Minnesota Football Coaching Staff Overhauled
Former Gophers Star Takes Reins
Kirk Ciarrocca Departs for Penn State
The University of Minnesota has announced a major shakeup of its football coaching staff, with the departure of offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca for Penn State and the promotion of former Gophers star Mike Sanford Jr. to the same role.
Ciarrocca, who spent two seasons in Minneapolis, helped lead the Gophers to a 14-11 record, including a berth in the 2020 Outback Bowl. However, the offense struggled in 2021, averaging just 23.2 points per game.
Sanford, a former quarterback for the Gophers from 2006-08, returns to Minnesota after a successful stint as the head coach at Western Kentucky. Under his leadership, the Hilltoppers went 9-4 in 2021, their best record since 2007.
Other Staff Changes
In addition to Ciarrocca's departure, the Gophers have also announced the following coaching changes:
- Matt Simon has been promoted from wide receivers coach to passing game coordinator.
- Clay Patterson has been hired as the new offensive line coach.
- Joe Rossi has been retained as defensive coordinator.
- Paul Haynes has been promoted from safeties coach to co-defensive coordinator.
- Marcus Coleman has been hired as the new running backs coach.
Expectations High
The Gophers are hoping that the new coaching staff can turn around a program that has struggled to sustain success in recent years. Minnesota has not won a bowl game since 2016 and has not finished with a winning record in the Big Ten since 2014.
Sanford, who was a two-time All-Big Ten selection as a player, is excited about the opportunity to lead his alma mater.
"I'm honored to be back at the University of Minnesota," Sanford said in a statement. "This is a special place with a rich football tradition, and I'm excited to lead this program back to prominence."
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