BadgerBlitz.com reexamines its 3-2-1 feature, where we tell you three things we learned, ask two questions and make one bold prediction roughly two weeks after the early Signing Period.
THREE THINGS WE LEARNED SINCE SIGNING DAY
1. Luke Fickell's staff is almost complete
Though just two hires have been made official by the university, Fickell's first on-field coaching staff at Wisconsin is almost complete.
Shortly after news broke on Nov. 28, it was reported that defensive staff members Mike Tressel and Colin Hitschler would follow Fickell over from Cincinnati. Tressel was officially announced on Tuesday as UW's defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach, while Hitschler is expected to work with the safeties and coordinate UW's special teams. Both started immediately for the Badgers on the recruiting front.
On the offensive side of the ball, Phil Longo is coming over from North Carolina as coordinator and quarterbacks coach, a move that was also made official on Tuesday. Longo has already helped UW land Tanner Mordecai and Nick Evers through the transfer portal, in addition to 2024 signal caller Mabrey Mettauer.
“I’m extremely excited for our players and our program to add Phil and Mike,” Fickell said in a release. “I’ve built a relationship with Phil over the past six years and am happy to finally be able to work side-by-side with him. He’s a very innovative and well-rounded football coach. He’s a tremendous person and family man and truly cares about his players.
“I’ve known Mike for 20 years and he is a great coach and person. He has incredible experience, including a terrific background in the Big Ten. Over the last two years coaching together I was impressed with his ability to adapt both as a coach on the field and to the culture of a program. We are very fortunate to have both Phil and Mike on staff.”
Jack Bicknell Jr. (offensive line) followed Longo from the Tar Heels staff, while Mike Brown (wide receivers) and Gino Guidugli (tight ends) are two more Fickell carryovers from Cincinnati.
After news broke Wednesday that Paul Haynes is set to come over to Wisconsin from Minnesota, eight assistant coaches are reportedly in place, leaving another two spots left to fill in the coming days. BadgerBlitz.com has been told Greg Scruggs, who worked with Fickell at Cincinnati, is the most likely candidate to take over on the defensive line.
