Former Gophers defensive coach Jay Sawvel will not be returning to the team's coaching staff and is currently weighing three opportunities -- one in the Big Ten, two in the ACC -- a source familiar with his situation said Tuesday.
Sawvel met with new Gophers coach P.J. Fleck on Saturday, and they talked about meeting again Monday, but it appears both have moved in different directions. ESPN reported that Fleck will hire Robb Smith from Arkansas to be Minnesota's new defensive coordinator, though Gophers sources have yet to confirm this.
Joe Christensen, a Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.
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