Wisconsin hires former USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox

Former USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has been named the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, Badgers Coach Paul Chryst announced Thursday.

“During my many conversations with numerous football people that I trusted, one name kept surfacing, Justin Wilcox,” Chryst said in a statement released by the school. “I am very happy that we were able to get a quality coach like Justin to join our staff. I think he’s a great fit for Wisconsin and this program is a great fit for him.

“His addition makes us better. He has tremendous experience at some big-time schools and has coached some really good players. He does a great job putting his players in the best situations so they can be successful.”

USC Coach Clay Helton fired Wilcox and three other assistants after a 41-22 loss to Stanford in the Pac-12 Conference title game in December.

USC finished the season with an 8-6 record, including a 23-21 loss to Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl, in which Wilcox did not coach.

Wilcox was hired at USC by former coach Steve Sarkisian after he spent two seasons coaching with Sarkisian at Washington.

Prior to Washington, Wilcox was the defensive coordinator at Tennessee and Boise State for a combined six seasons.