PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano has named Joe Harasymiak defensive coordinator. A native of Waldwick, New Jersey, Harasymiak spent the last four seasons on the Minnesota staff, most recently as co-defensive coordinator.
 
"Joe is one of the rising stars in our profession," Schiano said. "It is great to bring Joe back to New Jersey, where I can't wait to watch him coach and develop our players both on and off the field. We welcome Joe, his wife Brittany and daughters Sophie and Ellie to the Rutgers Football Family."
 
Harasymiak earned a promotion to co-defensive coordinator in Feb. 2020. The Golden Gophers ranked third in the nation in total defense (278.8), fourth in first downs defense (202), sixth in scoring defense (17.3), eighth in rushing defense (97.5) and ninth in passing yards allowed (181.2) this past season. Minnesota held eight-straight opponents, and 10 of the last 11, below their total offense average entering the game. That included limiting West Virginia to 206 yards and six points in a win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
 
The unit saw five players recognized in the All-Big Ten voting.
 
In 2019, Harasymiak mentored safeties Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Howden and Chris Williamson. Winfield led Minnesota with 88 tackles and was named a unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Howden and Williamson finished tied for fourth on the team with 57 tackles and each came up with critical interceptions during the season. The Gophers ended the year with 14 interceptions, which ranked second in the Big Ten. He initially joined Minnesota for the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl win over Georgia Tech.
 
Harasymiak served as head coach at Maine from 2016-18. He guided the Black Bears to an overall record of 20-15 and a 15-9 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association.
 
In 2018, he led the Black Bears to a 10-4 overall record, a 7-1 conference mark and a CAA championship. Maine advanced to its first Football Championship Subdivision national semifinal appearance in school history under his guidance. Harasymiak earned FCS Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.
 
Harasymiak previously served as defensive assistant and defensive backs coach at Maine in 2011 and then coached the defensive backs from 2012-13. He was promoted to defensive coordinator and coached the linebackers from 2014-15. Harasymiak was named interim head coach in Nov. 2015 and assumed head coaching duties in Jan. 2016.
 
Prior to his time at Maine, he served as a graduate assistant coach with the wide receivers and quarterbacks at his alma mater, Springfield College. He was also an assistant coach at Maine Maritime Academy in 2008.
 
Harasymiak earned his Bachelor of Science in physical education from Springfield College in 2008 and played for the Pride from 2004-07. He served as team captain in 2007.
 
Coaching History
2022-present: Rutgers (defensive coordinator)
2020-21: Minnesota (co-defensive coordinator)
2018-19: Minnesota (defensive backs/safeties)
2016-18: Maine (head coach)
2014-15: Maine (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2012-13: Maine (defensive backs)
2011: Maine (defensive assistant/defensive backs)
2009-10: Springfield College (graduate assistant/wide receivers/quarterbacks)
2008: Maine Maritime Academy (assistant coach)
 
Harasymiak File
Hometown: Waldwick, N.J.
Alma Mater: Springfield College, 2008
Wife: Brittany
Children: Daughters, Sophie and Ellie
 
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