Joe Rossi

Biography

A three-time nominee for the Broyles Award, Joe Rossi has been Michigan State's defensive coordinator since 2024. Highly respected as one of the top defensive coaches in the country, Rossi has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and has been on the sidelines for seven bowl games. After serving as both the Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach his first two seasons (2024-25) in East Lansing, Rossi will focus solely on his defensive coordinator role in 2026. During his first season at MSU in 2024, Rossi was nominated for the Broyles Award for the third time of his career after the Spartans ranked 32nd in the FBS in rushing defense (125.1 ypg), 34th in total defense (332.0 ypg) and 46th in pass defense (206.9 ypg). Three Spartan defenders (DE Khris Bogle, CB Charles Brantley, LB Jordan Turner) earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition following the season; Turner spent his rookie season in the NFL with the Broncos. In 2025, both of MSU's starting linebackers, Jordan Hall and Wayne Matthews III, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition as the duo ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the team in tackles, respectively. Before arriving to Michigan State, Rossi spent six seasons (2018-23) at Minnesota, where he helped build the Gophers into one of the best defenses in the Big Ten as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Minnesota’s defense ranked among the top 10 in the FBS in total defense three times (No. 3 in 2021, No. 8 in 2022