Ron Lee, defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at San Jose State the past two seasons, has been named defensive backs coach at Wisconsin, Badger head coach Barry Alvarez announced.

Lee will begin his new post immediately.

“I’m excited that Ron is joining our staff,” Alvarez said. “I saw him coach first-hand several years ago during a visit to Colorado State and he impressed me then. He has a solid background and knowledge of the game. We’re fortunate he will be joining us.”

The Spartans ranked No. 3 nationally in passes intercepted (23) in 2002 and No. 4 nationally in turnovers gained (38). Wisconsin was tied for fourth (22) and 12th (35), respectively, in those two categories last season. Spartans’ free safety Gerald Jones finished third in the nation with eight interceptions in 2002. San Jose State was the only school in the nation with three players ranked among the top 100 nationally in interceptions this past season. Wisconsin strong safety Jim Leonhard led the nation in interceptions with a Big Ten record-tying 11.

Lee went to San Jose State after serving as defensive backs coach at Colorado State from 1993-2000. During that time, Lee coached the 1995 Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s best defensive back) winner (Greg Myers). Colorado State led the nation in turnover margin in 1997.

Lee was defensive backs coach at Idaho in 1992, defensive backs coach/special teams coordinator at Portland State in 1991 and served as a graduate assistant coach at Miami (Fla.) from 1989-90.

Lee has ample experience with winning football programs. In addition to Miami’s national title in 1989, he was a part of five conference titles at Colorado State, one at Idaho and one at Portland State. Lee has coached in seven bowl games (two at Miami and five at Colorado State) as well as the NCAA Division II playoffs (Portland State was a 1991 semifinalist). In addition, he played for Washington State’s 1988 Eagle Aloha Bowl winner.

Lee, a native of Tulare, Calif., is a 1989 graduate of Washington State, where he was a four-year letterman (1985-88) as a defensive back for the Cougars. He led the Pac-10 in fumbles forced in 1986. Lee earned a B.A. in child and family studies from Washington State in 1989. He is married (Eileen) and has five children (Aubree, 11; Jamison, 10; Kayla, 9; Christopher, 4; and Madison, 1).

-compiled from staff reports