VERMILLION, S.D. -- Jake Sprague, a former standout defensive lineman at the University of Wisconsin, has been named the defensive line coach at The University of South Dakota. Head Coach Ed Meierkort made the announcement today that Sprague would join the USD staff after spending the past three seasons with the Badger staff.

For the last two seasons Sprague was a defensive graduate assistant at UW, working with the defensive line. Prior to working with the defensive line he spent a season serving as a quality control assistant. In the three seasons he worked with the Badgers the team played in three bowl games, winning two. In 2006 they defeated Auburn 24-10 at the Capitol One Bowl and then in 2007 they picked up a 17-14 win over Arkansas, also in the Capitol One Bowl.

"Jake's Division I playing experience, his NFL playing experience and his Division I coaching experience will provide a different prospective to our program," said Meierkort. "Our last three hires all have Division I experience, either playing or coaching. Coach Strop played at Wisconsin, coach Hood played at Kansas and now coach Sprague who played and coached at Wisconsin. Jake will provide a great recruiting base for our program. He played for Oak Creek High School (Wis.), which produces outstanding DI talent."

In his four-year playing career at Wisconsin, Sprague was a member of two Big Ten champion teams and two Rose Bowl Champion teams. In addition, the Badgers also won the Sun Bowl and Alamo Bowl while Sprague was member of the team. He was named team captain for the 2002 season and that year was named All-Big Ten honorable mention as well as the WFCA Wisconsin Division I Player of the Year. Following his collegiate career, Sprague signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans and later the New York Giants, who allocated him to NFL Europe.

Sprague is a graduate from Wisconsin with a bachelor's degree in history.