Minnesota defensive coordinator Robb Smith has been fired, with the Gophers allowing an average of more than 43 points per game in Big Ten play.

Coach P.J. Fleck made defensive line coach Joe Rossi the interim defensive coordinator.

Fleck hired Smith last year upon taking over the program at Minnesota, having spent two seasons with Smith as assistants together at Rutgers. The 43-year-old Smith was the defensive coordinator at Arkansas for four seasons before joining the Gophers.