Wisconsin is promoting strength coach Ross Kolodziej to defensive line coach, the Badgers announced on Wednesday evening.

Here’s the announcement:

Kolodziej also played at Wisconsin, starting 45 games for Barry Alvarez in the late 1990s. From there, he enjoyed a six-year career in the NFL that spanned 54 games for the Giants, Cardinals and Vikings.

More recently, he’s spent the last six years as Wisconsin’s strength coach.

“More than anything I’m excited to get started,” Kolodziej said in a statement. “What I do on a day-to-day basis will be different, but it won’t be a change in terms of what we’re trying to accomplish. I’m excited for the chance to continue impacting our program and helping our guys become the best they can be.”

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst also spoke highly of Kolodziej’s talent and qualifications.

“I’m excited for Ross and for our team that he will have the opportunity to coach our defensive line,” Chryst said in a statement. “He has played the position at the highest level and has tremendous knowledge of the position. I’m confident in his abilities as a coach and have witnessed that first-hand through all the years we have been together.

“Our players who have worked with Ross, both present players and guys that have gone through the program, are fired up for him. I know our current guys in the D-line room are looking forward to getting to work with him even more closely now.”

Inoke Breckterfield previously held this job. He is now the defensive line coach at Vanderbilt.