Dave Doeren, Kansas University’s linebacker coach and co-defensive coordinator the past four seasons, is leaving KU to take a similar job at Wisconsin, it was announced Friday.

Doeren leaves after helping develop KU’s defense into one of the nation’s best while building the Jayhawks’ foundation through his knack for attracting solid recruits.

During his time in Lawrence, he helped transform Nick Reid from a quarterback into the Big 12 Conference defensive player of the year at linebacker, among other notable accomplishments.

He also served as recruiting coordinator for KU and was in charge of the Kansas City area and the Dallas metroplex. Just this season, he was the lead recruiter in 10 of KU’s 22 current commitments, who are expected to sign their letters of intent next month.

“It was nothing against KU,” Doeren said by phone Friday. “It had nothing to do with displeasure or anything like that. I loved it here.”

KU coach Mark Mangino was unavailable for comment, though he released a short statement, which read: “Dave has done an outstanding job on our coaching staff.

continued from page 1c

He worked hard towards our success both on the field and in recruiting. We certainly wish Dave and (wife) Sara the best.”

Doeren, 34, joins a fresh staff at Wisconsin after longtime coach Barry Alvarez retired following the Badgers’ 10-3 season in 2005. Former Kansas State assistant Bret Bielema is Wisconsin’s new coach, having served two years as defensive coordinator under Alvarez.

Bielema recently established contact with Doeren, an assistant quickly making a name for himself across college football, and the eventual hiring grew from there. Doeren and his family leave today for Madison, a day after Wisconsin announced his hiring.

“When you’re young and trying to get better, it’s always good to surround yourself with the best people to learn from,” said Doeren, who’s striving to someday be a head coach. “I had that at Kansas, and now I look at this as another opportunity to do that (at Wisconsin).”

Doeren, 34, is a Mission native and played at Shawnee Mission Northwest High before a college career at Drake. He came to KU at the same as Mangino in 2002.

With Doeren’s departure, four assistants remain who have coached during the entire Mangino era – offensive coordinator Nick Quartaro, defensive coordinator Bill Young, tight ends coach Brandon Blaney and special-teams coordinator Clint Bowen, who also coached at KU under Terry Allen.