Brad Childress Is Interested in Being Head Coach at Wisconsin

Jun 12, 2012; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress watches his quarterbacks during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Childress could be returning to the neighborhood, not as an NFL coach but as a college coach. Jason LaCanfora reports that Childress, who is currently employed as offensive coordinator in Cleveland, is “intrigued” by the Wisconsin job. That job became open after Bret Bielema unexpectedly (and to the delight of tormented Gopher fans) left for Arkansas. Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez will return to the sidelines for the Rose Bowl but is not expected to coach after that.

Childress of course has ties to Wisconsin. He was offensive coordinator there in the ’90s before becoming OC in Philadelphia under Andy Reid. Under Childress, the Badgers became known as one of the most dominant smash-mouth running teams in the entire country. That’s an identity they would surely like to perpetuate into the future. But is Chilly the man to help them do that?

I personally would be shocked if the Badgers pursued Childress. The connection to the program is a point in his favor and he surely has the experience. But that’s the problem. Childress has a little too much experience. I think he’s a little long in the tooth for the Badgers. My guess is that they’ll pursue a young, rising coach. Not an old retread like Chilly.

Alvarez has already said he wants to go for someone who is currently a head man in college. But if they can’t get one of those candidates, they might go for a young NFL coordinator. Two names immediately spring to mind. Darrell Bevell, former Badgers QB and current Seahawks OC is one. The other is Mel Tucker, current Jaguars DC and former Badger defensive back.

It’s fun speculating on what kind of guys might fill out a Darrell Bevell staff at Wisconsin. Could they reach out to Brett Favre? He has been coaching high school. Maybe he’s ready to make the leap to QB coach at a major college program. That would certainly be a bizarre twist. Favre returning to Wisconsin as a Badger coach. Never saw that coming.

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