University of Minnesota Athletics
Football
Harasymiak, Joe
Joe Harasymiak
- Title:
- Defensive Backs, Safeties and Co-Defensive Coordinator
Joe Harasymiak joined the Minnesota staff in December 2018. He coached defensive backs and safeties in 2019 and was promoted to Defensive Backs, Safeties and Co-Defensive Coordinator in February 2020.
In 2020, Harasymiak mentored a young group of safeties that were led by junior Jordan Howden and second-year player Tyler Nubin. Nubin finished second on the team with 41 tackles, while Howeden was third with 37 stops. Nubin added one interception and forced one fumble as well. Justus Harris added 19 tackles on the season - sixth on the team - seeing most of his action at the nickel.
In 2019, Harasymiak mentored safeties Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Howden and Chris Williamson. Winfield led Minnesota with 88 tackles and was named a Unanimous All-American and was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Howden and Williamson finished tied for fourth on the team with 57 tackles and each came up with critical interceptions during the season. Howden made a game-winning interception in the end zone as Minnesota beat No. 5 Penn State last season and Williamson returned a 43-yard interception for a touchdown in a seven-point win to open the season against South Dakota State. The Gophers ended the year with 14 interceptions, which ranked second in the Big Ten.
Harasymiak came to Minnesota from Maine, where he served as head coach since 2016. He guided the Black Bears to an overall record of 20-15 and a 15-9 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association.
In 2018, he led the Black Bears to a 10-4 overall record, a 7-1 conference mark and a CAA championship. Maine advanced to its first Football Championship Subdivision national semifinal appearance in school history under his guidance. Harasymiak was named FCS coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association after Maine's historic season.
Harasymiak has spent the majority of his coaching career at Maine. He was a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach in 2011 and then coached the defensive backs from 2012-13. He was then promoted to defensive coordinator and coached the linebackers from 2014-15. Harasymiak was named interim head coach in November 2015 and then assumed head coaching duties in January 2016.
Prior to his time at Maine, he served as a graduate assistant coach with the wide receivers and quarterbacks at his alma mater, Springfield College. He was then an assistant coach at Maine Maritime Academy in 2008.
Harasymiak earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Springfield College in 2008 and palyed for the Pride from 2004-07. He served as team captain in 2007.
Harasymiak worked with Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi at Maine. Rossi was at Maine from 2007-11 and was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Bears from 2009-11.
HARASYMIAK AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2018-present: Minnesota
2016-18: Maine – Head Coach
2014-15: Maine – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
2012-13: Maine – Defensive Backs
2011: Maine – Defensive Assistant / Defensive Backs
2009-10: Springfield College – Graduate Assistant - Wide Receivers / Quarterbacks
2008: Maine Maritime Academy – Assistant Coach
Playing experience: Springfield College (2004-07)
Birthday: June 23, 1986
Hometown: Waldwick, N.J.
High School: Waldwick
Alma Mater: Springfield College, 2008 (Bachelor of Science in Physical Education)
Wife: Brittany
Daughter: Sophie
In 2020, Harasymiak mentored a young group of safeties that were led by junior Jordan Howden and second-year player Tyler Nubin. Nubin finished second on the team with 41 tackles, while Howeden was third with 37 stops. Nubin added one interception and forced one fumble as well. Justus Harris added 19 tackles on the season - sixth on the team - seeing most of his action at the nickel.
In 2019, Harasymiak mentored safeties Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Howden and Chris Williamson. Winfield led Minnesota with 88 tackles and was named a Unanimous All-American and was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Howden and Williamson finished tied for fourth on the team with 57 tackles and each came up with critical interceptions during the season. Howden made a game-winning interception in the end zone as Minnesota beat No. 5 Penn State last season and Williamson returned a 43-yard interception for a touchdown in a seven-point win to open the season against South Dakota State. The Gophers ended the year with 14 interceptions, which ranked second in the Big Ten.
Harasymiak came to Minnesota from Maine, where he served as head coach since 2016. He guided the Black Bears to an overall record of 20-15 and a 15-9 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association.
In 2018, he led the Black Bears to a 10-4 overall record, a 7-1 conference mark and a CAA championship. Maine advanced to its first Football Championship Subdivision national semifinal appearance in school history under his guidance. Harasymiak was named FCS coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association after Maine's historic season.
Harasymiak has spent the majority of his coaching career at Maine. He was a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach in 2011 and then coached the defensive backs from 2012-13. He was then promoted to defensive coordinator and coached the linebackers from 2014-15. Harasymiak was named interim head coach in November 2015 and then assumed head coaching duties in January 2016.
Prior to his time at Maine, he served as a graduate assistant coach with the wide receivers and quarterbacks at his alma mater, Springfield College. He was then an assistant coach at Maine Maritime Academy in 2008.
Harasymiak earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Springfield College in 2008 and palyed for the Pride from 2004-07. He served as team captain in 2007.
Harasymiak worked with Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi at Maine. Rossi was at Maine from 2007-11 and was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Bears from 2009-11.
HARASYMIAK AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2018-present: Minnesota
2016-18: Maine – Head Coach
2014-15: Maine – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
2012-13: Maine – Defensive Backs
2011: Maine – Defensive Assistant / Defensive Backs
2009-10: Springfield College – Graduate Assistant - Wide Receivers / Quarterbacks
2008: Maine Maritime Academy – Assistant Coach
Playing experience: Springfield College (2004-07)
Birthday: June 23, 1986
Hometown: Waldwick, N.J.
High School: Waldwick
Alma Mater: Springfield College, 2008 (Bachelor of Science in Physical Education)
Wife: Brittany
Daughter: Sophie
Coach Fleck Previews Northwestern State
Monday, September 01
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Win Opener
Monday, September 01
Ski-U-March Season Opener
Friday, August 29
Highlights: Gophers 23, Buffalo 10
Thursday, August 28
