The Badgers (11-1) play TCU (12-0) on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif. TCU's offense is as prolific as Wisconsin's. Both teams average 43.3 points, fourth in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
On his lunch break and at night Doeren is calling Northern Illinois recruits and checking in with his new staff. He has been moonlighting since being named Northern Illinois' head coach Dec. 13. He's replacing Jerry Kill, who left NIU for Minnesota.
Pulling double duty is not as tough as it looks, Doeren said this week.
"I'm no busier than any other (coach)," he said. "When you're in a bowl game, you have a lot going on no matter what. You're still recruiting. I used to be recruiting for Wisconsin. That slice of the pie has been replaced for me by recruiting for Northern Illinois."
Doeren hopes his toughest days are behind him. He said his most challenging job was as a graduate assistant for Drake, his alma mater, in 1995 and '96. It was a 10-month job, and for two months he made ends meet by coaching camps at Nebraska and Oklahoma, bartending and working as a cook. He did some weed-whacking at the school's physical plant to earn a few extra bucks.
"Working three jobs and trying to improve yourself as a professional is difficult," Doeren said.
During the season he drove the team bus and watered practice fields in addition to actual football duties that included working with multiple position groups. That's life at a school that doesn't give out football scholarships.
"It was great training," Doeren said. "It gave me background in all you do. When you moved on to another job, it was easy."
In 1997 Doeren was promoted to defensive coordinator at Drake, but after a year he took a step back to become a graduate assistant at Southern California. He thought it was necessary to break into big-time football.
From USC he went to Montana as an assistant for two seasons. Montana won the Football Championship Subdivision title in 2001. Then it was on to Kansas in 2002 and Wisconsin in 2006.
"It's been a long, fun process," said Doeren, who coached a high school team before working at Drake. "I didn't miss a step."
His climb impressed NIU officials. "He knows what it's like, as we affectionately say, 'to ride the bus,' " NIU athletics director Jeff Compher said. "We're not taking chartered flights to games. We eat a little bit more chicken than steak. He's not afraid of that. He embraces that."
Doeren on Jan. 4 will be in his NIU office in DeKalb. He will retain NIU assistant Tom Matukewicz, who coached the team last weekend in its 40-17 pounding of Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. "They were phenomenal," Doeren said.
NIU finished 11-3 in one of its best seasons and should return many experienced players.
Doeren's transition is being eased by his foresight. Before he got the NIU job, he was calling potential assistants, asking if they were interested and ready.
"I've been thinking about this for three years, and it's been a goal for 16," Doeren said.
That makes any juggling act a little easier.
Playing in the Humanitarian Bowl without head coach Jerry Kill (hired at Minnesota) was no problem for Northern Illinois, which rolled past Fresno State 40-17. Whether that's an omen or an anomaly will be clear as other bowl teams deal with staff upheaval. USA TODAY's Steve Berkowitz looks at some teams who have lost coaches:
Arizona (Alamo, Dec. 29): Defensive line coach Mike Tuiasosopo and defensive coordinator Greg Brown resigned early last week to become assistants at Colorado.
Florida (Gator, Jan. 1): Head coach Urban Meyer resigned Dec. 8 but is coaching through the bowl. Defensive line coach Dan McCarney was named North Texas' head coach Nov. 30.
Kentucky (BBVA Compass, Jan. 8): Defensive backs coach Chris Thurmond and running backs coach Larry Brinson were fired Dec. 7. Defensive coordinator Steve Brown now shares the title with Rick Minter, who was hired Dec. 16 and placed in charge of calling the defenses.
Maryland (Military, Dec. 29): Head coach Ralph Friedgen was fired Monday; he will remain through the bowl. Offensive coordinator James Franklin resigned Dec. 17 to become Vanderbilt's head coach. Running backs coach John Donovan and special-teams coach Charles Bankins are planning to join Franklin's staff at Vanderbilt; it is unclear whether they will remain through the bowl.
Miami, Fla. (Sun, Dec. 31): The school fired head coach Randy Shannon on Nov. 28 and hired Al Golden on Dec. 12. Golden hired assistants Mark D'Onofrio, Jethro Franklin and Paul Williams from his Temple staff Dec. 16. Under an NCAA waiver, they can recruit immediately for Miami, but they can't coach until after the bowl. Shannon assistants Rick Petri, Wesley McGriff and John Lovett were required to cease recruiting, but they will coach through the bowl, after which they will not be retained. Golden retained Shannon assistants Michael Barrow, Aubrey Hill and Jeff Stoutland on Dec. 19.
Miami, Ohio (GoDaddy.com, Jan. 6): Head coach Mike Haywood resigned Dec. 16 to become Pittsburgh's head coach; defensive backs coach Lance Guidry was named interim head coach for the bowl.
Ohio State (Sugar, Jan. 4): Wide receivers coach Darrell Hazell was named Kent State's head coach Dec. 20; he plans to remain through the bowl.
Oklahoma (Fiesta, Jan. 1): Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was named Indiana's head coach Dec. 6 but will remain on staff through the bowl as tight ends and fullbacks coach.
Oklahoma State (Alamo, Dec. 29): Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen was named West Virginia's offensive coordinator and successor to head coach Bill Stewart on Dec. 15; he is remaining through the bowl.
Pittsburgh (BBVA Compass, Jan. 8): Head coach Dave Wannstedt resigned under pressure Dec. 7. Haywood, his successor, says he won't retain any Wannstedt assistants. It remains unclear who will coach in the bowl game. Wannstedt says he'll decide whether to coach by Jan. 2. Assistants remain in place except secondary coach Jeff Hafley, who has joined Rutgers' staff.
West Virginia (Champs Sports, Dec. 28): Offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen will depart after the bowl.
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