The Wisconsin Badgers coaching staff is going to look a lot different going forward. Luke Fickell is the new head coach, and he has already brought a few of his assistants from Cincinnati with him. Additionally, he hired Phil Longo (offensive coordinator) and Jack Bicknell Jr. (offensive line) from North Carolina. Jim Leonhard has announced that he will not return to Wisconsin following the Badgers appearance in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on December 27. To be certain, there will be many more coaching moves announced as the winter and spring go on. However, there are three current coaches that Fickell may want to keep on staff for a variety of reasons.
Al Johnson: Running Backs Coach
If there is one thing that Wisconsin Badgers football is known for, it’s producing exciting running backs. Current star running back Braelon Allen has already committed to return to the Badgers next year. This alone would be an excellent reason to retain Johnson, who has coached Allen for the last two years. However, a brief look at Johnson’s success also gives plenty of reason to keep him on staff. As the Badgers’ running back coach for the past five years, he also coached Jonathan Taylor, now a star in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.
While the new offense will almost certainly have more of a passing nuance to it, Fickell would be wise to retain a coach who has helped develop such stellar running backs.
Bobby April: Outside Linebackers Coach/Run Game Coordinator
In addition to helping out with the Badgers’ famous run game, Bobby April has helped develop some of the best outside linebackers Wisconsin has ever seen. His first year coaching at Wisconsin was the same year that TJ Watt exploded for 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. Since Watt, April has also helped develop such stout pass rushers as Nick Herbig, Leo Chanel, and Jack Sanborn.
Mike Tressel will be the Badgers’ new defensive coordinator, but if he can convince the 69-year old April to stay on staff, it could help ease the transition for returning players, especially on defense.
Chris Haering: Tight Ends
The tight end coaching position was a new role for Chris Haering in 2022, but he spent seven years prior to this season as the Wisconsin special teams coordinator. It is in this role that Fickell may want to retain Haering. The move to tight ends coach was a questionable one by former head coach Paul Chryst. Under Haering, Wisconsin’s special teams were among the best in the Big Ten and ranked high nationally in kick off defense and touchbacks.
Per their website, the Wisconsin coaching staff does not have anyone with the title special teams coordinator. Fickell should keep Haering on in that role to continue the success the Badgers special teams has had recently.
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3 Comments
I believe Johnson was RB coach for 1 or 2 years. Gary Brown was RB coach for Taylor, I believe.
Yes , he had nothing to do with Jonathan Taylor, and only coached Allen 1 year, get your facts straight if you’re going to write a column
I’ve never seen something written before where nearly everything that was written was factually incorrect.
Al Johnson was hired before the 2022 season to replace Gary Brown
Johnson coached Allen only in the 2022 season
Johnson has no background as a RB coach prior to 2022
Johnson never coached Jonathan Taylor
Bobby April has nothing to do with the offense’s “famous” run game
Bobby April coordinated the defense against the run
Bobby April coaches outside linebackers, and as such never coached either Leo Chenal or Jack Sanborn, who were inside linebackers with another position coach
Bobby April is not 69 years old
Bobby April’s dad is 69 years old
Chris Haering’s special teams units ranked 62nd in 2021, 58th in 2020, 39th in 2019, 112th in 2018, 26th in 2017, 74th in 2016, and 45th in 2015 according to Football Outsiders special teams advanced stats
Chris Haering’s special teams were not among the best in the Big Ten and were not ranked highly nationally
Chris Haering did not have good results as a special teams coach and we would not want to suggest that Coach Fickell try to replicate his results