Wisconsin graduate assistant Al Johnson will be pursuing a new venture after the Badgers’ conclude their season against Miami in the Orange Bowl.

Tuesday, it was announced that Johnson was named the new head coach at East Central University, an NCAA Division II program located in Ada, Oklahoma. This will be the first head coaching job for the former Badger.

“I am excited to present Al Johnson to Tiger Nation as our next head football coach,” said Dr. Jeff Williams, athletic director at East Central University according to KXII-TV. “Al has been uniquely prepared for this opportunity and he made an immediate and unforgettable impression that never faded. I anticipate that will be the same for our players, campus, community and alumni. He brings an infectious passion for leading and developing student-athletes, which becomes evident to everyone he meets.”

Johnson was a former offensive lineman for the Badgers from 2000-2002 and went on to have a seven-year career in the NFL. Before becoming a graduate assistant at Wisconsin, he had stops at the high school and Division III level. He’s been a graduate assistant at Wisconsin for the last two seasons.

“I am very excited and honored to be the next East Central University head football coach,” Johnson said.

Johnson will not be introduced as head coach until after Wisconsin plays its Orange Bowl game against Miami on Dec. 30.