Wisconsin Football: Bret Bielema and Badgers Should Take Hard Look at Warhawks

Sometimes the best solution is the most obvious one.

When it comes to the continuing assistant and coordinator search at Wisconsin, that solution may only be a 45-minute drive away. 

As Bret Bielema and the University of Wisconsin pore over resumes to fill recent coaching vacancies, the program should not overlook the winning ways of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. While Madison represents the mothership of the UW system, Whitewater is a well-respected school in the state, both academically and athletically.

In fact, the Division III Whitewater Warhawks have won the national championship three times in a row and four times in the last five attempts. Regardless of what level a team plays on, three consecutive titles is a tough feat, and head coach Lance Leipold deserves some major credit—and a major look from the Badgers. 

Leipold played quarterback at Whitewater in the mid-1980s and worked as a graduate assistant coach for Barry Alvarez from '91 -'93. During that stint, he worked with the offense and continued on to fill multiple roles on the offensive side of the ball leading up to his current position. This year's Warhawk squad averaged 420.5 yards per game. 

Paul Chryst and company left a gaping void in the Wisconsin offensive staff, a void that could be filled by a proven winner like Leipold. His combined 72-3 record will get him noticed and  a mantle full of "Coach of the Year" awards should get him a few phone calls from other major universities.

For Leipold doubters, success is not always determined by pedigree. Former Arkansas, Tulsa and Auburn offensive guru and current Arkansas State head coach Guz Malzahn was plucked from the high school coaching ranks and now wears a national championship ring. 

The Badgers should make Leipold an offer he can't refuse, or at the very least, can't ignore.