Tag: Phil Longo

Report: Former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo lands FBS head coaching job

Wisconsin’s former offensive coordinator has a new job. An FBS head coaching job:

Sam Houston State is hiring former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo as its next coach, according to Texas football’s Mike Craven.

Longo served as the Bearkats’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2014-16. His success there helped him land the coordinator position at Ole Miss (2017-18), which led him to Luke Fickell’s staff at Wisconsin.

The Badgers fired the veteran offensive coordinator in mid-November after the team’s 16-13 home loss to No. 1 Oregon. His unit ranked 91st in the nation in total offense (363.1 yards per game) and 98th in scoring offense (23.9 points) through the first 12 weeks of the season. Those marks followed disappointing 2023 production — No. 71 in total offense (381.2 yards) and No. 93 in scoring offense (23.5 points).

Longo’s air raid system was a poor fit with the program. While injuries to the team’s two starting quarterbacks (Tanner Mordecai and Tyler Van Dyke) hurt the unit’s chances, it never reached the expectations accompanying his hire. Its struggles were only magnified by his scheme’s departure from Wisconsin’s classic approach. Several convergent factors led to the in-season change.

Longo returns to a Sam Houston State program that moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision level in 2023, joining Conference USA. The Bearkats went 3-9 in 2023 before a breakout 9-3 campaign in 2024. Coach K.C. Keeler took the job at Temple after the 2024 regular season, creating the vacancy.

Longo reportedly will fill that void. It will be his first top coaching stint since he went 7-14 in two years at La Salle (2004-05).

Wisconsin hired Kansas’ Jeff Grimes to replace Longo at offensive coordinator. The veteran coordinator is returning the Badgers to an older pro-style approach, one that better fits the program’s traditional model of success.

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Luke Fickell on his upcoming offensive coordinator hire: ‘We want to be more of a pro style’

Luke Fickell on his upcoming offensive coordinator hire: ‘We want to be more of a pro style’

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell updated the Badgers’ search for their vacant offensive coordinator position when meeting with the media on Wednesday.

The position opened when the program fired Phil Longo after its 16-13 Week 12 loss to No. 1 Oregon. It has yet to be filled, now almost one full week after the team’s season-ending loss to Minnesota.

Related: Everything Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said about Badgers’ finalized class of 2025, his vision for the offense

“It’s an ongoing process. I’d like to tell you that ‘in three days we’ll be able to do this thing,'” Fickell said on Wednesday. “But we have to do our due diligence. We can’t hastefully just jump into this. Look, I wanted it done yesterday. I wanted it done a week ago. I wanted to know who it was.”

Wisconsin has seen significant roster movement in the time since Longo’s departure. It landed four-star quarterback Carter Smith to headline its class of 2025, but also saw the high-profile departure of ascending wide receiver Trech Kekahuna.

The current lack of a coordinator did not hurt the program’s class of 2025 recruiting efforts. And Kekahuna may have departed regardless, as he was a tailored fit in Longo’s air raid attack.

But as the winter transfer season continues, Wisconsin will obviously need somebody in place. The hire will likely precede quarterback movement and other scheme-based changes — two critical parts of the team’s upcoming offseason.

Fickell outlined his vision for that hire, hinting at a move away from Longo’s air raid scheme.

“There’s a vision that we have to continue to grow and evolve what we’re doing offensively,” Fickell continued. “The stereotype of saying before we were an air raid, which is whatever that is. It’s just a label. I’ll tell you we want to be more of a pro style. And what does that mean. That doesn’t mean anything more than we want to be multiple. We want to be able to play in 11 personnel, we want to be able to play in 12 personnel. We have 13 personnel. If that’s possible, 21 personnel. We want to be in the shotgun and be able to do the things that we’ve done out of the gun in the passing game, but we also want to see ourselves under center for 6, 8, 10 snaps a game.”

The comments do not narrow down any candidates specifically. But they do signal a philosophy shift from when Fickell took the job two years ago.

“We want to be able to build upon what it is that we’ve done,” Fickell specified. “What we’ve done in the last two years and our ability to spread it out and play the passing game, be out of the gun, is obviously where we build from. But our ability to play under center and get some play-action…That’s the idea, that’s the vision for us going forward.”

His hire will be tasked with turning around a unit that averaged just 22.6 points per game in 2024, down from 23.5 points per game in 2023. The unit will also likely have new faces all over the field. Where the word ‘unknown’ defines the current state of the unit, the word ‘change’ appears to define where it is heading in 2025.

Fickell also closed with a notable addition — he may look to hire a quarterbacks coach in addition to an offensive coordinator.

