Feb. 21, 2026, 5:04 a.m. CT

Wisconsin football is targeting Ari Confesor to become its next wide receivers coach, according to a report from FootballScoop’s John Brice. 

Following the departure of former wide receivers coach Jordan Reid to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons on Feb. 16, the Badgers are looking to fill another coaching void.

Confesor, who served on the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ coaching staff in 2025, ignited his coaching career in 2009 at the University of Rhode Island. He then spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs (2012-13), College of the Holy Cross (2018-19), the United States Air Force Academy (2019-23) and Wake Forest University (2023-24).

With the Jaguars, Confesor served on a staff overseeing a wide receiver room that featured Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Travis Hunter and Parker Washington. The team clinched the AFC South title before losing to the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Wild Card Round.

During his stint as wide receivers coach at Wake Forest, he mentored pass-catcher Taylor Morin to Honorable Mention All-ACC honors in 2024.

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As a wide receiver at the College of the Holy Cross, Confesor was a two-time All-America selection and is the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,352). In 2019, he was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

Under Reid’s tutelage in 2025, the Badgers’ wide receivers did not generate much productivity. Wide receiver Vinny Anthony led the room with 391 yards and a score through the air, while Trech Kekahuna was the only other Badger wideout to log at least 200 receiving yards.

Eugene Hilton Jr. projects to lead UW’s wide receiver room this fall.

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