Dave Aranda, Matt Campbell Make List for Wisconsin Coaching Targets
Over the weekend, Wisconsin fired long-time head coach Paul Chryst five games into the 2022 season, which was a bit surprising. For now, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has stepped into an interim role, and could win the job given some success down the road.
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold’s name is already being connected to the job, however, he is not the only Big 12 head coach that is garnering attention for the job.
According to CBS Sports, Dave Aranda, and Matt Campbell are also on the shortlist for the Wisconsin job. Here is what Tom Fornelli had to say about both Aranda and Campbell in accordance with being the Badgers’ next head coach.
Dave Aranda, Baylor coach: Gary Andersen didn’t get much right during his short tenure as Wisconsin coach, but he nailed his defensive coordinator hire. Aranda spent three seasons running the Badgers’ defense before leaving for the same position at LSU. After winning a national title with the Tigers, Aranda took the Baylor job and won the Big 12 last season. He’s a California native who has coached all over the country. If Wisconsin called, he’d have to listen.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State coach: Some are wondering if Campbell has waited too long to make the jump from Iowa State. Of course, that assumes he’s ever planned to jump at all. While the Cyclones are only 10-8 overall and 5-6 in Big 12 play since the start of 2021, it’s hard to overlook how well he’s done at one of the country’s most challenging Power Five programs. If Campbell decides Wisconsin is the place to be, you have to think he’d win plenty of games there, too.
Former Baylor and current Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule also made the list, although his name is much further down the list.
The Big 12 has some of the best head coaches in the country, and as long as that continues to be the case, Big 12 names will be connected to major coaching vacancies around the country.
