Putting the finishing touches on his first coaching staff at Wisconsin, head coach Bret Bielema announced the hiring of Bob Bostad to coach the Badgers' tight ends and Earl Lane to coach the defensive line.
A native of Pardeeville, Wis., Bostad was a four-year starter at linebacker and graduate of UW-Stevens Point. He coached the offensive line at New Mexico for the past seven seasons, and his 2005 offensive line spearheaded the attack of DonTrell Moore, the Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year and the nation's 10th leading rusher.
'I have followed Bob's career from afar since we met about 10 years ago,' Bielema said in a UW release. 'He has had success at New Mexico, has been a graduate assistant in the Big Ten at Minnesota and is familiar with the state of Wisconsin. He's coming home to coach and I think it will be a great fit for Bob, his family and our program.'
Bostad will guide a unit that recently lost its top three players to graduation (Owen Daniels, Jason Pociask and Joel Nellis). Freshman Travis Beckum and sophomore Andy Crooks, who played defensive end and linebacker respectively last season, have been converted to tight ends Bielema announced earlier this week.
Lane was an orginal member of the University of South Florida coaching staff which ranked 14th nationally in scoring defense (18 ppg) and 17th in total defense (311.9 ypg) in 2005. The Bulls lost the Meineke Car Care Bowl with North Carolina State, 14-0, on Dec. 31, 2005.
'I have been aware of Earl for several years and he comes strongly recommended,' Bielema said. 'I'm impressed with his work ethic and his knowledge of the game. He's an excellent teacher and I am happy to have him join our staff.'
