Corey Hetherman is in his second season as the Rutgers football linebackers coach in 2023. Hetherman previously served as defensive coordinator/associate head coach/defensive line at James Madison and earned AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021. A native of Oxford, Massachusetts, he also worked with defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak at Maine.
• Breaking in a linebacker unit with a combined seven career starts entering the season, the defense improved by allowing 46.7 less yards per game compared to 2021, 28.1 less passing yards and 18.6 less rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights posted their best mark in total defense (349.8) in 10 years.
• Deion Jennings earned honorable mention All-Big Ten and collected the Homer Hazel Award as the team’s most valuable player after posting 91 tackles with 8.5 for loss and six pass breakups. The 8.3 tackles per game ranked seventh in the Big Ten.
• Hetherman worked three seasons at James Madison as defensive coordinator (2019-21). JMU’s defense ranked as one of the nation’s best each season, placing in the top 10 in both total defense and scoring defense all three years.
• Picked up the title of associate head coach prior to the 2021 season and earned AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year. The Dukes posted the No. 2-ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 275.2 yards per game, also ranking first nationally in turnovers forced (31), fifth in third-down defense (27.2 percent), seventh in scoring defense (15.4) and eighth in rushing defense (89.0). A total of four defensive players were recognized as 2021 All-Americans, with six being named All-CAA. James Madison ended with a 12-2 record and advanced to the FCS semifinals.
• A 2020 selection to the AFCA's 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute, JMU’s defense ranked third in the FCS in rush defense (72.4) and interceptions (12) in the spring of 2021, while ranking fifth in total defense (243.4), sixth in pass efficiency defense (100.74) and eighth in scoring defense (16.5). The team finished 7-1.
• In his first season with the Dukes, JMU led the FCS in total defense (270.2), while ranking third in both scoring defense (15.7) and against the run (74.8). The defense also ranked third nationally in third-down defense (30 percent), fifth in tackles-for-loss (8.5), sixth in pass efficiency defense (111.83), seventh in interceptions (17), 11th in takeaways (26) and 12th in sacks (2.94). Four defenders earned All-America accolades in 2019, with eight on the All-CAA team, including five on the first team. The Dukes went 14-2 and advanced to the FCS title game.
• Hetherman came to JMU after spending the previous four seasons at CAA foe Maine (2015-18), where he led the defensive line and served as the defensive coordinator for three of his four seasons in Orono.
• Quickly turned Maine into a defensive power in the FCS, which included leading the league in six categories in 2018, highlighted by the FCS-leading rushing defense (79.2). Maine ranked second nationally in sacks (47). The Black Bears also led the CAA in yards per carry allowed (2.4), interceptions (18), fumble recoveries (13) and fumbles for a touchdown (3), while ranking second in third-down defense (28.4 percent) and fourth in total defense (313.1).
• Hetherman guided six Maine defenders to All-CAA status, with two claiming All-America laurels.
• In 2017, Maine led the CAA on third down, allowing the opposition to a 27 percent success rate. During his first year leading Maine’s defense, he helped mentor all-conference lineman Pat Ricard to the NFL after he ranked second in the conference in tackles-for-loss and fifth in sacks. Maine ranked third in the league in pass defense at 217.1 yards per game allowed.
• Hetherman’s 2015 defensive line gave way to Maine ranking second in the CAA in rushing defense, surrendering just 110.8 yards per game. They also ranked second in the CAA in sacks with 32. Two linemen earned First Team All-CAA honors. The duo combined for 31.0 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks, as Trevor Bates would go on to be a seventh-round draft pick to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2016 NFL Draft.
• Hetherman served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Pace University (2014) for one season, where he developed the team’s defensive game plan and formatted the PAT and field goal block design.
• Coached four seasons at Old Dominion (2010-13). He was elevated to defensive run-game coordinator and linebackers coach, mentoring two-time All-CAA linebacker Craig Wilkins. He also coached outside linebackers for the Monarchs prior to his promotion.
• Hetherman also had stops at Northeastern (2009) and Springfield College (2007-08), and spent time coaching overseas for the Wuerzburg Panthers (Germany) and Carinthian Black Lions (Austria). He started in college football coaching at his alma mater, Fitchburg State.
• A three-year starting quarterback at Fitchburg State, Hetherman was a team captain in 2005. He went 21-11 as a starter, leading the team to a pair of MASCAC titles, two NEFC championship games and a berth in two ECAC bowl games.
• Hetherman graduated from Fitchburg State in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education.
Hometown: Oxford, Mass.
Alma Mater: Fitchburg State, 2006
Wife: Julie
2022-present: Rutgers (linebackers)
2021: James Madison (defensive coordinator/associate head coach/defensive line)
2019-21: James Madison (defensive coordinator/defensive ends)
2016-18: Maine (defensive coordinator)
2015: Maine (defensive line)
2014: Pace (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2012-13: Old Dominion (defensive run game coordinator/linebackers)
2010-11: Old Dominion (outside linebackers)
2010: Western New England College (offensive/recruiting coordinator)
2009-10: Northeastern (outside linebackers)
2007-09: Springfield College (graduate assistant)
2007: Wuerzburg Panthers (offensive coordinator)
2006-07: King's College (intern)
2006: Carinthian Black Lions (offensive coordinator)
2006: Fitchburg State (quarterbacks)
