Report: Former Wisconsin LB coach Bobby April III expected to become new defensive coordinator at Stanford

Former Wisconsin outside linebackers coach Bobby April III is expected to become the new defensive coordinator at Stanford, FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman reported on Wednesday afternoon. April spent the past five years with the Wisconsin Badgers after six years as an NFL assistant. Last season, he was even a finalist for the Michigan defensive coordinator job.

In the NFL, April spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets, and the Buffalo Bills. This season, the Wisconsin Badgers’ run defense ranked 12th in the nation–only surrendering 103.1 yards per game on the ground. Their pass defense ranked 31st in the nation–allowing 202 yards per game through the air. The Badgers’ defense only allowed 20.5 points per game in 2022, ranking them 25th in the nation in that stat category.

In 2021, under April’s tutelage, the Badgers led the country by allowing just 64.8 yards per game, becoming just the second FBS team since 2008 to allow fewer than 70.0 yards rushing per game over an entire season. Wisconsin allowed just 2.12 yards per carry in 2021, ranking first in the nation. It was the best mark by a FBS defense since 2016. In April’s first season as defensive run game coordinator, Wisconsin led the Big Ten and ranked fifth nationally in run defense (96.1 ypg.).