It was announced Thursday that Maine football head coach Joe Harasymiak and defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman are both leaving the school for other coaching opportunities. Harasymiaks departure was first announced by Yahoo sports.
Harasymiak, who was first hired as interim head coach in 2015 before assuming the full time time role in 2016, led Maine to a 20-15 mark in three seasons. He just led the 10-4 Bears to the 2018 CAA title and an appearance in the FCS semifinals for the first time in school history. He started at Maine under Jack Cosgrove as a defensive assistant in 2011, then to defensive coordinator in 2013 before the interim position. Harasymiak will be hired as a defensive assistant for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers out of the Big 10. An offical announcement will be made in the coming days by Minnesota.
As first reported by Andrew Badillo from Fox 22 (WVII channel 7), Hetherman is also leaving for the same position of defensive coordinator at James Madison University. Hetherman first joined the coaching staff at Maine in 2015 as the defensive line coach, then was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2016 by Harasymiak. Maine Athletic Director Ken Ralph says an immediate national search will be conducted that will also include internal candidates, and he says a decision will be made by the New Year.
