Wisconsin fires offensive line coach after Oregon State loss

Through two games this season, it's hard being an assistant coach.

Wisconsin confirmed that offensive line coach Mike Markuson was out following the Badgers' 10-7 loss to Oregon State last week.

During the game, the Badgers managed just 35 net rushing yards on 23 attempts and quarterback Danny O'Brien was sacked three times.

Markuson, who was hired in the offseason, coached offensive lines at Arkansas and Mississippi for 14 years and coached six All-Americans since 2003, including Michael Oher, who was made famous in the movie "The Blindside."

But that success hasn't translated to the Big Ten, and Wisconsin's offensive line, which was one of its strong suits a year ago, has been relatively average. And running back Montee Ball, a Heisman finalist a year ago, has had little space to work his magic.

Bart Miller, who works as the quality control coach on offense and helps with the offensive line, will take over the line full time.

[Junior college linebacker says he was kicked off team due to sexual orientation]

Markuson isn't the first assistant coach to find himself unemployed early in the season. Last week, Houston offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt "resigned" after the Cougars were held to 13 points in their season opener against Texas State.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said he understood the ramifications of firing a coach so early in the season.

"I am a person that realizes when I hire and when I relieve people of opportunities, it affects them forever," Bielema said.

"Panic is for the outside world. Reality is what I live with."

- - -
"Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. And follow Dr. Saturday at its new home on Twitter: @YahooDrSaturday

College football video from Yahoo! Sports:

Other popular content on the Yahoo! network:
• Rangers' reliever loses bet, wears full Tony Romo jersey to ballpark
• Justin Bieber gets contract offer from ECHL hockey franchise
• The Kings' Tyreke Evans still hopes to live up to his potential
• Y! News: Navy SEAL could face punishment over bin Laden book