Shortly after Wisconsin announced its 2014 recruiting class, talk surfaced that one of Gary Andersen‘s assistants was likely leaving for the professional ranks. A short time later, that talk became a reality.
First reported by CoachingSearch.com, Andersen confirmed later Wednesday that running backs coach Thomas Hammock was leaving for a job in the NFL. Specifically, Hammock will take the same position with the Baltimore Ravens.
Based on Andersen’s words, it was a tough decision but one that Hammock felt was in the best interests of both his career and his family. From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:“He has meant a lot to Wisconsin,” Andersen said. “And let me just say this: Wisconsin means a lot to Thomas Hammock and it always will. ...
“This is something that Thomas has wanted for a long time. Some people want to coach professional football.
“It has been a driving force of his for quite a few years and it is where he sees the best spot for him and his family, which I have the utmost respect for, the decision that he has to make.
“It all comes with a little bit of difficulty, but we’ll move on. We’ll be just fine. And he’ll move on, and he’ll be just fine.”
During his three seasons with the Badgers, the 32-year-old Hammock has overseen a unit that produced four 1,000-yard seasons from three different players, including two in 2013. The Journal-Sentinel wrote that “Hammock worked with the UW running backs Wednesday morning so he could tell them personally he was leaving.”
(Photo credit: Wisconsin athletics)