Wisconsin Badgers

E.J. Whitlow joined the Badgers’ staff as defensive line coach in February 2024. Whitlow arrived in Madison after two seasons at Air Force and a total of 14 seasons in college football coaching.

In Whitlow's first year at Wisconsin, he helped transfer Elijah Hills flourish. Hills led the Badgers with 3.0 sacks and 5.5 TFLs. 
 
In 2023 at Air Force as the Falcons’ defensive line coach, Whitlow helped manage a defense that ranked No. 7 nationally in rushing defense (90.9) and No. 20 in passing defense (186.8). The Air Force defense totaled 30 sacks for just the second time since 2017. By the end of Whitlow’s tenure, the Falcons’ defense had allowed 21 points or fewer in 15 of the last 20 games.
 
In 2022, his first season leading the defensive line at Air Force, Whitlow helped the Falcons become the No. 1 defense in the country (254.5 yards per game). Whitlow’s defensive line helped hold opponents to 95.3 rushing yards per game, the sixth-fewest in college football.
 
Prior to his two-year stint at Air Force, Whitlow spent four years at Miami University (Ohio) from 2018-21. He developed several All-MAC performers and the RedHawks claimed the MAC Championship in 2019. In the conference championship season, Miami recorded 38 sacks, 28 of those coming from the defensive line.
 
At Miami, Whitlow helped develop Dominique Robinson, a fifth-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2022, and Doug Costin, a second team All-MAC performer who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.
 
From 2014-17, Whitlow coached the defensive line at Grand Valley State under then-head coach Matt Mitchell, who now coaches the Badgers’ outside linebackers.  Under Whitlow, GVSU’s defensive line turned into one of the top defensive lines in the country annually. He tutored nine All-GLIAC honorees in four years, watching the Lakers record 144 sacks in that span.
 
In 2017, Whitlow’s defensive line had three players earn all-conference honors, including a pair of first team award winners. As a team, the Lakers allowed just 13.0 points per game, and due to the pass rush, gave up just four touchdown passes all season.
 
In 2016, the Lakers limited opponents to 134.3 rushing yards per game, recording 40 quarterback sacks and 96 tackles for loss. In 2015, Whitlow coached Matt Judon (New England Patriot), who went on to win the Gene Upshaw Award, given to the nation’s top interior lineman. With Judon’s help, GVSU would lead the nation in sacks with 49.
 
Prior to joining Grand Valley State, Whitlow spent four years at Notre Dame College (Ohio) and was a part of the program from its beginning as the Falcons initial season playing football was in 2010. Whitlow was a graduate assistant in 2010 and 2011 but became the full-time defensive line coach in 2012.
 
Whitlow played collegiately at Findlay from 2006-10, where he was twice an All-GLIAC performer as a defensive tackle and was named the Oilers’ 2009 Team MVP. He recorded 44 total tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss en route to earning All-GLIAC honors as a junior, followed by senior season in which he tallied career-highs in total tackles (60) and tackles for loss with six and was named First Team All-GLIAC and team MVP.
 
Whitlow and his wife, Kierre, are the parents of Emily and Emmanuel II.
 
E.J. Whitlow Profile
Birthplace: Detroit, Mich.
High School:
College: Findlay, 2010
Family: Wife – Kierre, parents of Emily and Emmanuel II
 
Coaching Experience
2010-11 Notre Dame College (Graduate Assistant)
2012-13 Notre Dame College (Defensive Line)
2014-17 Grand Valley State (Defensive Line)
2018-21 Miami (Ohio) (Defensive Line)
2022-23 Air Force (Defensive Line)
2024-pres. Wisconsin (Defensive Line)
 
Playing Experience
2006-10 Findlay (Defensive Tackle)