MADISON – The Wisconsin athletic department’s increased investment in the football program didn’t stop with player acquisitions.
The coaching staff has been bolstered, too.
The changes started in December when Badgers coach Luke Fickell announced a restructuring of how the secondary would be coached.
On Wednesday, March 4, he unveiled more changes with the staff that will allow for coordinators to focus more on their units while also providing additional manpower at key positions.
For the first time during Fickell’s tenure none of his coordinators will also have the responsibility of coaching a position.
That shift started last season when Fickell split the duties of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the hiring of Jeff Grimes as coordinator and elevation of Kenny Guiton to quarterbacks coach.
The shift continued this week with the elevation of Tuf Borland to inside linebackers coach after he served as the assistant to that position in 2025. The move takes that responsibility off defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s plate. Also, Fickell announced the hire of Bob Ligashesky as special team coordinator, a role Matt Mitchell handled for three seasons in addition to coaching outside linebackers.
Here are the other changes.
Bob Ligashesky brings NFL, Power Four experience to UW
Ligashesky spent the past two seasons as the special teams coordinator at Minnesota. He also has been in charge of special teams in the NFL for Houston, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. He won a Super Bowl ring with Pittsburgh in 2008.
Ligashesky has coached in the collegiate ranks since 2016 at Illinois (2016-20), Bowling Green (2021), Syracuse (2022-23) and Minnesota (2024-25).
“Bob has a detailed-oriented approach and special teams experience, including 12 years in the NFL, that will be advantageous for a crucial unit of our team.” Fickell said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Luke Fickell’s recent coaching moves could help Wisconsin football
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
