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Jonathan Smith poaching key B1G assistant for DC role at MSU, per report

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Jonathan Smith is rounding out his first coaching staff at Michigan State, and he’s expected to land an active B1G defensive coordinator to fill the same post with the Spartans.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Smith is expected to hire Minnesota DC Joe Rossi to become the DC in East Lansing. Rossi has been the DC for the Golden Gophers since the end of the 2018 season with some strong performances by that unit. Rossi also coached linebackers at Minnesota.

During the 2022 season, Rossi engineered a top-5 defense as Minnesota allowed 13.8 points per game, the 4th-best mark in the country. Minnesota held 6 opponents to 10 points or less last season.

Minnesota also finished 6th nationally in scoring defense during the 2021 season with Minnesota registering 18 wins across the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Prior to Minnesota, Rossi spent time at Rutgers from 2012-15, including 2014-15 as DC of the Scarlet Knights.

Smith’s MSU staff is really taking shape now with Blue Adams (secondary) and Legi Suiaunoa (defensive line) already confirmed by the Spartans. The offensive staff features Brian Lindgren (OC/QBs), Jim Michalczik (OL/run game coordinator), Brian Wozniak (TEs/Recruiting coordinator) and Keith Bhonapha (asst. head coach/RBs).

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.