Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi agrees to contract extension
Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has agreed to a contract extension with the Gophers.
The extension is set to be approved at Minnesota’s board of regents meeting next week.
#Gophers Joe Rossi defensive coordinator getting a contract extension which will be approved by UMN Regents next week — his salary ranks 12 of 13 in B10. pic.twitter.com/flvpxNru2g
— Eric Vegoe (@evegoe) May 7, 2021
Rossi is now under contract through Jan. 31, 2023. He’ll be paid $650,000 per season over the next two years.
There’s also a buyout of $125,000 if Rossi leaves for another program before the end of his contract.
Rossi has been with Minnesota since 2017. He began has a quality control assistant and was the Gophers’ defensive coordinator mid-way through the 2018 season. He replaced Robb Smith.
Since he took over as DC, Minnesota is 17-7. That includes a small step back last season, when the Gophers went 3-7 during a campaign that was significantly impacted by COVID-19.
In 2019, Rossi’s defense led Minnesota to a 11-2 record. It was the first time Minnesota has won 10 or more games since 2003.
Rossi, 42, has also worked as an assistant coach at Maine and Rutgers.