Badgers hire April to coach outside linebackers
February 07, 2018 | Football
New assistant brings NFL experience to Wisconsin defense
MADISON, Wis. — Paul Chryst has completed his Wisconsin football coaching staff for 2018 with the hiring of Bobby April III as outside linebackers coach.
April joins the Badgers after spending six seasons in the NFL, most recently as linebackers coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and 2016.
"What's always appealed to me about Wisconsin football is the way the players play with a chip on their shoulder and how tough mentally and physically they are," April said. "The attitude of the program and the fans, the excitement of the city is incomparable.
"The defense speaks for itself over the last five seasons. It's been dominant. I just want to come in here and help it get better. The players are young and hungry, which is exciting to see. With Coach Chryst, he's an unbelievable coach but a more unbelievable person. He's brought on guys that share his values and it's a great thing to be a part of."
"We're excited to add Bobby to the staff," Chryst said. "He brings great knowledge and passion for the game of football. His experience will help our players grow and is a great fit for our defensive staff room."
In his final season with the Bills, April coached a pair of All-Pro linebackers in Lorenzo Alexander and Zach Brown. Both were named to the Pro Bowl, with Alexander earning Defensive MVP honors.
Prior to his time in Buffalo, April served two seasons on the New York Jets staff. He spent the 2013 season as a quality control assistant before being promoted to linebackers coach in 2014. April got his start in the NFL under head coach Andy Reid, working as a quality control assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles' secondary in 2011 and 2012.
A graduate of Louisiana-Lafayette, April's coaching career began as a student assistant at his alma mater in 2004. He spent the next two seasons as a graduate assistant at Tulane before taking a position as inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Portland State under head coach Jerry Glanville, a role he held from 2007-09. He then served as secondary coach and special teams coordinator at Nicholls State in 2010.
April is the son of longtime coach Bobby April Jr., a two-time NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year. He and his wife, Laura, have a daughter, Olivia Grace.
