Wisconsin defensive coordinators are like the weather in the state, if you don’t like them, just wait five minutes. No, seriously. Wisconsin could be looking at their third defensive coordinator in five years as Justin Wilcox, their talented young defensive coordinator, is in negotiations to become the next head coach at Cal. This is a strong move for both Cal and Wilcox leaving Badgers with an open position and for once, a good chunk of change.

This is a loss for Wisconsin, but not one that fans should be lamenting Wilcox for in any capacity. He’s a West Coast guy with ties to Cal as a former assistant and wants to return home. Golden Bears have some issues with their defense, their university in debt and other things, therefore, this is a tall task for young defensive mind. He deserves a head position after his work with Wisconsin’s defense. I’m sure it surprises no one that he went back to his roots on the West Coast. In fact, that’s a good thing and keeps him away from a Big Ten team.

As for Badgers, they will start again for a defensive coordinator search. My guess is they would like to keep with a 3-4 which would cancel Tim Tibesar, Badgers assistant, as he runs a 4-3. There will be a lot of noise for Jim Leonhard after the work he did with the secondary this season, but he needs some more seasoning in my opinion. The message board and internet comment guy seems to be Nate Woody, a 3-4 mind, from App State. Woody is really good at his job, but he hasn’t left the Carolina’s for coaching or his playing career, what makes you think he leaves now?

It’s refreshing to know Badgers would have paid Wilcox 950,000 dollars this year, and that was second-highest in the Big Ten meaning this isn’t a money thing, it’s an opportunity thing. Badgers’ next coordinator has a great deal of pressure with the standard set by Dave Aranda and Wilcox.

Charlie.