Report: Gophers set to hire Bob Ligashesky as next special teams coordinator

Ligashesky has 39 years of coaching experience at college and NFL levels.

The Gophers football team is set to hire Syracuse special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky for the same role at Minnesota, according to multiple reports.

Ligashesky has extensive coaching experience, having spent 39 years in the coaching ranks on the college and NFL levels. He’s worked for six NFL teams and eight Division I college programs, most recently spending 2022-23 at Syracuse.

Ligashesky fills the void left when former Gophers special teams coordinator Rob Wenger reportedly stepped away from the program on Jan. 3. Wenger coached excellent kickers during his tenure at the U, but the Gophers’ kickoff coverage units were often underwhelming.

Here’s how Ligashesky’s special teams unit at Syracuse ranked nationally compared to the U’s special teams unit this season: 

Kickoff return defense

• Syracuse: No. 47
• Gophers: T-No. 104

Net punting

• Gophers: No. 35 
• Syracuse: No. 68

Punt return defense

• Gophers: No. 29
• Syracuse: No. 122

Punt returns

• Gophers: No. 21 
• Syracuse: No. 50

Blocked kicks

• Syracuse: T-No. 62
• Gophers: T-No. 62 

Blocked kicks allowed

• Syracuse: T-No. 1 
• Gophers: T-No. 43

Blocked punts

• Syracuse: T-No. 21 
• Gophers: T-No. 21 

Blocked punts allowed 

• Syracuse: T-No. 1 
• Gophers: T-No. 1