How the Hurricanes poached Corey Hetherman from Minnesota and transformed their defense

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ARLINGTON, Texas — Corey Hetherman and his family were perfectly happy in Minnesota. He had just signed a contract extension with the Golden Gophers after a successful first year as their defensive coordinator.

But when Miami fired former defensive coordinator Lance Guidry on New Year’s Eve, Hetherman heard from an old friend, Mike Wexler. Wexler, an administrator at the Village School of Naples and a football coach who organizes coaching clinics through his private company, offered to connect Hetherman to Miami’s coaching staff through his long-time friend, UM offensive line coach Alex Mirabal. Wexler had already spoken to Mirabal, recommending Hetherman for the position.

“I flat-out asked him, ‘Coach, would you be interested in the defensive coordinator position at the University of Miami?’ ” Wexler told the South Florida Sun Sentinel in a text message. “He was pretty surprised, perplexed even —’Really? Are you serious?’ ”

Said Hetherman: “Through the years, he’s always pushed me, ‘Hey, Miami.’ And I didn’t really think it would ever happen.”

That conversation snowballed, and less than two weeks later, Hetherman was hired as Miami’s new defensive coordinator. His hiring was one of the most consequential coordinator changes of the offseason. Under him, the Hurricanes’ defense went from poor to elite, and it has carried them to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

“It’s something that kind of happened last minute,” Hetherman said. “It was almost 48 hours (and) so much changes. But … it’s awesome to be here and (an) awesome opportunity to have.”

Hetherman’s task was to fix Miami’s struggling defense. He had the tools at his disposal. The Hurricanes already had talent on the roster. They just needed to make some changes and bring in a few key players.

“When he first came in, he asked what kind of players we have,” defensive line coach Jason Taylor said. “And I said, ‘We got two pretty decent D-ends. You might want to look at them.’

“And we had some pretty damn good linebackers and some young guys coming up inside. We had some talented guys, and he’s done a good job of putting their pieces together.”

Hetherman’s initial assessment was not that the defense was bad. It just needed to jell and communicate better.

“I think the biggest thing was just getting the defense to play together — getting the D-line closer with the linebackers, the linebackers closer with the DBs and getting a group that was committed together, a group that enjoyed playing together. And then that way they could work together — communication, play for your teammate, running to the ball, playing physical. And I think that was the biggest thing really, probably in April.

“We get into spring football, and those are the things like, ‘Why aren’t we talking better? Why aren’t guys playing together better as a unit?’ Getting the group together to kind of work together and go after the same goals and be united on what the goal of the defense was, I think, the No. 1 goal.”

Hetherman could not do everything on his own. He and head coach Mario Cristobal added defensive line coach Damione Lewis and defensive backs coaches Zac Etheridge and Will Harris. They dove headfirst into the transfer portal and added several defensive players, completely overhauling last season’s porous secondary.

And as the team continued to work over the summer, leaders emerged. Defensive end Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Mo Toure and defensive back Keionte Scott were among those who seized those roles.

All the preparation led up to the crucial moment at the end of August. Miami hosted Notre Dame in the season opener that proved to be the defining game of the Hurricanes’ season. The Hurricanes held the Fighting Irish to just one touchdown in the first three quarters. Notre Dame rallied to make it a close game in the fourth quarter, but Miami held on for the win. Running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love managed just 33 yards. It was a harbinger of things to come.

“The biggest question was: How are we going to play at the biggest stage? Are we going to play together, are guys going to play within the scheme? Are guys going to play within doing your job or are you going to go off and kind of do your own thing?” Hetherman said. “And then No. 2: What’s going to happen the first time you see adversity?

“And we kind of got tested in the first game. We played a very good opponent. We give up a third-down touchdown. Our guys respond, they play really well. And then (in) the fourth quarter, we give up a couple plays. And then to win the game, our guys respond, all playing together, everyone kind of sacrificing making the big play or getting the spotlight for doing their job, playing within the scheme, playing within the defense and playing together as a defense. And I think that every week you’ve seen that get better and better.”

Miami did not allow more than 24 points in regulation for the rest of the season. The only team that scored more than that was SMU, which scored 26 points in an overtime win in Dallas.

Hetherman’s defense only got better down the stretch. In the Hurricanes’ first-ever playoff game, Miami held Texas A&M to just three points. The Hurricanes forced three turnovers. UM scored only 10 points in the victory, but that was enough because of the defense’s stellar play.

The Hurricanes’ defense ranks fourth in the nation in points allowed per game (13), seventh in rushing yards allowed per game (87.00), 32nd in passing yards allowed per game (194.5), tied for fourth in sacks (41) and 12th in tackles for loss (88).

Advanced metrics like Miami, as well. Pro Football Focus gives the Hurricanes top-12 marks in overall defense (third, 94.2 grade), run defense (tied for ninth, 93.1), pass-rushing (second, 92.1) and coverage (12th, 90.7). UM only grades out poorly in tackling (112th, 58).

“We knew we were going to get better because what he does really caters to our personnel,” Cristobal said. “We’re built to be a very aggressive front seven: guys that are explosive, guys that have length, that have power and twitch. So he did some great work at Minnesota. They were a top 10 defense over there, (James Madison), as well. So can you envision this level in Year 1? I mean, I think that’s hard for anybody. Nothing surprises us because of the way our guys work.”

Miami will need its defense to fire on all cylinders again on Wednesday night. Ohio State features Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin at quarterback, a 1,000-yard rusher, Bo Jackson, at running back and two of the nation’s top receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.

But if the Hurricanes’ first 13 games have shown anything, Hetherman’s defense will be up to the challenge.

“He’s a teacher, and he’s a great teacher at that,” Toure said. “Great soul, great person, great human being. He’s still the same guy, still humble. He still coaches us the same. He still pushes us every single day to be great.”

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