader and has been in big games and situations.

This will give QB experience for 2025 season along with a proven DC. MN was good D team. Now you must get players to buy into this opportunity. Guys have to stop playing for themselves and play for the team. Glad #3 George is gone....good player BUT crucial drops and stupid unsportsmanlike penalties several times that kill you. First one he should have been gone.

You discipline people with hard love....Butch Davis was a good example of this. CMCC needs to stop being Mr Mellow. Winning takes discipline and frankly I am tired of so much woke womb to tomb attitude; you have to teach young people honesty, accountability, discipline and work ethic. Season looked good overall, but really was a lot of smoke and mirrors, luck, 4 leaf cloves, magic and questionable breaks. CMC is on trial this year; he needs to produce he needs to act like the head coach and he needs to drive the kids to be better as a team not individuals!

The work begins now and I hope we are willing to put the work in.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Darrin Smith, on third of the Bermuda Triangle linebacker corps, is a college football Hall of Fame inductee this year. Overdue, but better late than never.

[JCane]

D Nicholson reportedly heading to the coaching staff of Mizzou. No shock, with a new D staff coming in, but he was a solid guy.

[CGNC]

Happy New Year Peeps! Watched part of our basketball team the other night against Duke - it was UGLY.

In random news - Isaiah Wong plays for the Charlotte Hornets and Jordan Miller had a great game for the LA Clippers against the Kings.

[VA Cane]

I watched part of it too CGNC.....but it was pretty bad....could not watch all of it. Sad how far they have fallen!

Hope CMC plans on hitting the ground running this spring. These guys got to focus on the here and now. We got to fix that D....it was bad all year not just at the end. Never seen so many guys out of place could not tackle cover get pressure consistently.....we got to work on it for sure.

[MLALUMNI 1970]

CGNC I watched the game with Duke, too. And the women’s game, too. Neither game was pretty. I miss the old days, when we were playing much better.
I’m in Florida right now, for the winter. Better weather than in Michigan, for sure. Grieving over the death of my Richard. My love, for over 40 years.
Go CANES! ALWAYS!
My wish for health and happiness for all of you Canespacers!

[MLALUMNI 1970!]

Sure Miss Isiah Wong and Jordan Miller. Wish them all the best in their future careers.
Seems like the Canes don’t have any good teams, as of now. At least, I have the memories of many other years.🟩🟧

[Herbieibis]

Looks like Mario is plugging all the leaks on the dee.

[Old Skool]

Xavier Lucas has been set free and is coming to the U

[Herbieibis]

Not completely set free but free enough to transfer. Lawsuit.

[TonyCane]

Miami completely flipped the secondary.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Matt Cross is back, on his fourth college team in five years, and will be sorely missed by Miami today.

[Old Skool]

Surprise. Miami loses again. This time it's to that renowned basketball powerhouse: SMU

[Ohio_Cane]

Ugh, Canes bball is the polar opposite of the Washington Commanders franchise right now...

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Kidd, Huie, Johnson, Cleveland and Djobet in zone is probably their best chance at stopping anyone right now.

That means you have Cleveland at guard and Johnson as a point-forward handling the ball though mostly offensively which is a roller coaster ride waiting to happen.

[Old Skool]

Canes Bball is the equatorial equivalent of the Washington Generals

[CGNC]

I did not watch the NC game last night - two teams I really dislike but the least of all evils beat the one I dislike most. So I have that going for me LOL.

Enjoy your week Peeps!

[CGNC]

Xavier Lucas has been set free and is coming to the U

Posted by: Old Skool | January 17, 2025 at 05:47 PM

Are you sure? It looks like Wisconsin is accusing Miami of tampering

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/43471646/wisconsin-alleges-miami-tampered-xavier-lucas-transfer

[Old Skool]

There's a dispute for sure. Lucas' lawyer is adamant he will prevail. Of course, that's what they all say. If the contract/agreement that Lucas signed says he can not quit school for two years or play for any other team. They may have a case. Otherwise, the fact that he disenrolled rather that entered the portal seems to be a unique action. That either is a loophole being exploited or a precedent to either be overturned.

[Ohio_Cane]

I'm not lawyer, but Lucas hasn't even been paid by Wisconsin. They have no leg to stand on and the NCAA already made a statement that they're not getting involved.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Xavier Lucas is enrolled at Miami, matriculating, and, as long as he remains academically eligible, is allowed to play a sport at his new school since he has three years left on his clock of five to play four total.

Badgers have, and get, nothing while being unable to do anything but suck it up and take it. Next time, put the player's name in the portal as the NCAA bylaws tell you the athletic department is required to instead of sour grapes stomping over the fact that no one wants to play in Madison.

[Old Skool]

The Canes score over half a hundred points against Stanford and still manage to lose.
At this rate, the U's Bball NIL will become an NIO (Name and Image Obscurred)

[roachcane77]

At this rate, the U's Bball NIL will become an NIO (Name and Image Obscurred)
Posted by: Old Skool | January 23, 2025 at 12:22 PM

😂😂😂 😭 NIIICE one!

[W]

QuietSpace?

[Ohio_Cane]

Miami hires Houston's Zac Etheridge as DB Coach

[CGNC]

Miami hires Houston's Zac Etheridge as DB Coach

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM

Do we like this? I actually have no idea LOL

[Ohio_Cane]

Do we like this? I actually have no idea LOL

Posted by: CGNC | January 28, 2025 at 02:52 PM
------------------------------------------

I know nothing about him lol

[orange 'n green in the vein]

He won the national title in 2010 as a player and captain of the Auburn Tigers as a safety. Tough player, came back from a messed up neck where he suffered vertebra damage and torn ligaments. Cristobal knocking on the door of the playoffs this year means until I see a reason otherwise to doubt the hire, it's fine.

[Herbieibis]

ZAC WHO?

[Sarasota 'cane]

Do we like this? I actually have no idea LOL

Posted by: CGNC | January 28, 2025 at 02:52 PM

LOL! This reminds me of the NFL draft when a team drafts a guy the fans have never heard of. When the camera pans the fans of that team they’re doing that confused excitement thing!😂

[CGNC]

Cam Ward wins Manning Award. Good for him!

[MLALUMNI 1970]

Happy for Cam Ward and wish him all the best, in his future endeavors.🟩🟧
Good news for me. Oncologist, here in Florida, have given me the all clear. Colon cancer is not anywhere in my body. Must go back every 3 months, and am happy to do so.
So, I will be around for the fall football season! GO CANES!🟩🟧
Thank you Canespacers for all of your prayers.🩷

[AeroCane]

So happy to hear ML!

[CaneWarrior]

Great news ML.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Excellent News ML

[VA Cane]

Happy for you ML we all enjoy your input here and we all are glad all went well!
Lets get those Canes focused!

God bless you always!!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

So glad to hear ML!!

[MLALUMNI 1970]

At 76, I feel like a new person, since I’m cancer free! I have to get it checked out every three months. I am a relieved woman. NOW, on to our HURRICANES.
GO MIAMI HURRICANES! Win it all! 🟩🟧