When the dust settles in Dinkytown, you never know what you’ll find. One day, you’re a high school kid dreaming of the big leagues, and the next, you’re holding a clipboard on the sidelines, running the show. That’s one wild ride for Mokena native, from laying the smack-down on Big Ten offenses to now calling the shots as a linebackers coach. This guy’s been grinding nonstop. But hold up—how does a 25-year-old go from tackling dudes to coaching them? Let me tell you, this ain’t your typical football glow-up story.

Turns out, Minnesota’s linebacker room has a fresh captain steering the ship. After Corey Hetherman dipped to the sunny & warm side of Miami, the Gophers didn’t hit the panic button—they stayed in-house. Enter Mariano Sori-Marin, the man who wore the maroon and gold like a second skin for 4 seasons and racked up a ridiculous 274 tackles in his 58-game college career from 2018 to 2022.

Mariano Sori-Marin has been a defensive analyst, a nickelbacks coach, and now, in 2025, he’s got the linebackers under his wing. P. J. Fleck’s gotta be grinning ear to ear with this move. Why? Because Mariano doesn’t just know the playbook—he is the playbook. It’s not just about his résumé, though. The Gophers’ coaching staff is starting to feel like a family reunion. Sori-Marin joins defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III as another former Gopher making waves.

These guys aren’t just coaching—they’re living, breathing examples of the culture Fleck built in Minnesota. And let’s not forget Danny Collins, the new defensive coordinator, who’s been rowing this boat for 6 years. Together, they’re like the Avengers of Gopher football, but instead of saving the universe, they’re locking down Big Ten offenses.

Mariano Sori-Marin’s Rollercoaster Career

But don’t let the whistles and clipboards fool you. This man’s journey was no walk in the park. Back in high school, he was a three-star prospect with one FBS offer: Minnesota. No SEC glitz, no Big Ten hype—just a skinny kid out of Illinois trying to make his mark. Fast forward to his freshman year, and he’s grinding on special teams. By 2020? Boom. Mariano Sori-Marin’s was leading the team in tackles, and in 2021, he set a career-high with 85 tackles.

His last season in 2022 was the cherry on top. Starting all 13 games, he recorded 88 tackles and six for a loss. He even clocked a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash—pretty quick for a linebacker. But despite the stats, he went undrafted in 2023. The San Francisco 49ers picked him up as a free agent, but his NFL dreams were low-key cut short all because of an injury. Most people would’ve called it quits right there. Not Mariano. He came back to Minnesota as an intern, climbed the ranks to assistant linebackers coach, and now here he is, running the show.

It’s wild to think how quickly Sori-Marin’s star is rising. At just 25, he’s already landed a prominent coaching role at a Big Ten school. That’s like being cast as the lead in a blockbuster straight out of college. And let’s be real—this move isn’t just about filling a vacancy. It’s about building a legacy. Sori-Marin knows what it takes to succeed in Dinkytown, and his players are about to find out too. With Minnesota coming off an 8-5 season and the Big Ten expanding, there’s no better time for the Gophers to step up their game. Sori-Marin’s promotion isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a power move. And if his playing days are any indication, he’s not just here to keep the seat warm—he’s here to win.

So, what’s next for the Gophers and their boy wonder? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—Mariano’s coaching ladder just getting started.