Barry Alvarez 'really excited' Wisconsin hired Jeff Grimes as offensive coordinator
Former Wisconsin Badgers head football coach Barry Alvarez shared his thoughts on Luke Fickell hiring Jeff Grimes as the offensive coordinator.
The Wisconsin Badgers made headlines with their decision to hire Jeff Grimes as the next offensive coordinator, replacing Phil Longo after the football program's failed Air Raid experiment.
While the move initially sparked some debate among the fanbase and didn't fit the criteria of the young up-and-coming coordinator some were hoping for, it has since gained traction as a step toward re-establishing the Badgers' once proud physical identity on offense.
Grimes, known for his run-game expertise and focus on offensive line play, brings a resume that aligns closely with the traditional strengths of Wisconsin football. Legendary former head coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez recently voiced his seal of approval of the hire during an ESPN Madison radio appearance due to Grimes' offensive philosophy.
“He’s got a run-game background, and he has an O-line background,” Alvarez said. “Those historically have been the strength of our program. We’ve won here, and we’ve put ourselves on the map in college football because of our run game led by our offensive line.
"So, when I heard that, I was really excited. That doesn’t mean he has to run every snap, but a lot of the snaps he has to run. I’m really excited about him. I don’t know him personally. I read the résumé, I like the numbers he has put up where he’s been.”
Alvarez’s endorsement adds weight to the decision to bring Grimes on board, especially as the Badgers look to rebound from a disappointing 5-7 season under head coach Luke Fickell.
Grimes most recently led the Kansas Jayhawks offense, where the team averaged 29.7 points per game this past season. According to Game on Paper, they finished 6th nationally in EPA per rush, 21st in EPA per dropback, and 8th in overall EPA per play.
A native of Garland, Texas, Grimes has a track record of success at Baylor, BYU, LSU, and several other programs throughout his 30-year career that highlight his ability to build effective and balanced offenses.
One of Grimes’ first tasks when spring practice rolls around will be determining Wisconsin’s starting quarterback for 2025. With both Tyler Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke entering the transfer portal, the Badgers’ quarterback room is currently down to Mabrey Mettauer, Carter Smith, and Landyn Locke, who has a torn ACL.
The Badgers coaching staff is expected to target two quarterbacks in the transfer portal to round out the depth chart and lead Grimes' offense.
As the offseason unfolds, Grimes’ ability to install his offensive system and bring Wisconsin back to its roots will be monitored closely, with coach Fickell entering a pivotal Year 3 as the program's head football coach.
With Alvarez’s vote of confidence and a renewed focus on the run game, the stage is set for the Badgers offense to take a step forward in 2025.
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