Those two hires in tandem will define Wisconsin’s offseason, and could define the Fickell era with the program. The Badgers face a gauntlet schedule in 2025. The success of the new coordinator and offensive system will be necessary for Fickell to return the team to bowl eligibility and reestablish its baseline of success.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin loses projected top wide receiver to the transfer portal

BREAKING: Wisconsin loses top wide receiver to the transfer portal

Wisconsin redshirt freshman Trech Kekahuna is entering the transfer portal, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Kekahuna is the ninth Badger to enter the portal since the team’s season concluded last Friday. He is the second member of the two-deep to depart, following starting defensive lineman Curt Neal.

Related: Key takeaways from Wisconsin’s early wave of transfer portal losses

The talented slot receiver first joined the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023. He first committed to the program in June 2022, back when Paul Chryst was still at the helm. He decommitted when Chryst was fired in-season but re-committed after Luke Fickell was hired in late November.

Kekahuna showed significant promise in Phil Longo’s air raid offense. His breakout performance was a four-catch, 64-yard outing as a true freshman in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl. He then backed that outing up with a strong 2024 season as the team’s backup slot receiver, finishing with 25 catches, 339 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Wisconsin’s in-season firing of Phil Longo likely played a role in Kekahuna’s decision. He is a tailor-made fit for Longo’s air raid attack, though may not be a perfect fit with the program’s yet-to-be-determined new offensive system.

Either way, Kekahuna’s departure is a major loss for the Badgers. He was among the most promising offensive playmakers on the team. With Will Pauling out of eligibility, Kekahuna figured to slide into the starting slot receiver role in 2025.

Add wide receiver to Wisconsin’s growing list of major needs this offseason. Until the team lands commitments, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker to stay up-to-date on the full list of departures.

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FAU fires potential Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator candidate

FAU fires potential Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator candidate

Florida Atlantic fired coach Tom Herman on Monday.

Herman, who led the Owls to a 6-16 mark since he took over in 2023, was let go after losing in gut-wrenching fashion to Temple on Nov. 16. The loss dropped FAU to 2-8 on the season and 0-6 in AAC play.

The news, however, is notable for those invested in Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator situation. After firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo on Saturday, the Badgers are in the market for a new play-caller.

That’s where Herman can step in. The former Texas Longhorns coach served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State from 2012-14, the same years Fickell was the co-defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes.

It’s safe to say Herman’s recent resume with Florida Atlantic sells himself short. At Ohio State, he earned the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. He made the jump from Ohio State’s OC to the Texas top job in just three years. While his tenure since that point has trended negatively, he remains one of the well-thought-of offensive minds in the sport.

If hired by UW, Herman’s relationship with Fickell could prove the catalyst. As of Nov. 18, Wisconsin is reeling and in desperate need of rejuvenation. Herman could bring that type of spark if awarded the opportunity.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell cryptic about Badgers play-calling plan after Phil Longo firing

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell cryptic about Badgers play-calling plan after Phil Longo firing

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell offered an update on Wisconsin’s play-calling situation on Monday. Or, he purposely avoided giving one.

Fewer than 24 hours after Wisconsin fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo, Fickell fielded several questions from the media in his weekly press conference on Monday.

When asked about his play-calling plans going forward, Fickell offered somewhat of a cryptic response.

“Why does it matter?” Fickell said. “The offense will be run, and those guys will do a lot of things collaboratively. I don’t think it’s really important as to who is calling it. I guess it gives you the ability to point a finger at somebody. It’s not one of those things I think is that important. Sometimes I think it’s overrated in some ways, but it’ll be a collaborative group and those guys will have to work a lot together.”

Taken literally, Fickell’s answer would be troubling. The more reasonable explanation is that he wanted to avoid questions on the topic — something that wasn’t going to be able to do after firing Longo just one day earlier.

If Wisconsin’s current three-game losing streak, culminating in the crushing 16-13 loss to No. 1 Oregon on Saturday, impacted Fickell’s long-term vision for the program enough to make a significant coaching move, there was likely a plan in place when the move was made.

If Fickell’s explained blueprint is the way Wisconsin goes, wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton, running backs coach Devon Spalding and tight ends coach Nate Letton are in position to work together to kick-start the offense. In reality, one of them will likely emerge as the play-caller.

Fickell also added that Guiton will inherit quarterback coaching responsibilities alongside his role with the wide receivers.

UW will continue to gear up for its Nov. 23 road game against Nebraska.

BREAKING: Wisconsin fires offensive coordinator Phil Longo

BREAKING: Wisconsin fires offensive coordinator Phil Longo

Wisconsin football fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo on Sunday, according to a release from the program.

