It's been a long couple of days, but it looks like we might actually have some news to discuss. The Badgers must replace five assistant coaches from last year's team, and there are a plethora of candidates to take those vacant jobs. Keep checking back at B5Q - we'll update this page as news breaks.
1:34 PM - One down, four to go? Evan Flood of 247Sports tweeted that Azzanni to Wisconsin is a "done deal." We are still waiting on official word from Bielema or the Wisconsin Athletic Department.
Source tells me former WKU OC/WR Coach Zach Azzanni is the new Wide Receiver Coach at Wisconsin. #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood247) January 13, 2012
12:00 AM - Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that while it appears as though Azzanni is headed to Wisconsin, no deal is in place right now.
According to a report from the Western Kentucky University Herald, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni will join Bret Bielema's staff as the new receivers coach.
#WKU offensive coordinator Zach Azzanni will be named Wisconsin wide receivers coach, the Herald has learned.
— WKU Herald Sports (@wkuheraldsports) January 12, 2012
If Azzanni does make the move to Wisconsin, it would be a good pickup for the Badgers. Azzanni is regarded as a good receivers coach and a strong recruiter, and the Badgers will need his skills to hold onto commitments for their 2012 class.
The report does not mention when Azzanni will officially join the Badgers' staff, if it ends up being correct. However, the timing would make sense. Bielema has said he'd like to have most of his staff in place to take advantage of the open recruiting period, which begins this weekend and runs until national signing day.
Azzanni's hiring could also point to another candidate for the Badgers' open offensive coordinator position. In a report earlier this week, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Bielema was interviewing two offensive coordinator candidates; one of whom knows Azzanni.
One potential candidate who fits that mold is Temple offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler. Loeffler and Azzanni both worked for Urban Meyer at Florida in 2010, but the Wisconsin State Journal's report said Loeffler was not high on Bielema's list at that time.