Wisconsin is expected to hire E.J. Whitlow as its next defensive line coach, a program source confirmed to The Athletic. ESPN first reported the news.
Whitlow spent the past two seasons as the defensive ends coach at Air Force and helped the Falcons during the 2022 season rank No. 3 in scoring defense. Over those two years, Air Force ranked 20th in defensive pressure rate, per TruMedia. He previously coached the defensive line for four seasons at Miami (OH).
Whitlow replaces Greg Scruggs, who spent one season at Wisconsin before leaving to coach Michigan’s defensive line. He becomes the fourth new assistant coach hired by Luke Fickell this offseason, joining offensive line coach AJ Blazek, wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton and safeties coach/co-defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
Whitlow’s first coaching job was at Notre Dame College in Ohio, where he spent four seasons and transitioned from a graduate assistant in 2010 and 2011 to a full-time defensive line coach in 2012. He then moved on to coach the defensive line at Grand Valley State from 2014-17 under Matt Mitchell, who is now Wisconsin’s outside linebackers coach.
Whitlow inherits a Wisconsin defensive line searching for more playmakers next season. James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal both return after starting in the team’s bowl game. Thompson led Wisconsin’s defensive linemen with 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, but no other player up front recorded more than one sack.
Wisconsin added Albany transfer Elijah Hills this offseason. He finished last season with 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three blocked three kicks. Ben Barten and Cade McDonald are other returners who have played meaningful snaps at the position, which will include four true freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
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(Photo of James Thompson Jr.: Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA Today Network)
Source link : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5293985/2024/02/22/wisconsin-football-ej-whitlow-coach/
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Publish date : 2024-02-23 03:00:00
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