Wisconsin has a major coaching staff hole to fill after firing their top assistant.

Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo was relieved of his duties this afternoon after a disappointing showing against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks over the weekend.

Head coach Luke Fickell has yet to name an interim, but here are five candidates who could be realistic options to fill the vacant position after the season ends.

Gino Guidugli

Gino Guidugli was briefly a part of Fickell’s staff at Wisconsin, before leaving for Notre Dame to be the Fighting Irish’s quarterbacks coach. He was the offensive coordinator for one season at Cincinnati after Mike Denbrock left for LSU. They later reunited at Notre Dame, where they both are now.

Guidugli was relatively successful as Fickell’s OC at Cincinnati and has been a fantastic recruiter in South Bend. Guidugli has familiarity with Fickell’s system and would ensure that there are much fewer growing pains than there were when Phil Longo was hired as offensive coordinator.

While this hire might not be as flashy as the others I will list, it’s still a solid choice that helps Fickell try and return to what worked for him at Cincinnati while also bringing in a coach who is a talented recruiter and has been a part of Wisconsin’s staff before.

Brian Hartline

Brian Hardline has been a coach at Ohio State since 2017. Hartline is most notable for being the wide receivers coach who landed highly touted recruits such as Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jeremiah Smith, Garrett Wilson, etc. It’s safe to say he’s one of the best recruiters in the nation.

This offseason, Hartline was demoted to co-offensive coordinator after the Buckeyes brought in Chip Kelly. Now, I doubt that Hartline would want to leave his alma mater, but it’s worth asking. Fickell obviously played at Ohio State as well and coached there for many years, so he does have connections with Hartline. Hartline would most likely receive a pay raise as Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator, which never hurts.

Brian Hartline is most likely a pipe dream for the Badgers, but is still a great option if they want to make a splash hiring.

Craig Stutzmann

San Jose State’s Craig Stutzmann is a guy who I really like. His “spread n’ shred” offense has done wonders for the Spartans, who ranks 11th in the nation for passing yards per game. Stutzmann’s offensive scheme works well with dynamic running backs, which fits Wisconsin’s traditional play style.

Stutzmann is a Matt LaFleur disciple, as he spent time on LaFleur’s staff in Green Bay. This gives Stutzmann some ties to the state of Wisconsin as well. Stutzmann would receive a massive salary boost if he left for the Badgers as well as more national recognition. If I were Luke Fickell and/or Chris McIntosh, I’d give Craig Stutzmann a long, hard look for an offensive coordinator.

Nate Potter

Boise State’s Nate Potter and Wisconsin is a match made in heaven. Potter played offensive tackle at Boise State under Chris Petersen and is currently their co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.

Boise State has been one of the best teams in the nation this year thanks to their excellent run game led by Ashton Jeanty. Potter has a history as a tight ends, offensive line, and running game coordinator in his career, which all fit Wisconsin’s offensive identity perfectly.

While Ashton Jeanty has been incredible, much of his success is thanks to his offensive line. Potter had a hand in recruiting most of those guys, so he clearly can identify talent. Nate Potter fits the running identity that Fickell and Wisconsin desperately need and would be a fantastic hire by the Badgers.

Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan was a part of Curt Cignetti’s staff at James Madison when the Dukes were undefeated for a large part of the season. He is the current offensive coordinator of the Indiana Hoosiers who are undefeated at 9-0 and are 5th in the nation in total yards per game.

Shanahan is only making $800,000 at Indiana, so it’s safe to say Wisconsin could offer him a pay raise. Shanahan would be a home run hire for the Badgers because of how dynamic his offenses have been and how successful his Hoosiers offense has been in just one year in Bloomington.

Shanahan also brings a good mix of passing and running versatility as a play-caller, fitting the scheme that Luke Fickell is trying to implement at Wisconsin. Since he is already in the Midwest and the Big Ten more specifically, it feels like a no-brainer if he was willing to leave Indiana.