MADISON (WKOW)-- Mike Markuson is no longer the offensive line coach for the University of Wisconsin football team, Bret Bielema announced Monday.
Bielema said it was not an issue of Markuson's personality and also said it was not a "knee-jerk reaction."
"It's something we kind of talked about and processed through. It wasn't an overnight thing. I can't say there was a deadline on when it happened; I just felt Saturday night, flying home on the plane, long plane ride... I knew the direction I needed to go, and did something hopefully we're going to be able to capitalize on," Bielema said.
Markuson was only on staff for two games.
The Badgers' problems at offensive line were apparent in the team's loss to Oregon State on Saturday, when they had issues in the running game and in pass protection.
Markuson came to UW after coaching offensive lines in the Southeastern Conference for 14 years. He was called in to replace Bob Bostad, who was regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football.
Bart Miller, who works as the quality control coach on offense, will take over the duties as offensive line coach. Miller played under Bostad and is familiar with the program he ran at Wisconsin.
Now, Bielema hopes Miller can be a bridge between what the Badger line learned under Bostad and what current offensive coordinator Matt Canada has in mind this year.
"[I] just felt that as a head coach I've got to make some decisions that aren't going to be very popular and from the outside world looking in may not make the most sense," Bielema said. "But I know how to win games. I know how to win championships. And the decision I made was one I'm going to stick with."
