Just a week out from their Rate Bowl matchup against New Mexico on December 26, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are dealing with yet another shakeup on the defensive coaching staff - the kind of disruption that’s become all too familiar in recent offseasons. This time, it’s assistant coach Kevin Kane heading out the door, reportedly returning to Purdue to reclaim the defensive coordinator role he held just a season ago.
A Familiar Face Heads Back to West Lafayette
Kane, who coached Minnesota’s nickels and outside linebackers in 2025, is expected to rejoin Purdue as their defensive coordinator - the same position he was let go from less than a year ago. That’s right: Kane is heading back to the Boilermakers after being dismissed last offseason, only to now be reinstalled in the same role following the firing of his replacement, Mike Sherer.
It’s a full-circle moment for the 42-year-old coach, whose resume already includes stops as DC at SMU and Northern Illinois, as well as a stint at Illinois as associate head coach and OLB coach. But his quick return to Purdue raises eyebrows. Whether it’s a sign that Purdue’s players or leadership never truly wanted him gone - or that Sherer’s one-year tenure didn’t inspire confidence - the Boilermakers clearly believe Kane is still the right man for the job.
Another Defensive Departure for the Gophers
For Minnesota, this marks the third straight offseason that a defensive coach has been poached - and the second time in three years that it’s come from within the Big Ten. First it was Joe Rossi to Michigan State.
Then Corey Hetherman to Miami. Now Kane, albeit in a more behind-the-scenes role, is off to Purdue.
And while Kane wasn’t a household name among Gopher fans - his one-year stint in Minnesota didn’t draw much attention - his exit continues a troubling trend for head coach P.J. Fleck: defensive staff turnover that’s starting to take a toll on the field.
A Defense in Decline
Minnesota’s once-proud defense, which under Rossi and Hetherman regularly ranked among the Big Ten’s best, took a clear step back in 2025 under first-year defensive coordinator Danny Collins. The numbers tell the story: 13th in the Big Ten in points allowed (23.4 PPG), 11th in total yards allowed (342.3 YPG). Nationally, that’s 58th and 41st, respectively - not disastrous, but a far cry from the dominant units Gopher fans had grown accustomed to.
There were flashes. Against less dynamic offenses, Collins’ defense showed some backbone.
But when the Gophers faced elite competition - like Ohio State and Oregon - the defense simply couldn’t hold up. In those matchups, the maroon and gold were outmatched, and the offense never had a real shot to keep pace.
What It Means Moving Forward
Kane’s departure likely won’t register as a major loss in the short term - he wasn’t calling plays, and his impact wasn’t especially visible on game days. But the broader concern is continuity. Three defensive coaching departures in as many years is tough on any program, especially one trying to maintain a defensive identity in a conference that’s only getting deeper and more explosive on offense.
As the Gophers prepare for their bowl game in Phoenix, all eyes will be on how the defense responds. P.J. Fleck has never lost a bowl game as Minnesota’s head coach - a perfect 6-0 - and he’ll be looking to make it seven straight against a New Mexico team that’s better than its record suggests.
But win or lose, this latest coaching shuffle is another reminder that Minnesota has work to do if it wants to stabilize its defensive foundation. Because in today’s Big Ten, where offensive firepower is becoming the norm, a leaky defense won’t cut it - no matter how solid your bowl record is.