Kansas University assistant football coach Dave Doeren, who ascended to become the co-defensive coordinator at KU after just three seasons, has been named an assistant coach at Wisconsin, Badgers head coach Bret Bielema announced Friday.
Doeren will serve as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Badgers.
“Dave is one of the top young coaches in the country,” Bielema said. “The Kansas defense was highly rated in 2005 and Dave coordinated the signing of a very talented recruiting class there last year. He has a bright future ahead of him and I’m pleased it will be here at Wisconsin.”
Doeren has risen quickly through the college coaching ranks. Since 2002 he has served as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Kansas. He was promoted last summer to co-defensive coordinator.
The Jayhawks, who routed Houston, 42-13, in the 2005 Fort Worth Bowl, led the Big 12 Conference and ranked No. 3 nationally in rushing defense (83.3 ypg) this past season. Kansas also was No. 2 in the Big 12 and 11th nationally in total defense (303.3 ypg).
“Dave has done an outstanding job on our coaching staff. He worked hard towards our success both on the field and in recruiting,” KU coach Mark Mangino said in a released statement. “We certainly wish Dave and Sara our very best.”
KU linebacker Nick Reid was a two-time, first-team All-Big 12 selection, a third-team A.P. All-American
and was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. Three other Jayhawk linebackers (Banks Floodman, Kevin Kane and Brandon Perkins) were named honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2005.
Doeren went to Kansas after spending two seasons as the secondary coach (as well as one season as recruiting coordinator) at Montana. The Grizzlies won the NCAA Division I-AA title in 2001. Doeren coached seven all-conference defensive backs at Montana, including two who earned All-America honors. The Grizzlies were 28-3 with two conference championships during Doeren’s two seasons.
Prior to his time at Montana, Doeren was a two-year (1998-99) graduate assistant at Southern California. The 1998 Trojans led the nation in interceptions with 24 (including five that were returned for TDs). USC
led the nation in turnover margin in 1999 and was second nationally in interceptions with 21 (including five returned for TDs).
Doeren started his college coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Drake, from 1995-97. He coached linebackers all three years and became defensive coordinator in 1997. Doeren began coaching (wide receivers and defensive line) at Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Northwest High School in 1994. A graduate of Bishop Miege High School in Shawnee Mission, Doeren was a four-year letterwinner at Drake and earned Academic All-America honors as a senior.
The 34-year-old Doeren, who has coached in three bowl games and two national championship contests, is a native of Shawnee Mission, Kan. He and his wife, Sara, have two sons: Jacob and Luke.
