Andersen Announces 2013 Coaching Staff

With the official end to the 2012 season on New Years Day, the Badgers have wasted little time looking forward to 2013, officially announcing most of their coaching staff for the upcoming season. There are few surprises in regards to the incoming coaches. Andy Ludwig was already announced as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Dave Aranda was expected to run the defense, Chad Kauha'aha'a and T.J. Woods were always expected to run the defensive and offensive lines, respectively, and Bill Busch was going to work with the secondary.

Conventional wisdom did have Hammock and Strickland staying in Madison to work in their respective positions as well. As mentioned in the summary, though, the big name missing from this initial announcement is Bart Miller. Miller stepped into the fray after Mike Markuson was fired two weeks into the season and had, all things considered, a pretty impressive performance. You take away those two weeks, and the Badgers averaged roughly three-tenths of a yard per rush attempt higher than they did on the season.

If you read the press release, you'll notice that the Badgers still have three openings to fill with their assistant coaching ranks (linebackers, tight ends and wide receivers). That being said, Miller is the expected favorite at tight ends coach. But with the current timing, you have to wonder if Miller is going to accept.

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Andersen announces new members of UW coaching staff

Aranda, Busch, Kauha'aha'a, Ludwig and Woods join Hammock and Strickland.

Jan. 3, 2013

MADISON, Wis. -- With the 2012 season officially coming to an end on Tuesday, Wisconsin football coach Gary Andersen wasted little time in putting together his staff for the 2013 campaign. Andersen announced Thursday that he will be bringing in five new assistant coaches to join current UW staffers Thomas Hammock and Ben Strickland.

The new coaches are offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Andy Ludwig, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, secondary coach Bill Busch, defensive line coach Chad Kauha'aha'a and offensive line coach T.J. Woods. Hammock will continue to coach running backs while Strickland will remain and coach in the secondary.

"I am excited by the staff we have been able to assemble," Andersen said. "They are quality coaches who bring the experience and philosophies that will enable us to continue playing great offense and defense at Wisconsin. They are also individuals who take care of kids first and will coach them in the right way.

"I have previously worked with the five coaches we are bringing in and I have gotten to know Thomas and Ben in the last few weeks so that familiarity will be beneficial. Both on offense and defense, these coaches have shown a lot of flexibility within their systems, and their main goal is to get the best 11 players on the field and build around their strengths. Our style on offense will be very familiar to Wisconsin fans while on defense I am confident that we can continue the great tradition of tough and physical units that has been established here."

(Read the rest of the press release here).