The Wisconsin Badgers are taking a step back into the past to shape their offensive future, and it’s bringing a surge of excitement throughout the program. Offensive lineman Joe Brunner, one of the anchors on the team, recently spoke about the dramatic shift under new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. According to Brunner, the Badgers are going back to their roots — and players couldn’t be happier.
Brunner, who grew up in Wisconsin, recognizes the classic style being reintroduced. In a recent interview on Badger Connect, he expressed how familiar and exciting this new direction feels. “It’s like we’re reliving the glory days,” Brunner said. “This is the kind of football I grew up watching — tough, physical, pro-style ball. It brings flashbacks to the 2010 and 2011 teams.”
Those particular seasons, of course, are etched into the memory of every loyal Badger fan. Under head coach Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, Wisconsin dominated opponents with power football, going to back-to-back Rose Bowls after finishing both regular seasons with 11 wins. While Brunner made it clear that he’s not predicting that level of success right away for the 2025 team, he does believe that the philosophy behind the offense is exactly what the program needs to find its footing again.
Jeff Grimes, who joined the coaching staff in 2025, is revamping the Badgers’ offensive approach after the more modern, spread-oriented system under former coordinator Phil Longo. Grimes brings with him a blueprint that emphasizes a hard-nosed, physical brand of football, centered around downhill running, play-action passing, and dominance in the trenches. That shift is being welcomed by a Wisconsin locker room that seems eager to return to a formula that once made the program a Big Ten powerhouse.
Brunner noted that the offense Grimes is building focuses on being tough, disciplined, and aggressive — trademarks of past Wisconsin teams. “It’s still a pro-style scheme, but it’s a lot more physical,” he said. “We’re lining up under center, getting after it in the run game, and really taking pride in every yard we earn.”
It’s a welcome change for players like Brunner, who thrive in physical matchups. For years, Wisconsin built its identity on producing elite offensive linemen, standout running backs, and a style of play that wore defenses down over four quarters. That approach helped launch careers for players like Montee Ball, John Clay, and even NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, who guided the team during its 2011 Rose Bowl run. Though the personnel has changed, the system aims to evoke that same kind of relentless energy and execution.
Head coach Luke Fickell, now in his second year leading the Badgers, has given Grimes the freedom to overhaul the offense. Fickell came in with a reputation for building tough, disciplined teams and sees this as a natural fit for the program’s identity. While the 2024 season showed flashes of potential, there were also inconsistencies on offense, particularly in adapting to Longo’s more modern scheme.
Now, with Grimes calling the plays, there’s a noticeable sense of direction. Brunner and his teammates say practices have been more focused, and there’s a renewed sense of purpose. “You can tell guys are buying in,” he said. “There’s a level of excitement again. This is what Wisconsin football should feel like.”
While much of the team’s success will ultimately come down to execution on the field, there’s optimism about the talent in place. The Badgers are hoping for big years from a young group of running backs, who are now expected to carry a bigger load in this new system. Fickell and Grimes are also placing faith in a transfer quarterback, who brings both experience and mobility to the offense. Though he may not be Russell Wilson, the coaching staff believes he can lead the team effectively, especially with a strong run game supporting him.
The hope is that returning to a more physical brand of football will also benefit the defense, as it keeps them off the field longer and controls the pace of the game. In the Big Ten, where weather and physicality often dictate outcomes, that edge could prove crucial.
Brunner, a vocal leader among the linemen, sees the renewed emphasis on physical play as a rallying point. He said the offensive line room is embracing the challenge of getting back to the standard set by legendary Badgers units of the past. “There’s a lot of pride here,” he said. “You think about guys like Joe Thomas, Travis Frederick, Kevin Zeitler — we want to live up to that legacy. And with this offense, we’re getting the chance to do that again.”
For fans, this return to a more traditional approach is likely to be a welcome sight. After years of experimentation and stylistic shifts, the program appears to be embracing what made it special in the first place: physical dominance, powerful run games, and disciplined play.
But Grimes’ offense isn’t stuck in the past. While the scheme pays homage to earlier eras, it also incorporates modern wrinkles — pre-snap motion, misdirection, and balance between run and pass — aimed at keeping defenses off balance. It’s a hybrid of old-school toughness and present-day creativity, and the players are already responding well.
In interviews and press conferences, Fickell has praised Brunner’s leadership and noted that his enthusiasm for the new system has been contagious. Brunner is considered one of the program’s core leaders and a player who sets the tone on and off the field.
“This team is hungry,” Brunner concluded. “We’ve been close, but now we’re locking in on the details. We know what Wisconsin football looks like at its best — and that’s what we’re chasing.”
As the Badgers prepare for the 2025 campaign, there’s a sense that the program has rediscovered its compass. With Jeff Grimes orchestrating the offense and veterans like Joe Brunner embracing the philosophy, Wisconsin is banking on a return to physical, dominant football to lift the team back into national relevance. Whether it translates into wins and championship contention remains to be seen — but the foundation is being laid, one physical snap at a time.
