Wisconsin Football Countdown: No. 63, Joe Rudolph
By Jim Oxley
As the countdown to the first Wisconsin football game of the season continues, Badger of Honor is taking a look at Badgers by the numbers, checking in on a different Badger or Badgers players who wore the number corresponding with the remaining days until the Badgers head to Texas to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday, Sept. 5.
Next up in our countdown, signifying 63 days until college football is back, is Joe Rudolph.
Wisconsin Badgers
Rudolph spent 1991 to 1994 as an offensive guard at UW Madison.
He was a two-year starter for the Badgers in 1993 and 1994, helping Wisconsin win a Rose Bowl in 1993 and the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1994.
He was a first team All-Big Ten selection in both 1993 and 1994, and was a team captain as a senior in 1994. He also took home UW’s Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award after earning Academic All-Big Ten status in 1992, 1993 and 1994.
After college, Rudolph played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995, and for the San Francisco 49ers in 1997 and 1999.
Following his pro career Rudolph began coaching, first as a graduate assistant for Ohio State from 2004-2006 then as Nebraska’s tight end coach in 2007.
He returned to Wisconsin as the tight ends coach from 2008-2011, before heading to Pittsburgh with Paul Chryst in 2012. He was named interim head coach at Pitt after Chryst left for Wisconsin, and again, Rudolph returned to the Badgers.
More from Badgers Alumni
- Former Wisconsin great Jonathan Taylor talks about hiring of Luke Fickell
- Former Wisconsin Badgers still in NFL Playoffs
- Wisconsin Football: Badgers Focus on Life Beyond Football
- Throwback Thursday Tribute: Defensive Lineman J.J. Watt
- Wisconsin Badgers Football: Fantasy football options in 2018
He currently is Wisconsin’s assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach.
Rudolph was voted onto the All-Alvarez team in 2005, joining fellow guard Dan Buenning on the list that was voted on by former players and team staff and produced by the Capital Times.
Who wore No. 63 first?
• Tackle Paul Dempsey first wore No. 63 for the Badgers in 1927.
Who wears No. 63 now?
• Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Michael Deiter currently wears No. 63 for the Badgers. Deiter is expected to compete and win a starting lineman spot this season.
Stay tuned to Badger of Honor as we continue our daily countdown in preparation of the season opener against Alabama.
Next: Wisconsin Football Experience