The Badgers make the move after struggling offensively in a 16-13 Week 12 loss to No. 1 Oregon. The offense held the team back from a program-defining victory, continuing a worrying trend that dates to the start of Longo’s tenure with the program.

Related: Major takeaways from Wisconsin’s close call against No. 1 Oregon

“This morning, I informed Phil Longo that he will no longer serve as our offensive coordinator,” Fickell said in the program’s release. “After continuing to evaluate the program, I decided we are not where we need to be and believe this decision is in the best interest of the team. I appreciate Phil’s commitment to helping us build our program over the past two seasons and wish him well moving forward. This team still has a lot in front of us, and I am committed to doing everything we can to close out this season with success.”

Longo’s unit ranked 91st in the nation in total offense (363.1 yards per game) and 98th in the nation in scoring offense (23.9 points per game) through 12 weeks in 2024.

There is context. The unit dealt with a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. But it still failed to make any significant progress after showing spurts of success during a midseason winning streak.

Wisconsin makes the move 23 games into the Luke Fickell era.

His move to hire Longo was a significant departure from the program’s history and identity. This decision marks a significant moment for Fickell as he works to build his program. It goes without saying his next offensive hire will need to be the right one.

The Badgers close with games against Nebraska and Minnesota. They need one win to gain bowl eligibility for a 23rd consecutive season.

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Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo updates Badgers quarterback situation

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo updates Badgers quarterback situation

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo provided an update on the Badgers’ quarterback situation on Monday.

When asked whether the Badgers could turn to true freshman quarterback Mabrey Mettauer, Longo quickly put the idea to rest.

“Mabrey is progressing,” Longo told reporters. “I think we’re not at a point right now where we’re going to do anything.”

The Badgers offensive coordinator made it clear Wisconsin will continue to put its faith in redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke.

In eight games this season, Locke has completed 117 pass attempts for 1,418 yards and eight touchdowns. The Rockwell, Texas, native has also thrown eight interceptions, including two in Wisconsin’s 42-10 loss in its most recent game against Iowa on Nov. 2.

Simply put: both Wisconsin’s staff and fans know what to expect from Locke when he’s under center. If UW is rolling, he manages a balanced offensive attack. If the Badgers are struggling, the game can get ugly quickly.

That’s why some are calling for Longo to play Mettauer in the Badgers’ final stretch of the season. During his tenure at The Woodlands High School, the 6-foot-4 prospect earned Texas District 13-6A Overall MVP as a sophomore and Texas District 13-6A Co-Offensive MVP as a junior. He holds the program record for career passing yardage and single-season passing yardage.

Still, Wisconsin’s final three games are against No. 1 Oregon (home), Nebraska (away) and Minnesota (home). That’s not exactly ideal for someone with one pass attempt in his collegiate tenure at Wisconsin.

UW and Locke will host the Ducks on Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Wisconsin Badgers offense reaches yardage significant milestone for first time since 2010

Wisconsin offense reaches yardage significant milestone for first time since 2010

The Wisconsin Badgers have appeared nearly unbeatable in their past two games.

In their dominant 42-7 win over Rutgers on Saturday, UW topped 500 for the second consecutive Big Ten game for the first time since 2010. To put that into context, Bret Bielema served as head coach, Paul Chryst manned the sidelines as offensive coordinator and James White, Montee Ball and J.J. Watt wreaked havoc on the offensive and defensive ends of the gridiron.

UW notched 549 total yards against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday afternoon, a week after its 589-yard performance in the 52-6 win over the Purdue Boilermakers.

For the second straight game, UW’s running back unit dominated from start to finish. The group, headlined by workhorse running back Tawee Walker, accounted for 309 yards of offense against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday.

Against Purdue, the group posted 236 total rush yards against a struggling defensive unit. Nonetheless, the yardage speaks to the emerging talent on Wisconsin’s offensive side of the ball.

Following the recent departure of Badger veteran Chez Mellusi, Walker has become a go-to option for offensive coordinator Phil Longo in his air-raid scheme. The senior transfer from Oklahoma combined to rush for 292 yards and six touchdowns against Purdue and Rutgers on Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, respectively.

Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke has also blended splash plays with efficiency against the two Big Ten foes. He threw for 359 yards against Purdue and 240 vs. Rutgers and completed nearly 68% of his throws in the process.

Following some initial criticism during losses to No. 7 Alabama and USC, Wisconsin’s offense has appeared to discover a rhythm. The crew will return to the field on Oct. 19 against the Northwestern Wildcats.

LISTEN: Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell’s postgame remarks following big win at Rutgers

LISTEN: Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell’s postgame remarks following big win at Rutgers

For the second consecutive week, Wisconsin has dominated its opposition from start to finish.

