Just four days after the departure of Earl Lane, who was originally hired to coach the Badgers' defensive line before leaving to join Louisiana State, head coach Bret Bielema announced Monday the hiring of 36-year-old Randall McCray to fill the vacancy.
McCray coached the defensive line and linebackers during the past three seasons at Toledo, helping the Rockets to a 9-3 record and a 45-13 GMAC Bowl win over the University of Texas-El Paso.
'Randall has worked his way through the coaching ranks in an impressive fashion,' Bielema said. 'We first met at the coaches convention in January, and I like what he brings to the table. He obviously had great success at Toledo and Illinois State. I know we are getting a quality coach.'
McCray takes over a defensive unit that may prove to be the strongest and deepest on the 2006 Badger team. All eight players on the two-deep depth chart are expected back, including sophomore Jamal Copper and freshman Matt Shaughnessy, who each missed extensive time last season with knee and leg injuries respectively.
