For the second time in two seasons, Wisconsin has to replace a top-flight defensive coordinator.
ESPN’s Jeff Goodman and Brett McMurphy reported Friday that Justin Wilcox has a verbal agreement with Cal on a five-year contract to become the Bears’ next head coach.
Under Wilcox in 2016, the Badgers were ninth overall in the country in total defense, tied for second in total interceptions, third overall in rushing defense and fourth in scoring defense.
Wisconsin has turned into a plum defensive coordinator job (even if mostly as a launching pad), so there will be quality interest if Paul Chryst looks to the outside.