The Minnesota Golden Gophers are hiring former Wisconsin outside linebackers coach Bobby April III as their new rush ends coach, as first reported by the Pioneer Press’ Andy Greder.
April led the Badgers’ pass-rushing corps under ace defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard from 2018-22. He oversaw some of the best outside linebacker rooms in program history, developing Andrew Van Ginkel, Zack Baun and Nick Herbig among others. He was part of a Wisconsin defensive staff that underwent complete turnover following Luke Fickell’s arrival.
The veteran coach left the Badgers for the defensive coordinator job at Stanford, where he spent the last three seasons. His unit finished No. 132, No. 116 and No. 98, respectively, in total defense during that time. Those marks signal the state of the overall team, which finished 3-9 during the first two of those seasons and improved to a 4-8 mark in 2025.
April is set to take a position on the Gophers’ coaching staff previously held by C.J. Robbins, who was promoted to full-time defensive line coach this offseason. Minnesota finished the 2025 season No. 34 in total defense and No. 51 in scoring defense. Notably for April, the team finished tied for seventh in the nation in total sacks (39.0), averaging three per game. Star defensive end Anthony Smith, who is set to return in 2026, accounted for a Big Ten-leading 12 1/2 of those sacks.
Wisconsin will, of course, play Minnesota to close the 2026 season. The Gophers have won two straight in the series and four of the last five dating to 2021. Their wins to close the previous two seasons have come by a combined margin of 41-14.
Badgers fans will hope Minnesota’s pass-rush group, now led by April, doesn’t match the terrific units he led during his time at Wisconsin.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: PJ Fleck hiring former top Wisconsin defensive coach
Reporting by Ben Kenney, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
