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On Nov. 17, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell announced that offensive coordinator Phil Longo had been relieved of his duties, effective immediately. Fickell did not name an interim replacement for the remainder of the season. Longo’s dismissal followed a 16-13 loss to No. 1 Oregon, where the Badgers managed just 226 yards of total offense. A stronger offensive performance might have secured an upset victory.
Offensive Woes for Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers' offense has faced significant challenges this season, particularly against high-caliber opponents. Nationally, they rank 87th in total yards per game (360.7), 91st in points per game (23.6), 102nd in passing yards per game (191.6) and 53rd in rushing yards per game (169.1). Under Longo's 23-game tenure, the Badgers struggled to establish a consistent offensive identity, with quarterback performance being notably erratic. In Wisconsin's loss to the Ducks, QB Braedyn Locke completed 12 of 28 passes for 96 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per attempt, with one touchdown and one interception, culminating in a quarterback rating of 19.9.
Longo's tenure as OC was marked by challenges in recruiting and developing a consistent QB. He brought in several high-potential transfers, including Locke from Mississippi State, Tanner Mordecai from SMU, Tyler Van Dyke from Miami and Nick Evers from Oklahoma. However, these acquisitions did not yield the expected results.
Mordecai delivered an average performance in his single season as Wisconsin's QB in 2023, failing to significantly elevate the team's offense. Evers never played before transferring to Connecticut in the 2024 offseason, where he secured the starting QB position. Van Dyke's tenure at Wisconsin was cut short due to a season-ending injury sustained during a loss to Alabama. These developments underscore the difficulties Longo faced in establishing a stable, effective quarterback presence.
Three Candidates To Watch
As Wisconsin seeks a permanent OC following Longo's departure, several candidates with ties to Fickell emerge as potential replacements.
Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame OC
Denbrock served as Fickell's OC at Cincinnati from 2017-21, culminating in a 13-1 season and a College Football Playoff berth in 2021. Now at Notre Dame, Denbrock has guided the Fighting Irish to averaging 38.0 points per game (seventh in FBS). In 2023, he led LSU's offense to the top of the FBS offensive ranks, averaging 537 total yards and 43.3 points per game. The main question for Wisconsin is financial: Denbrock earns $2.1 million annually at Notre Dame, while the Badgers paid Longo $1.25 million per year. Matching or increasing his salary is a significant hurdle.
Will Stein, Oregon OC
Will Stein has been instrumental in leading high-powered offenses at both Oregon and UTSA. At Oregon, his offense ranks 18th in the FBS for points per game (34.9) and 15th in total yards per game (443.8). Previously, at UTSA, Stein's offense was 16th in points per game (35.6) and 14th in total yards (470.5). Currently earning $1.4 million annually, Stein could be a viable candidate for Wisconsin's OC position, provided the financial offer is competitive.
Gino Guidugli, Notre Dame QB Coach and Pass Game Coordinator
Guidugli served as OC under Fickell during Fickell's final year at Cincinnati. In that season, the Bearcats ranked 86th in total yards per game (360.2) and 69th in points per game (26.4), indicating challenges in offensive consistency. The coaching staff faced a significant challenge in replacing star QB Desmond Ridder and eight other players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. This hire will not excite Badgers fans at all, but relationships matter in football and Guidugli is a known commodity to Fickell.
What Does This Hire Mean?
With the 2024 season not living up to expectations, this is the most important hire Fickell will make in his time at Wisconsin. It likely decides his long-term fate as the Badgers' coach. Hiring Fickell marked a significant shift in Wisconsin's football philosophy, particularly with the introduction of the Air Raid offense. Unfortunately, the much-hyped, promised offensive firepower has fluttered and crashed into the ground. Time for Fickell to elevate the offense or crash and burn with it forever.
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