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Gopher Football 2009: Bringing It All Back Home

Kristopher Fiecke

Contributor Written on June 19, 2009

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 27: Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Tim Brewster watches his team in action against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 27, 2008 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

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Tim Brewster starts the 2009 with a new defensive coordinator. Former DC Ted Roof left the program to take over the defense at Auburn. Brewster decided to bring in former Wisconsin and Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, who will be a co-coordinator with defensive backs coach, Ronnie Lee. Lee and Cosgrove will work together on a defense that made significant improvements last year after ranking near the bottom in 2007.

Cosgrove and Lee's first challenge will be replacing standout defensive end Willie Van De Steeg. Van De Steeg led the team in sacks last year, and his ability to get to the QB will be missed. The Gophers could start as many as 9 seniors on defense, led by standout corner Traye Simmons, middle linebacker Lee Campbell and rover/linebacker Simoni Lawrence.

The opening of TCF Bank Stadium brings heightened excitement and enthusiasm to the University of Minnesota. It also brings heightened expectations. The pressure is on Tim Brewster to take this program to the next level and get this team back to the Rose Bowl. Brewster has succeeded in bringing in better recruits, now the pressure's on him to get those recruits perform. The program needs to take that next step forward this year, or Brewster could be on the hot seat.

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written on June 19, 2009 Preview/Prediction