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The Minnesota Golden Gophers are hiring former Wisconsin outside linebackers coach Bobby April III as their new rush ends coach, as first reported by the Pioneer Press' Andy Greder.
April led the Badgers' pass-rushing corps from 2018-22 under ace defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. He oversaw some of the best outside linebacker rooms in program history, developing the likes of Andrew Van Ginkel, Zack Baun, Nick Herbig and others. He was part of a Wisconsin defensive staff that turned over completely from 2022 to 2023, following Luke Fickell's arrival.
The veteran coach left the Badgers for the defensive coordinator job at Stanford, where he spent the last three seasons. His unit finished No. 132, No. 116 and No. 98, respectively, in total defense during that time. Those marks signal the state of the overall team, which finished 3-9 during the first two of those seasons, then improved to a 4-8 mark in 2025.
April is now set to take over a position on the Gophers' coaching staff previously held by C.J. Robbins, who was promoted to full-time defensive line coach earlier this offseason. Minnesota finished the 2025 season ranked No. 34 in total defense and No. 51 in scoring defense. Notably for April, the team finished tied for seventh in the nation in total sacks (39.0), averaging three per game. Star defensive end Anthony Smith, who is set to return in 2026, accounted for a Big Ten-leading 12 1/2 of those sacks.
Wisconsin will, of course, play Minnesota to close the 2026 season. The Gophers have won two straight in the series and four of the last five dating back to 2021. Their wins to close the previous two seasons have come by a combined margin of 41-14.
Badgers fans will hope that Minnesota's pass-rush group, now led by April, doesn't match the terrific units he led during his time at Wisconsin.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football coach Bobby April Minnesota Golden Gophers hire
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April led the Badgers' pass-rushing corps from 2018-22 under ace defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. He oversaw some of the best outside linebacker rooms in program history, developing the likes of Andrew Van Ginkel, Zack Baun, Nick Herbig and others. He was part of a Wisconsin defensive staff that turned over completely from 2022 to 2023, following Luke Fickell's arrival.
The veteran coach left the Badgers for the defensive coordinator job at Stanford, where he spent the last three seasons. His unit finished No. 132, No. 116 and No. 98, respectively, in total defense during that time. Those marks signal the state of the overall team, which finished 3-9 during the first two of those seasons, then improved to a 4-8 mark in 2025.
April is now set to take over a position on the Gophers' coaching staff previously held by C.J. Robbins, who was promoted to full-time defensive line coach earlier this offseason. Minnesota finished the 2025 season ranked No. 34 in total defense and No. 51 in scoring defense. Notably for April, the team finished tied for seventh in the nation in total sacks (39.0), averaging three per game. Star defensive end Anthony Smith, who is set to return in 2026, accounted for a Big Ten-leading 12 1/2 of those sacks.
Wisconsin will, of course, play Minnesota to close the 2026 season. The Gophers have won two straight in the series and four of the last five dating back to 2021. Their wins to close the previous two seasons have come by a combined margin of 41-14.
Badgers fans will hope that Minnesota's pass-rush group, now led by April, doesn't match the terrific units he led during his time at Wisconsin.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football coach Bobby April Minnesota Golden Gophers hire
Continue reading...
