Wisconsin Badgers

Justin Wilcox, who spent the previous 10 years as a defensive coordinator at Boise State, Tennessee, Washington and USC, is in his first season as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach.

Wilcox spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at USC. The Trojans won the Pac-12 South title in 2015 and made a second-straight appearance in the Holiday Bowl.

In 2014, USC’s defense was in the nation’s top 20 in turnover margin, red zone defense and third-down conversion defense. Last year the Trojans led the Pac-12 in third-down conversion defense and scored five defensive touchdowns, good for third-best in the country.

Before going to USC, Wilcox served as Washington’s defensive coordinator the previous two seasons (2012-13). In 2012, the Huskies ranked in the top 40 nationally in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense after finishing the previous year ranked lower than 105th in each category. 

Washington’s scoring defense jumped to 29th nationally in 2013, while its pass efficiency defense improved 60 spots to 27th nationally in 2012 and then was 10th in 2013 (first in the Pac-12). Its 41 pass sacks in 2013 were tied for third-most in the nation. The Huskies played in the 2012 Las Vegas Bowl and 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl.

Wilcox also spent two seasons as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator (2010-11) and four years as the defensive coordinator at Boise State (2006-09). The Broncos went 49-4 during his time at Boise while leading the Western Athletic Conference in total defense and scoring defense each year.

In 2009, Wilcox guided Boise to a No. 14 statistical finish in both total defense and scoring defense and a No. 3 showing in turnover margin. The Broncos bookended the season with two of their most impressive victories clamping down on Pac-10 Conference champion Oregon 19-8 to start the year and then closing with the 17-10 triumph over previously undefeated TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Broncos of 2008 were nearly as tough, finishing 12-1 and winning their second WAC title in three seasons. Wilcox’s defense ranked third nationally in scoring, allowing just 12.6 points per game and holding eight of its 13 opponents to 10 points or fewer.

The Broncos also led the WAC in rushing defense in both 2007 and 2006. Boise State was eighth nationally against the run during Wilcox’s debut season as defensive coordinator, and his overall defensive scheme was instrumental in helping that 2006 squad to a 13-0 record and the now-famous 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

Wilcox began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Boise State in 2001 and 2002. He then spent three seasons as the linebackers coach at California (2003-05) as the Golden Bears went 26-12 and played in three bowls in that span (2003 Insight Bowl, 2004 Holiday Bowl, 2005 Las Vegas Bowl).

Wilcox, 39, played safety and cornerback at Oregon (1996-99) as the Ducks played in three bowl games (1997 Las Vegas Bowl, 1998 Aloha Classic, 1999 Sun Bowl). In 1999, he was named second-team All-Pac-10 and earned Pac-10 All-Academic honors.

A native of Junction City, Oregon, Wilcox earned his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Oregon in 1999. His father, Dave Wilcox, was a Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers (1964-74). His uncle John (Philadelphia Eagles, 1960) and brother Josh (New Orleans Saints, 1998-99) also played In the NFL.

WILCOX SNAPSHOT
BIRTHDAY: Nov. 12, 1976
FAMILY: Single
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, anthropology, Oregon, 1999
COACHING EXPERIENCE: 15 years