Minnesota assistant coach to miss Illinois game due to COVID-19
Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi will miss the Gopher’s Week 3 game vs. Illinois, the program announced Thursday morning.
News: #Gophers defensive coordinator Joe Rossi will not coach against Illini on Saturday due to a positive #COVID19 test, the school said Thursday.
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) November 5, 2020
Rossi has tested positive for COVID-19 and will now enter a minimum 10-day period of isolation, per Big Ten policy.
Minnesota also said no other coaches have tested positive. Safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak will call the defense on Saturday.
The Gophers are 0-2 this season following losses to Michigan and Maryland.
The Big Ten has had its fair share of struggles with COVID-19 early in the season. Purdue coach Jeff Brohm missed the season-opener due to a positive test. More recently, Wisconsin has had to cancel two games due to an outbreak within the program.
Minnesota’s opponent this weekend, Illinois, will also be without several players including quarterback Brandon Peters due to COVID-19.
Rossi has been on Minnesota’s coaching staff since 2017 and has been the Gophers’ defensive coordinator since November of 2018.
Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.