Monday night had a surprise in store for Wisconsin, as a few different outlets were reporting that Michigan State was hiring away Badger running backs coach Devon Spalding. Which means that Luke Fickell, on the edge of the opening of the transfer portal, is not only looking for about 30+ starting-level players but also a new coach for his staff.
Wisconsin fans were quick to jump on X and share ideas for Luke Fickell to help him in the hiring process. The most common name among Badger Nation was James White, who just left his position as assistant running backs coach at Illinois to be the Benet Academy Head football coach.
Whats it gonna take? @SweetFeet_White @brian_calhoun2 #ComeHome#RBU https://t.co/1BJEr4RLA7
— Badger_Recruiting (@Wi_Recruiting) December 30, 2025
@SweetFeet_White come back
— nathandodge (@Badgerfan26) December 30, 2025
Now go hire one of these 3 and help us return to RBU. https://t.co/6h9SvBH8qE pic.twitter.com/GFp7tzpOxg
— Dr. Marte (@Badgers_44) December 30, 2025
James White should be the first name on Luke Fickell's list when looking for a new RB coach
It would be a home run hire from both the coaching and PR standpoints if Luke Fickell brings James White to Madison as a coach. It would be one of the few hirings that Fickell has made ever that would be met with immediate and resounding praise from the Wisconsin fans.
There, of course, were other names suggested, like Melvin Gordon and Montee Ball. However, neither of those former stars is currently coaching at the collegiate level. For White, he's already doing it and knows what it looks like. Of course, it would be a promotion from high school head coach (and formerly an Illinois RB assistant coach) to his own room, but it would bring home a legend, and White could help restore the glory of the RB room at Wisconsin.
Other names have been circulating as potential fits with more or less nostalgia, like Donnel Pumphrey and an up-and-coming coach at Sacramento State. He was also an elite college running back who has now become a coach of the position.
How about Donnel Pumphrey, the current running backs coach at Sacramento State, as a potential replacement for Devon Spalding?
— Jon McNamara (@McNamara_247) December 30, 2025
@ZachHeilprin https://t.co/ZtagKyjMwM
Luke Fickell will need to figure out that position on his coaching staff fairly quick as the transfer portal is about to open. He wants to make sure he doesn't lose any other players to it, and he needs help bringing in players, too. While running back isn't the biggest position of need, adding another back to the room would help.