The University of Wisconsin's hiring of new outside linebackers coach Bobby April III was one that began to take shape more than a year ago.
April, having just been part of Rex Ryan's staff that was let go by the Buffalo Bills following the 2016 season, applied for the Badgers' inside linebackers position vacated by now-Cal coach Justin Wilcox. April and recently promoted UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard had narrowly missed teaming up on multiple occasions during Leonhard's playing career. April served as an assistant coach for both the New York Jets (2013-14) and Bills (2015-16) within two years of Leonhard's departure from those teams.