Mike Tressel joined the Wisconsin staff on Jan. 3, 2023 as defensive coordinator, joining head coach Luke Fickell in his transition from Cincinnati. Tressel started his second stint at the University of Cincinnati in January 2021 as the Bearcats defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. In his first season back at UC, Tressel elevated the standards set on the defensive side of the ball the past several seasons as Cincinnati secured its first-ever 13-0 start, won the American Athletic Conference Championship and advanced to the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Cotton Bowl. Tressel has led The Bearcats’ defense to great success, ranking fifth nationally in scoring defense (16.5) and No. 10 in total defense (318.4). The Bearcats also allowed only 4.5 yards per play to opponents, which was the fourth fewest in the nation. Cincinnati had the nation’s best pass defense, finishing No. 1 in the country in pass efficiency defense (103.37), No. 2 in passing yards allowed (169.2), No. 3 in interceptions (9) and No. 4 in opponent completion% (54.0). Cincinnati also had 39 sacks, which ranked No. 2 in the AAC and No. 18 in the country.

Under Tressel’s leadership, six Bearcats on the defensive side of the ball were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft – cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (No. 4, New York Jets), safety Bryan Cook (No. 62, Kansas City Chiefs), defensive end Myjai Sanders (No. 100, Arizona Cardinals), linebacker Darrian Beavers (No. 182, New York Giants), cornerback Coby Bryant (No. 198, Seattle Seahawks) and defensive lineman Curtis Brooks (No. 216, Indianapolis Colts). Senior cornerback Coby Bryant was named the Jim Thorpe Award winner, while junior cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner earned unanimous AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Senior linebacker Darrian Beavers was one of six finalists for the Butkus Award – given to the nation’s top linebacker.

Tressel, who previously coached at UC from 2004-06 as special teams coordinator/linebackers coach, returned to the Clifton Heights campus after spending 14 seasons at Michigan State. During his time at MSU, Tressel coached 20 players who earned 35 All-Big Ten Conference honors along with eight All-Americans and two major award winners. From 2007-19, the Spartans won Big Ten Conference Championships three times (2010, 2013, 2015) and played in 12 bowl games, including qualifying for the 2015 College Football Playoff. He was a nominee for the Broyles Award IN 2018, which honors the nation’s top assistant coach. Known for constructing some of the best defenses in the nation, Tressel helped coach the Spartans to final FBS Top 10 rankings in total and rushing defense on six occasions. MSU also ranked among college football’s top 10 in scoring defense four times and was the FBS leader in rushing defense in 2014 and 2018.