Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator candidate Phil Longo fired

Wisconsin football fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo on Sunday.

The Badgers have scored just 36 total points in their last three games — high-profile losses to Penn State, Iowa and Oregon, respectively. This recent struggle has caused the team’s per game average to drop to 23.9 points, ranking them 98th in the country.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s decision to fire offensive coordinator Phil Longo

The statistics explain why Luke Fickell made this decision. As did a few snippets of early-season press conferences, particularly when Longo said he was “there to please Coach Fickell” in the week before Wisconsin left with more power lineups and an approach race first.

There appears to be a growing ideological divide between the two coaches as the year goes on. Fickell wanted to rely on a heavier personnel and strong running game, while Longo seemed to have a different vision for how the unit could succeed.

Whatever approach was taken, this success did not follow. Yes, the unit has dealt with quarterback injuries in its 23 games under Longo, highlighted by Tanner Mordecai’s broken hand against Iowa in 2023 and Tyler Van Dyke tearing his ACL during a Week 3 loss to Alabama. But it also never worked with these veteran moves into the lineup. Longo’s tenure was defined by a collective wonder at when his anti-aircraft approach would finally reach its full potential.

Again, that was never the case.

Wisconsin is making this move now in part to get a head start on the next hire — one that will define Luke Fickell’s future with the program. Fickell’s tenure can only reach its lofty expectations with a home run. Any failure adjacent to Longo’s hiring could leave the Badgers looking for more than just a new coordinator.

As the Badgers prepare for the game against Nebraska and begin their coaching search, here are some top candidates to become the program’s next offensive coordinator:

September 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, United States; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock watches warmups before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Denbrock was Luke Fickell’s offensive coordinator in Cincinnati from 2017 to 2021. He left to become LSU’s OC (2022-23) before landing at Notre Dame this season.

The biggest variable here is whether Denbrock would leave a place like Notre Dame for Wisconsin. Traditionally, these movements occur in the opposite direction.

Denbrock’s 2024 offense ranks 11th in the nation in scoring offense (38.0 points per game) and 47th in total offense (415.7 yards per game). Most notably, he was part of Fickell’s team that had immense success in Cincinnati – there is evidence that his offense works within Fickell’s overall system.

Wisconsin could go back to a name that Fickell has coaching experience with after doing the opposite with Longo. Denbrock is a strong candidate in this regard.

Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli watches players warm up during a Notre Dame football practice at the Irish Athletic Center, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in South Bend. MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE-USA TODAY NETWORK

Most of the hot candidates will start with Guidugli – Notre Dame’s current QBs coach under Denbrock.

Guidugli coached under Fickell at Cincinnati from 2017-22, the final year as the Bearcats’ OC after Denbrock left for LSU. He first followed Fickell to Wisconsin in January 2023, becoming the tight ends coach and passing game coordinator. That only lasted a month, however, as he later accepted the QBs coach job at Notre Dame.

Fickell did not hire Guidugli as Wisconsin’s OC after accepting the position, likely due to limited experience in the position. He didn’t gain any additional OC experience in his two years at Notre Dame. This hire would make logical sense and represent a return for Fickell to his roots. But that would not inspire confidence.

September 14, 2024; Berkeley, California, United States; San Diego State Aztecs head coach Sean Lewis walks on the field before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Any Wisconsin offensive coordinator vacancy will inevitably be tied to Sean Lewis, who many considered Jim Leonhard’s potential OC hire when he was on an interim basis during the 2022 season.

Lewis had tremendous success at Kent State from 2018-2022, taking the Golden Flashes to the MAC title game in 2021. He then accepted the OC job with Deion Sanders’ first team at Colorado in 2023, though that he lasted less than a year in this role. before Sanders goes elsewhere.

The former Wisconsin tight end is now the head coach at San Diego State, where things aren’t going well. The Aztecs are 3-7 through 10 games and have the nation’s No. 113 offense.

Being a head coach and offensive coordinator are two completely different positions, so his struggles at San Diego State shouldn’t cloud his candidacy for Wisconsin’s OC job. This would be an attractive hire and would represent Fickell trying to return Wisconsin to its roots as a program. Maybe that has a chance of happening – Lewis has already left his head coaching position for a CO position.

Wisconsin offensive line coach AJ Blazek works with Manny Mullens (58) during spring practice outside Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, April 13, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel- USA TODAY NETWORK

Wisconsin probably won’t promote from within to replace Longo. If that was the plan, there was no real need to fire him with two games left in the season.

But Blazek is highlighted here to represent an internal hire. Maybe it’s him and another assistant as co-coordinators. Or, an assistant gets the “OC” label added to his duties.

Any promotion from within would be a huge disappointment, given the severity of the timing and importance of the hire. Blazek has done a tremendous job with the offensive line in 2024. It would be a giant leap to entrust him, or any other assistant, with the entire offense.

September 7, 2024; Laramie, Wyoming, United States; Idaho Vandals head coach Jason Eck reacts during the game against the Wyoming Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Troy Babbitt-Imagn Images

He is my #1 potential candidate for the position. The biggest variable is whether the Wisconsin OC job is attractive enough to move on from the Idaho head coaching job – I’d say it’s not. But Eck checks the boxes of what Wisconsin should be looking for: He played at Wisconsin and understands the program, he has extensive coordination and head coaching experience and, most importantly, he has offensive line roots .

His hiring would represent a return to classic Wisconsin style. Given Eck’s strong resume, it’s reasonable to assume this plan would work.

October 19, 2024; Pullman, Washington, United States; Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer (10) and Washington State Cougars wide receiver Carlos Hernandez (8) celebrate a touchdown against the Hawaii Warriors in the second half at Gesa Field at Gesa Stadium Martin. Mandatory credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

This hire would represent a significant risk – Arbuckle only has two years of experience coordinating at the college level. But it would be just as daring and exciting.

Arbuckle’s Washington State offense ranks 9th in the nation at 38.9 points per game and 9th in total offense at 461.6 yards per game. These numbers all come after the program lost top QB Cam Ward following the 2023 season – a good sign for its ability to adapt to new players and skills.

The up-and-coming coach has no ties to Wisconsin or Luke Fickell. He is one of several well-rounded young coordinators expected to soon reach the highest level of the sport.

April 13, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, United States; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki walks on the field during a warmup practice before the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

This hire has absolutely no chance of happening, but I’m going to include it anyway. This could also symbolize the hiring of an up-and-coming OC from another Power 4 program.

Kotelnicki revolutionized Kansas’ offense from 2021-23 under HC Lance Leipold. He then moved to Penn State in 2024, where he led the Nittany Lions to 34th in offense and 14th in total offense in the country. Many credit his arrival with the team’s rise on that side of the football – particularly the stellar play of QB Drew Allar.

Wisconsin poaching a top OC from another program would be unforeseen. It would also represent a clear “we have to win” attitude from Fickell and those in charge of the program.

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