The Gophers on Thursday completed the restructuring of their defensive coaching staff, promoting safeties coach Danny Collins to defensive coordinator and hiring former Purdue defensive coordinator Kevin Kane as nickels/outside linebackers coach.

Danny Collins has been with the Gophers since the arrival of head coach P.J. Fleck in 2017 and most recently served as safeties coach and pass game coordinator.

A long-time member of the Minnesota Gophers football coaching room will now act as the team's defensive coordinator.

MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck announced today that Danny Collins was promoted to defensive coordinator. Collins, who will still coach the safeties, has been at Minnesota since 2017 and most recently served as the safeties coach / pass game coordinator.

Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck has promoted Danny Collins to defensive coordinator, filling the vacancy created when Corey Hetherman left to take the same job at Miami (Fla.) last month. Collins has been at Minnesota since 2017 and most recently served as the safeties coach and pass game coordinator. He will still coach the safeties.

The Gophers are expected to promote safeties coach Danny Collins to defensive play-caller and co-defensive coordinator, replacing Corey Hetherman, who accepted the same job at Miami (FL) over the weekend.

The Minnesota Gophers football team will have a new defensive coordinator for the 2025 season. The team promoted safeties coach Danny Collins to the role on Thursday. Collins takes