When the University of Wisconsin football team gathers in full next week, they will have an unprecedented number of coaches on staff. Badgers head coach Luke Fickell is bringing on Scott Power as a likely assistant defensive backs coach, although his official title is still being finalized. Previously, Power served as the associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and safeties coach at Western Michigan last year and has also held coordinator roles at Louisiana Tech and Stephen F. Austin.
Power has a background as a linebacker, having played at UW-Platteville—where the Badgers conduct their training camp—and Hanover College, followed by a career in the European Football League and Arena Football League. His hire is part of an ongoing trend this offseason as Fickell takes advantage of the NCAA’s rule change allowing an unlimited number of on-field coaches. Fickell has also added Steve Rolan as assistant receivers coach, Joe Ludwig as assistant tight ends coach, and promoted Tuf Borland to assistant linebackers coach.
Power is the second former Western Michigan coach to join the Wisconsin staff this winter, following receivers coach Jordan Reid, and the second former coordinator hired by Fickell, as Rolan was previously the offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois.
In another development, Wisconsin’s defensive backfield has experienced significant changes this offseason, with four cornerbacks entering the transfer portal and Xavier Lucas facing a standoff with the program regarding his own transfer. Senior cornerback Ricardo Hallman will return, providing some continuity at the field cornerback spot. Additionally, the Badgers lost promising young safeties Braedyn Moore and Justin Taylor to the portal, and multi-year starter Hunter Wohler has completed his eligibility.
