Wisconsin announces Tressel, Longo joining staff

MADISON, Wis. — After spending the previous two seasons as defensive coordinator on Luke Fickell’s Cincinnati employees, Mike Tressel is following him to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin on Tuesday introduced the hiring of Tressel as defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach and Phil Longo as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Longo, who had been North Carolina’s offensive coordinator the previous 4 seasons, had stated final month he was becoming a member of Wisconsin’s employees in the identical position.

“I am extraordinarily excited for our gamers and our program so as to add Phil and Mike,” Fickell stated Tuesday in an announcement launched by the college. “I’ve constructed a relationship with Phil over the previous six years and am blissful to lastly be capable of work side-by-side with him. He is a really progressive and well-rounded soccer coach. He is an amazing particular person and household man and really cares about his gamers.

“I’ve recognized Mike for 20 years and he is a superb coach and particular person. He has unimaginable expertise, together with a terrific background within the Massive Ten. Over the past two years teaching collectively I used to be impressed along with his skill to adapt each as a coach on the sector and to the tradition of a program. We’re very lucky to have each Phil and Mike on employees.”

In Tressel’s first yr as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator, the Bearcats reached the Faculty Soccer Playoff and ranked fifth nationally in scoring protection. Cincinnati allowed 4.5 yards per play, the fourth-lowest common of any Soccer Bowl Subdivision crew.

This season, Cincinnati ranks twentieth in scoring protection. The Bearcats gave up 4.61 yards per play, the sixth-lowest common of any FBS crew.

Tressel labored on Michigan State’s employees from 2007 to 2020 and was defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019.

“I am past excited to affix the Wisconsin soccer household and stay up for carrying on the custom of elite defenses right here in Madison,” Tressel stated in an announcement. “It is a program I’ve all the time admired and it is nice to be again within the Massive Ten. I am most excited to have the ability to work with the great younger males right here. They’ve already demonstrated to me nice work ethic, intelligence and skill.”

Wisconsin named Fickell coach Nov. 27, the day after the Badgers closed a 6-6 common season with a 23-16 loss to Minnesota. Fickell was on the Wisconsin sideline with interim head coach Jim Leonhard, who will not be a part of the Badgers’ 2023 employees, for a 24-17 Assured Fee Bowl victory over Oklahoma State on Dec. 27.