The Wisconsin football program is making an internal decision with their recent change in the coaching staff.
As per a report by Pete Thamel, Kenny Guiton will move from his position as wide receivers coach to quarterbacks coach, taking on a key role for the Badgers following the firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo towards the end of the 2024 season.
Guiton, who started with the Badgers’ coaching staff in January 2024 as the wide receivers coach, took on the interim quarterback coach position out of necessity during the last two weeks of the regular season.
Braedyn Locke described his experience with Guiton as a positive connection. “I’m saying, coach Guiton has experience playing that position.” He grasps that viewpoint and knows how to handle that situation. “It has been a pleasure collaborating with him.”
The choice to establish that arrangement as permanent occurs as the Badgers keep transforming their coaching staff and roster as they approach 2025. The program is now anticipated to quickly hire a new wide receivers coach to take over Guiton’s former position, along with some other staff members in different roles, as there are no longer restrictions on hiring assistant coaches.
This transition represents Guiton’s initial chance to oversee a quarterbacks group.
The Houston-born ex-Ohio State quarterback possesses a broad background as a receivers coach, having worked at Houston, Louisiana Tech, Colorado State, Arkansas, and Wisconsin. His connection with Badgers head coach Luke Fickell, however, goes back to his playing days, as he was part of the Ohio State staff that brought him to Columbus.
Throughout his time with the Buckeyes, Guiton completed 89 of 134 passes for 893 yards, throwing 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
The quarterback room that Guiton takes over has seen considerable change this offseason. Tyler Van Dyke, Braedyn Locke, Mabrey Mettauer, Cole LaCrue, and 2025 signee Landyn Locke have departed from the program, leaving walk-on Milos Spasojevic as the sole returning player from that position group on last year’s roster.
Wisconsin has since strengthened its roster by acquiring Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil, and 2025 four-star recruit Carter Smith. Edwards is anticipated to begin in 2025, but Guiton’s capacity to assist in developing O’Neil or Smith into an early asset and stop the trend of needing to use the portal again next offseason will be crucial.
Guiton’s advancement also signifies Wisconsin’s requirement for specialized coaching with new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, who has not coached quarterbacks before. Guiton’s experience with quarterbacks and wide receivers provides him with a comprehensive view of the passing game that balances Grimes’ stronger focus on the running offense.
By relying on Guiton’s expertise with the program and his enduring rapport with Fickell, the Badgers aim to solidify their quarterback room’s progress and rejuvenate a passing offense that has not met expectations during the last two seasons.
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