I'm looking ahead to next year. I have a few guys on my radar that "might" be what the doctor ordered. But first, we need to know exactly what kind of an offense Fickell wants. Longo's offense was more of a spread offense, and that could eliminate a lot of guys right off the bat, if that's not where he wants to go. I think Fick wants a QB who can run both pro set, and run with the ball, when they move into more of a spread offense. I think he wants to be able to use the change ups to keep teams off balance. Let's face it, the Ohio State offense is really the key to success in the Big 10. Find the horses to run it, and you'll win a ton of games. Their offense is a combination of a spread offense with pro-style passing, power run game inclusion, with play action passing and the RPO. You need a QB who is diverse to carry it out. If you're bringing in the O-line, a couple of top receivers, and a TE who can hang onto the ball, and find a typical Wisconsin style power RB, you're going to be a challenger. So, that's my opinion, but I could be wrong. But, based on that, here's guys I see out there.
Jason Eck is a good candidate except he likes to run more of a spread offense. That's pretty much what we were just using, and I think Fick wouldn't be interested. He will want more diversification, and creativity.
Gino Guidugli is a possible choice. He's with Notre Dame. He was going to be with Fickell handling TEs until ND offered him the opportunity to work with QBs. He made Hartman look good last year, and is doing pretty good with Leonard this year who can tuck the ball and run as well as pass. Fick likes that from a QB. He's going to be looking for a Caleb Williams, or Jayden Daniels type. Someone who can force teams to honor all facets of the game. Let's face it, that's what's winning in the college ranks now, and looks pretty good in the NFL too. He might be high on the list, if Fick isn't ticked off at him for jumping ship to ND, and if he's willing to come on board. Of course there's also Mike Denbrock, the OC at ND. The guy actually made Daniels what he is, and has a track record of nurturing QBs. I think that's what's rubbed off on Gino. It would take a lot to get him on board, but it might be a winning choice.
My #1 choice, based on what I see as a high side future, would be Ben Arbuckle who is the OC at Washington State. The guy knows how to create offense, and loves QBs who can think, and use their legs. Ben coached Austin Reed at Western Kentucky, and made him an amazing passer. He also coached Cam Ward, at Washington State, who can put the ball in the air too. He's a good choice, and has a shot at it, but not probably as much as Gino, who looks into the run game a lot more than Ben.
Also on my short list is a guy nobody might even think about. Major Applewhite. He's doing a great job with South Alabama, and is a coaching product that dates to Mack Brown and his Texas juggernauts. Also, a stint at Alabama, with Saban. I think he's a real long shot for the job, but he has South Alabama believing in themselves, and playing good enough football they might get a bowl game. He took over for Kane Womack, who took the job as DC at Alabama. It may not look like a glossy resume, but the guy has smarts, and is creative. He's a real long shot of course.
I do think that the Badgers will go outside their inner circle for the next guy up to be honest. But, it's all conjecture.
