Ex-Wisconsin Football Coach’s Arrest Leads to Indefinite Suspension

Greg Scruggs, the former defensive line coach of the Wisconsin Badgers football program — who left to take the same job at Michigan — finds himself in hot water with the Wolverines brass after getting arrested.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported that Scruggs was arrested early Saturday morning for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, which has since been confirmed by an Ann Arbor police spokesman.

New Michigan defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, hired earlier this month, was arrested early Saturday for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, an Ann Arbor police spokesman confirmed to ESPN.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 16, 2024

Following his arrest, the program suspended Scruggs indefinitely. During his suspension, Michigan will further investigate details of what happened to make a better, more informed long-term decision on Scruggs.

“Greg made an unfortunate mistake and was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated,” Moore said in a press release. “He made no excuses and has taken accountability for his actions. The football program and athletic department have suspended Greg indefinitely while we review details of the incident.” 

Michigan Suspends Former Wisconsin Football Coach 

It’s a disappointing look for the former Wisconsin football defensive line coach, who is expected to be both a leader and molder of young men. But the Badgers have since moved on and hired E.J. Whitlow to fill his spot.

Whitlow intends to bring the juice to a Badgers defensive line that produced just 59 pressures and 4 sacks throughout the 2023 season.

“Toughness, physicality, grit, and just that relentless violent effort,” Whitlow said of what he’ll bring to the Badgers. That’s one thing we’re going to hang our hat on. We’re going to be tough and nasty up front and hunt the ball.”

Wisconsin football brings back James Thompson Jr. as the unit’s one proven entity. Per Pro Football Focus, Thompson was graded as an above-average player (66.9) after registering 29 tackles, 18 pressures, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, and two pass deflections in 437 snaps. 

Transfer portal addition Elijah Hills from Albany and returning depth pieces such as Curt Neal, Ben Barten, Cade McDonald, Jamel Howard, T.J. Bollers, and Mike Jarvis will also push for time this spring and fall. 

The Wisconsin football program also signed four-star defensive lineman Ernest Willor Jr., who I’ve heard has looked fantastic thus far, Dillan Johnson, and defensive end Hank Weber. 

Coach Whitlow has a strong track record of player development, but he will face an uphill climb to improve this unit in 2024. 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. For more Wisconsin Badgers Athletics and Big Ten content, follow us on Twitter & Facebook. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher @DillonGraff at Dillon.T.Graff@gmail.com. 

Also, be sure to check out our shop, subscribe to our newsletter, and the BadgerNotes After Dark podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. Because of your support, we have become one of the fastest-growing independent media outlets focused on giving a voice to the fans!