Report: Wisconsin to hire Arkansas assistant Kenny Guiton as wide receivers coach

Wisconsin is set to hire Arkansas wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton as wide receivers coach, Football Scoop reported Tuesday. He spent three years in Fayetteville in the same capacity and will replace Mike Brown, who left for Notre Dame.

It’s a reunion of sorts for Luke Fickell. Guiton played quarterback at Ohio State from 2009-13, meaning he played for Fickell the year he served as the Buckeyes’ interim head coach. He then embarked on a brief professional career in the AFL and with the Buffalo Bills, but got into coaching in 2015 as a graduate assistant at Houston.

Guiton spent two years with the Cougars in the role and moved up to wide receivers coach from 2017-18. He then went to Louisiana Tech and Colorado State for a season each in 2019 and 2020, and joined Sam Pittman’s staff at Arkansas in 2021. After the Razorbacks moved on from offensive coordinator Dan Enos, Kenny Guiton assumed the role in the interim before the program hired Bobby Petrino.

Wisconsin had an up-and-down first season under Fickell in 2023 en route to a 7-5 record. The Badgers are currently getting ready for the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU, and they’ve been active in the transfer portal so far this cycle.

Wisconsin has landed seven commitments, including one from former Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke — the No. 13-ranked quarterback to enter the portal, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Former Michigan State wide receiver Tyrell Henry is also in the fold.

The Badgers also got a big boost earlier this month. Running back Chez Mellusi, who suffered a season-ending injury, is returning to Madison for another season for another year in Phil Longo’s system.

“When I arrived at Wisconsin in 2021, I was just a kid from Florida on a mission to become the best player and person I could be,” Mellusi said in his announcement. “There are so many people here who have helped me reach for that dream every single day and I will always be thankful for their belief in me, wearing the jersey or not.

“Speaking of dreams, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always dreamed of playing at the highest level possible and getting a chance to compete in the NFL. But I’m not done dreaming in Wisconsin. I’m excited to announce that | will be returning for the 2024 season. I can’t wait for one last go-around in Camp Randall with my teammates.”