Mike Tressel

Biography

Mike Tressel enters his fourth year commanding the Badgers' defense in 2026. Tressel's unit ranked 15th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten in rushing defense, allowing only 105.3 yards per game. The Badgers totaled 2.67 sacks per game, the 20th-highest clip in the nation and third-highest in the Big Ten. Wisconsin ranked 24th nationally in total defense allowing 323.5 yards per game, the highest UW has ranked in a season since 2022 (303.5 - 11th). Tressel fostered the success of true freshman linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano late in the 2025 season. Posa and Catalano combined for 93 tackles after their insertion into the starting lineup (Oct. 25), the most for any FBS freshman defensive tandem. Posa was named an FWAA Freshman All-American. In 2024, Tressel's Badger defense ranked 14th nationally in passing defense (177.7). That was the lowest clip for a Tressel defense since Cincinnati allowed only 169.2 yards per game in 2021, a season that saw Cincinnati post a perfect regular season record and become the first Group of 5 program to reach the CFP Semifinals. Tressel worked closely with the Badger inside linebackers in 2024, mentoring LB Christian Alliegro to 66 total tackles, the second most of any Badger. Alliegro tallied 45 tackles in November, the second-most among Big Ten linebackers. In 2023 under Tressel, the Wisconsin defense assembled a handful of strong individual performances. Junior safety Hunter Wohler earned AP All-Big Ten honors and totaled 120 tac