After a tough season in the trenches, Wisconsin has decided to make a change up front, parting ways with offensive line coach AJ Blazek. The move signals a clear message: the Badgers are looking to reestablish their dominance in the offensive line room - a space that’s long been the backbone of the program’s identity.
Blazek, who spent the past two seasons guiding Wisconsin’s offensive line, oversaw a unit that never quite lived up to the program’s lofty standards. Whether that was due to personnel, development, or bigger-picture investment, the bottom line is this: Wisconsin’s line play didn’t match the tradition. And in a place where road-grading linemen are practically a birthright, that wasn’t going to fly for long.
Enter Eric Mateos, one of the most respected offensive line coaches in college football right now. He’s known for his energy, his eye for talent, and his ability to develop tough, technically sound units that play with an edge. This is a significant hire for Wisconsin - a program that doesn’t just want to get back to being good up front, but elite.
As for Blazek, he didn’t stay on the market long. UCF has brought him on board to lead its offensive line, stepping into a role left vacant after the tragic passing of former line coach Shawn Clark in September. It’s a fresh start for Blazek and a timely addition for the Knights, who are gearing up for the transfer portal’s January window and need a steady hand to guide their line room through a pivotal offseason.
There’s also a familiar face waiting for Blazek in Orlando. He shares a past connection with UCF defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, and while they’ll be working on opposite sides of the ball, that kind of familiarity can go a long way in building cohesion on a staff. Head coach Scott Frost likely saw that as a plus in bringing Blazek aboard.
For UCF, this is a chance to stabilize a critical position group with a coach who’s been through the battles of Big Ten football. For Blazek, it’s a chance to reset and reestablish himself in a new environment, one where the expectations are high but the opportunity is real.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin turns the page with Mateos, hoping his arrival sparks a resurgence in one of college football’s most storied offensive line traditions. The Badgers are betting that a new voice, new vision, and renewed focus can bring their front five back to the standard fans in Madison have come to expect.
Two programs. Two different directions. One shared goal: building a dominant offensive line.