MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4) will continue the rest of the season with a new offensive coordinator. Following Saturday’s 16-13 loss to No. 1 Oregon, the Badgers have parted ways with second-year offensive coordinator Phil Longo, sources tell Badger247.
UW Athletic confirmed the news and head coach Luke Fickell released a statement:
“This morning, I informed Phil Longo that he will no longer serve as our Offensive Coordinator. After continuing to evaluate the program, I decided we are not where we need to be and believe this decision is in the best interest of the team. I appreciate Phil’s commitment to helping us build our program over the past two seasons and wish him well moving forward. This team still has a lot in front of us and I am committed to doing everything we can to close out this season with success.”
Longo brought the air-raid offense to Madison, but it just never took off.
Through nine games in 2024, UW’s offense ranks outside the top 85 nationally in points per game (23.6) and total yards per game (360.7). The Badgers are also No. 102 in FBS in passing yards per game (191.6). In five games against ranked opponents during the regular season, Longo’s offenses averaged 15.4 ppg — all losses. When facing power-four teams with .500 record or better, UW put up 15.3 ppg in 2024 — again all defeats.
There were high hopes when Longo followed Fickell to Madison prior to the 2023 season, but he could never duplicate his prior success at North Carolina.
Longo arrived at UNC in 2019 and implemented and saw results quickly. UNC’s offense that season averaged 474 yards per game (12th nationally) and 33.1 points per game (30th nationally).
The Tar Heels finished fifth nationally in total offense in 2020, 10th in 2021 and 15th in 2022. The 2020 unit, by far Longo’s best, averaged 537.2 yards per game and 41.7 points per game to set program records in both categories.
Under Longo’s tutelage, quarterback Sam Howell became one of the best quarterbacks in the nation under Longo’s direction from 2019-21. Howell won ACC Rookie of the Year in 2019 when he set UNC freshman records in completions (259), attempts (422), passing yards (3,641), and passing touchdowns (38). He completed 63.8% of his passes for 10,283 yards with 92 touchdowns and 23 interceptions over three seasons as the starter.
Longo’s success in developing prolific quarterbacks at North Carolina continued with Drake Maye completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,115 yards with 35 touchdowns and seven picks. He won ACC Player of the Year as the Tar Heels went 9-3 during the regular season to reach the conference championship game. Maye ended up being a first round draft pick of the New England Patriots.
Longo’s offenses have also featured dynamic running backs, especially in 2020 when Michael Carter and Javonte Williams each amassed 1,000 yards. Carter led the team with 1,245 yards and had nine scores, while Williams piled up 1,140 yards and 19 scores.
During Longo’s tenure in Chapel Hill, the UNC ranked first in the ACC in passing yards, passer rating, passing touchdowns, rushing yards, and total offense. They were also third in points per game. All those marks were top 10 nationally as well.
Per a source, tight ends coach Nate Letton will handle the play-calling duties for UW.
The Badgers will look to end a three-game slide on Saturday at Nebraska (5-6, 2-5).
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