NC State head coach Dave Doeren could be a candidate for Wisconsin’s vacant head coaching job at the end of the season.

Wisconsin fired head coach Paul Chryst following Saturday’s 34-10 loss to Illinois. Chryst was with Wisconsin for the last 7 seasons. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard was named the interim coach. Leonhard could be a candidate for the job since he played football at Wisconsin and has been on the coaching staff since 2016.

If Wisconsin decides to look outside of the program for its next head coach, Doeren could be an option. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman listed several replacements for Chryst

. He explained why Doeren is a fit for Wisconsin.

“Dave Doeren also has Badgers ties from his days as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin from 2006 to 2010. He did well in the MAC at Northern Illinois and has done very well at NC State, as the Wolfpack are going strong,” Feldman said. “Would he leave there for Madison if pursued? Maybe, but we’re not so positive of that.”

This was not the first time Doeren’s name ha

s come up as a possible candidate for an open job. Doeren turned around NC State and could decide to remain with the Wolfpack. He was Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator for 5 seasons before he became a head coach at Northern Illinois in 2011.

Doeren would be a big name for Wisconsin to pursue for this opening. For the time being, NC State is at the top of Doeren’s mind as he will need to get his program ready for a Week 6 matchup vs. Florida State on Saturday.