Collins Takes Over Defensive Reins for Gophers
The Minnesota Gophers football program wasted no time finding a replacement for departed defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, promoting from within and naming safeties coach Danny Collins as their new DC. Head coach P.J. Fleck announced the hire on Thursday.
Collins has been a key member of Fleck’s staff since their days at Western Michigan, following him to Minnesota in 2017. He served as the Gophers’ safeties coach and pass game coordinator last season. In his new role, Collins will continue to oversee the safeties while taking on the larger responsibility of running the entire defense.
Danny is one of the brightest young defensive minds in the country. I have had the privilege of watching him grow as a coach on my staff for many years, and I know he is the right person to lead our defense moving forward.
– P.J. Fleck on promoting Danny Collins
More Moves to Reshape Defensive Staff
Collins’ promotion headlined a series of defensive coaching changes Fleck unveiled Thursday:
- Mariano Sori-Marin promoted to linebackers coach – the former Gophers linebacker and 3rd team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 joins the staff in his first coaching role
- Dennis Dottin-Carter named rush ends coach – served in an analyst role last year after previous DL coaching stints at Delaware and UConn
- Kevin Kane hired as nickel backs and OLBs coach – spent the last two seasons as Purdue’s DC and has prior DC experience at SMU and Northern Illinois
The Gophers are aiming for continuity by elevating Collins, while also injecting fresh perspectives from Sori-Marin and Kane. With Collins’ expertise in the secondary, Sori-Marin’s insights as a former player, Dottin-Carter’s DL background, and Kane’s experience running a defense, Fleck believes he has assembled a well-rounded staff.
Replacing Hetherman No Small Task
Hetherman departs Minnesota after just one season as DC, leaving to take the same position at Miami. In his lone year with the Gophers, Hetherman’s defense led the Big Ten in total yards and points allowed.
Collins will be tasked with maintaining that high level of play. As Minnesota looks to build off an impressive 2024 campaign, establishing consistency and chemistry on defense will be pivotal. With Collins at the controls and his hand-picked staff beside him, the Gophers are confident they can continue to thrive defensively in the uber-competitive Big Ten West.
The Danny Collins File
- Played safety at Western Kentucky (2004-2008)
- Coaching career began as GA at Alcorn State (2009)
- Coached DBs at Albion College (2010-2012)
- Followed P.J. Fleck from WMU to Minnesota in 2017
- Coached Gophers safeties from 2017-2024, adding pass game coordinator role in 2022
I am incredibly honored and humbled to accept this opportunity to be the defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota. I want to thank Coach Fleck for his trust in me. I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes and the rest of our coaching staff to develop a championship-caliber defense.
– Danny Collins
With spring practice on the horizon, Collins and the new-look defensive staff will aim to make a strong first impression. Gopher fans are eager to see if this revamped brain trust can continue Minnesota’s upward trajectory in the Big Ten and nationally under P.J. Fleck’s leadership. Danny Collins’ promotion marks the latest step in that journey.
