A long and quiet search for the next defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin is close to being over.
Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Badgers will be going with an internal hire — outside linebackers coach Tim Tibesar.
He was part of a defensive coaching staff that helped Wisconsin finish No. 1 nationally in points allowed per game (13.7) and No. 2 in yards allowed (268.5).
With Dave Aranda off to LSU and a guaranteed contract worth a reported $4 million over the course of his contract, Wisconsin chose to go with someone familiar with the players and the system Aranda loved to run.
Tibesar was highly regarded for his work with the outside linebackers this past season. He helped to develop Jack Cichy and T.J. Watt in to capable players, and was there to help elevate the play of Joe Schobert.
Schobert ended the year as the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and earned multiple first team All-American honors after racking up 19.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks on the season.
2015 was Tibesar’s first with the Badgers, but he does come to UW with coordinator experience. He was the defensive coordinator with Purdue back in 2012 and was previously at Kansas State (2007-08).
At Kansas State, Tibesar’s defenses put up some great numbers in the pass-happy Big 12. Under his direction in 2007, the Wildcat defense led the Big 12 Conference in sacks per game (2.5) and finished fifth in the conference in turnover margin.
He has a long history of coaching within the 3-4 system, making this hire make sense from a continuity standpoint.
One name that appeared to be under heavy consideration was Houston defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, however Potrykus’ article indicates Orlando wanted to stay loyal to head coach Tom Herman.
Few other names have been confirmed to be involved in the search and Tibesar was one of the few linked to the position from the very beginning.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
