Wisconsin is looking to get back to their old ways on the offensive line, and the man to help them get there is new position coach Eric Mateos.
Luke Fickell and the Badgers brought in Mateos this winter, after he spent the last two seasons with Arkansas, and the previous three at Baylor, where he crossed paths with Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. Now, he's tasked with bringing the Wisconsin offensive line back to it's former glory in his first season with the Badgers.
Mateos recently caught up Scary Alvarez on his podcast and discussed what it's been like working for Fickell so far.
"It’s been a breath of fresh air," said Mateos. "I don't know if it's the d-line coach in him, but I really enjoyed being around somebody that has an intensity to them and a focus to them."
New O-Line coach Eric Mateos is looking forward to getting chewed out
Fickell has been under fire for most of his tenure at Wisconsin, and hasn't produced a winning record in back-to-back seasons. For Mateos though, Fickell represents everything he loves about a football coach, and is actually looking forward to the first time the head coach chews him out.
"He’s been so detailed as far as his expectations…I've been really impressed with him. I like being around a guy cut from the trenches. I'm kinda waiting for my first real ass-chewing to come."
Typically a strength of the team, the Badger offensive line has had sub-standard play the last few years. The run game suffered, and quarterback sacks piled up. Mateos, on the other hand, orchestrated the No. 2 rated line according to Pro Football Network in 2025 with the Razorbacks. Hopefully, he can bring that same success to Madison in a crucial season for the Badgers.