On Saturday, the Badgers decimated Rutgers 42-7, and head coach Luke Fickell caught up with the Big Ten Network’s Brooke Fletcher after the game. Here’s his assessment of the offense:

“You’re seeing more balance,” Fickell said. “[We’re] relying upon those big guys up front and establishing some things running the football as well as being able to take some shots down the field. This is the complimentary football we’re talking about…we came out in the second half and did what we needed to do.”

Fickell also offered some thoughts about offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s play calling and scheme against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday.

“He’s doing a great job,” Fickell said. “The sign of a good coach, the sign of a good team is guys that continue to get better. This is a team that continues to get better because of the leadership in that locker room, they’re want-to, and then everybody around us, they’re want to as well.”

https://twitter.com/B1Gfootball/status/1845189548248092958

For the second straight game, Wisconsin allowed seven or fewer points on defense. They also did so in their 52-6 thumping against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium last weekend.

“It’s eliminating the big plays,” Fickell said. “We gave up a couple today, but we were strong in the red zone. We want some of those things back to be a bit greedy, but another group that is really grown and seeing their best ball as we continue to move forward.”

Wisconsin can continue to flex its offensive and defensive muscle against the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Illinois, on Oct. 19.

Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez questions Badgers short-yardage play-calling

Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez has joined the conversation surrounding the Badgers’ struggles with 4th-and-short runs out of the shotgun:

Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez has joined the conversation surrounding the Badgers’ struggles with 4th-and-short runs out of the shotgun.

The latest point of contention came during Wisconsin’s 38-21 loss to No. 11 USC.

Related: ESPN updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 games after Week 5 loss to USC

The Badgers led 21-10 entering halftime after playing arguably their most complete half of the season. However, that momentum was quickly lost exiting the halftime break after a muffed punt turned into seven easy points for USC.

But Wisconsin quickly responded with a long drive into USC territory. It still led 21-17 and had the chance to regain control and momentum. While driving, Wisconsin 4th-and-1 from the USC 33 yard-line. The Badgers elected to go for it instead of attempting a 50-yard field goal.

The play: a shotgun run to RB Tawee Walker that went nowhere. USC safety Kamari Ramsey crashed off the edge to stop the play, just as Alabama safety Malachi Moore did two weeks prior.

Here is the play in question, if anybody needs another reminder:

The failed conversion is magnified because it is the second time in as many games that a failed 4th-and-1 can signal the exact moment a game went downhill for Wisconsin.

Here is the game script that followed the failed run: USC touchdown (24-21), Wisconsin punt, USC touchdown (31-21), Wisconsin punt, USC punt, USC pick-six (38-21), Wisconsin turnover on downs, end of game.

It is also magnified because Wisconsin continues to elect to run those short-yardage plays out of the shotgun. Whether that matters for the chance to convert the play, it has a much different aesthetic from what the Badgers used to look like in those situations. That aesthetic, paired with the poor results, has led many former players and program legends to express their displeasure with the approach.

This is where Alvarez comes in. Those at home watching Wisconsin vs. No. 11 USC on CBS may have noticed color analyst Gary Danielson reference Alvarez after the failed 4th-and-1, saying “there might be a guy in Naples that questions this call. An old coach.” “A hall of fame coach,” play-by-play man Brad Nessler continued.

Well, they were right. A short time later, Nessler said on the broadcast that he received a ‘call and a text from Barry Alvarez’ about the play.

Alvarez clarified his contact with Nessler earlier this week on ESPN Madison.

“I did not call, I texted,” Alvarez said. “[The text said] ‘You are correct my friend.'”

‘You are correct’ is in reference to Danielson’s guess that Alvarez may question the philosophy of running out of the shotgun on 4th-and-1.

Alvarez continued to explain his philosophy on short-yardage runs.

“When you watch any NFL game, these are guys that study 12 months a year,” Alvarez explained. “When it’s fourth-and-a-half-a-yard, what do they do? All of the sudden they’re lined up, then they run up under center, take the snap, and run a sneak or hand the ball off. Why do they do that? Because it makes sense. If you got a half a yard, you start closer.”

The comments from the legendary coach only add to the current discussion surrounding the Wisconsin football program. Early losses and on-field struggles have led many notable program alumni to join the conversation about the current regime.

Until Tuesday, the most notable was Braelon Allen — who sent a cryptic post on X referencing his experience with the Badgers in 2023.

Now, that is Barry Alvarez. This specific discussion is not much more than different coaches’ philosophies on short-yardage scenarios. But it is the first significant example of him asking a public question about the current regime.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.