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Gophers officially announce new RBs coach, rush ends coach, three more assistants

It looks like Minnesota has finalized its 2025-26 coaching staff... for now.
Tony Liebert|
Jan 3, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field during the first quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Dukes’ Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field during the first quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Dukes’ Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota officially announced five new additions to its coaching staff on Tuesday. Running backs coach Jayden Everett and rush ends coach C.J. Robbins were well-known to be next, but the program also announced three new assistant coaches.

Jayden Everett, running backs coach

Everett was most recently an assistant running backs coach at Michigan in 2024, but he was a Division I RBs coach for 10 seasons prior at Indiana State, Central Michigan, Akron, Tulsa and Vanderbilt. He replaces Nic McKissic-Luke who accepted the same role with the New York Jets.

C.J. Robbins, rush ends coach

Robbins previously coached for the Gophers in 2020 and 2021, but he now replaces Dennis Dottin-Carter, who was promoted to defensive line coach after Winston DeLattiboudere III left for the same role with the Arizona Cardinals. Robbins was set to be the defensive line coach at Central Michigan before joining Minnesota's staff.

The three new hires that Minnesota announced were Nick Faus as assistant wide receivers coach, Christian Pawola as assistant defensive backs coach and Jordan Hendy as an offensive analyst.

Nick Faus, assistant wide receivers coach

Faus was a senior offensive analyst at Pittsburgh in 2024 and he coached the wide receivers at Kent State in 2023 after spending the 2022 season as a graduate assistant at Minnesota. Before that, he spent time with West Virginia and Western Michigan.

Christian Pawola, assistant defensive backs coach

Pawola graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2020 and he was a defensive student assistant coach, reporting directly to former defensive coordinator Joe Rossi. He was the linebackers coach at Division III Thiel College in 2021, and most recently was the assistant DBs coach at Michigan State last season under Rossi, but he now returns to Dinkytown.

Jordan Hendy, offensive analyst

Hendy played defensive back at Toledo from 2018 to 2020 after two seasons at the Junior College level. He finished his playing career on the third-team All-MIAA at Pittsburg State in 2021. His coaching career began at the University of Central Oklahoma in 2022, but he has been on the Pittsburg State staff ever since.

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Tony Liebert
TONY LIEBERT

Tony Liebert is particularly known for his coverage of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, though he also contributes to coverage of the Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves and Twins. His writing style is noted for providing in-depth analysis and insights, making him a go-to source for fans looking for comprehensive coverage of Minnesota sports.

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