Report: Wisconsin Football Has Found the Next Offensive Line Coach

In a recent report by FootballScoop.com, it has been revealed that A.J. Blazek, the former offensive line coach at Vanderbilt, is set to join the Wisconsin Badgers football coaching staff in the same role.

Blazek will reportedly step into the role previously held by Jack Bicknell Jr., whom the Badgers head coach Luke Fickell ‘re-assigned’ and recently took on a different position within the program.

The former All-Big Ten center played two seasons for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League before beginning his coaching career. Blazek brings over two decades of coaching expertise with him to O-line U.

Wisconsin Football Secures A.J. Blazek as New Offensive Line Coach

The University of Wisconsin Badgers offensive line runs drills during the University of Wisconsin spring football practice at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
Uw Spring Football Practice 4643

A.J. Blazek began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Hawkeyes from 2002 to 2004. His coaching journey includes stints at Fort Hays State (2005-2008), Winona State (2009-2012), Western Illinois (2013-2015), Rutgers (2016-2018), and North Dakota State (2019-2020).

He now becomes the Wisconsin football team’s fourth offensive line coach in as many seasons, making this a crucial hire for the continued development of the new-look Badgers offense.

In his first season coaching Vanderbilt’s offensive line, they were the least penalized team in the SEC at just 63 flags on the year. Perhaps more impressively, these results came while shuffling nine different players on the field for at least 200 snaps each due to injuries.

Notably, in 2022, the Commodores offensive line, under Blazek’s guidance, allowed only 1.25 sacks per game, ranking fourth in the SEC and 26th nationally.

As Blazek takes charge of the Wisconsin football offensive line, the room will be led by returning starters Jack Nelson, Joe Huber, and Riley Mahlman, along with Joe Brunner, Jake Renfro, and J.P. Benzschawel.

Although the Wisconsin Badgers lost three players from their two-deep to the transfer portal, this group will get an influx of talent from the 2024 class, which has five scholarship signees.

Despite the coaching transition, Wisconsin football aims to regain its status as a model program for offensive line play.

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