6 impressions after talking with Wisconsin offensive line coach Eric Mateos
Badger Observer spoke with the newest Wisconsin assistant. Here's what stood out.
MADISON, Wis. — It’s been a blur for Eric Mateos since arriving as the newest assistant for the University of Wisconsin football program.
So much so he recently had to ask what day it was.
Mateos heard he wouldn’t be retained by new Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield two weeks ago and was officially let go from the SEC program Dec. 8. Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes called him that same day, according to Mateos, and then he was announced as the Badgers new offensive line coach on Dec. 11.
It’s been nonstop ever since.
“I went and looked at open houses for about three hours on Sunday, and that's the only time I felt like a normal human being in the last week,” Mateos said.
Badger Observer and a group of reporters sat down with Mateos inside Wisconsin’s offensive line room Thursday for a 33-minute, on-record conversation. Here are some impressions from the introductory chat.
Mateos has confidence to turn things around
The quote that arguably stands out the most from Mateos came from a question asking — with him now being the third offensive line coach in what will be four seasons during coach Luke Fickell’s time at Wisconsin, and five in the last six seasons for the program — why Mateos thinks it’ll work.
“Because I’ve never failed,” Mateos said. “That might sound conceited, but I mean, I did it at BYU. They hadn’t had an O-lineman drafted in 16 years when I got hired there, and two of those boys from that O-line got drafted. When we went to Baylor, Baylor was the worst O-line in the Big 12 in 202. They were 2-7 and rushed for 80 yards a game, and my first year, we ran for 220, and won the Sugar Bowl and won the Big 12.
“And then at Arkansas, Arkansas was the worst O-line in the SEC. And this past season, you can make the argument between us and Texas A&M, we were probably the best O-line in the SEC. I haven’t failed yet, so I guess that’s maybe some cockiness, but I think you have to have that in this game. That’s why I think it’s going to work.”
