Minnesota reportedly hiring special teams coordinator with extensive NFL experience

Minnesota is adding experienced assistant Bob Ligashesky to its staff, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

A source told Thamel that Ligashesky will be joining the Golden Gophers as a special teams coordinator after spending this season with Syracuse. Ligashesky has coached for 6 different NFL teams including the Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Source: Minnesota is set to hire Syracuse’s Bob Ligashesky as the school’s new special teams coordinator. He’s a veteran coach who has coached special teams for six different NFL teams. He’s also coached at Bowling Green, Illinois and Pitt in college.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 5, 2024

The new Minnesota assistant has college experience as well. He has been with Arizona State, Wake Forest, Illinois, Kent State, Pitt, and Bowling Green. Ligashesky coached tight ends and was the special teams coordinator with the Fighting Illini from 2016-2020. The Golden Gophers had an opening at the position after Rob Wenger left the program.

Minnesota finished with a 5-7 record in the regular season, however it was allowed to play in a bowl game because of its high APR. The Golden Gophers earned their 7th consecutive bowl win dating back to 2015 by beating Bowling Green 30-24 in the Quick Lane Bowl.