Luke Fickell reshapes coaching staff as Wisconsin coach takes on a different role

It was announced that former Wisconsin co-defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler was fired today by the Alabama Crimson Tide. Wisconsin fans are already hoping that he makes a return and that Fickell reshapes his staff to make it happen. Well, Fickell did perform a staff shakeup today, but not in that department (at least not yet).

Wisconsin is moving WR Coach Kenny Guiton to quarterbacks coach.

This opens a spot for either another staff change or an opening on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, there wasn't a coach on the staff who was designated to coach the quarterbacks (in their job title). This may mean more moves are coming, as having a leader over the wide receivers room is often very important for a program.

This position makes more sense for Guiton from his playing days. He played quarterback behind Braxton Miller for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He got meaningful playing time in 2012 and 2013 when Miller went down with an injury.

Guiton tried to make it in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills but ended up in the Arena Football League before switching to a coaching career. He has never coached the quarterbacks before, only wide receivers at Houston, Louisana Tech, Colorado State, and Arkansas before coming to Wisconsin. He served as Arkansas's interim offensive coordinator in the 2023 season. This position came with a lot of quarterback work, play-calling, and setting up the offense, and much of his experience for this new position at Wisconsin will come from his playing days and that stint for the Razorbacks.

The move has not yet been made official by Wisconsin, but it's one that makes sense for the future of the coaching staff. It will be important to watch to see if any more reshuffling happens on the staff. Does one of the current coaches take on the wide receiver coaching position? Or does Fickell look to hire from outside to replace Guiton?