University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema wanted to make a decision about his coaching staff after wrapping up his latest recruiting class.

So, Bielema made the announcement Wednesday that DelVaughn Alexander would remain as the wide receivers coach for next season. Alexander replaced Henry Mason on an interim basis last season. Mason, who suffered a spinal-cord injury after a fall in his home last summer, continues to make progress in his recovery but is not yet ready to return to work.

"I've had several conversations with Henry Mason," Bielema said. "What Henry's opted to do is continue to stay on the path he's on. He's done a great job of rehabbing and every day he's been better.

"It's just been a process that is not quite at the point where he can (return to work). As a head coach, I needed to make some decisions."

Alexander's contract expires Feb. 19 and Bielema is in the process of extending that for next season.

"The first thing you think about is getting ready for the next season," Alexander said. "Between that and my family, those are the most important things on my mind."

Alexander earned praise last season for his work with the team's young receivers after injuries to seniors Paul Hubbard and Luke Swan.

"I'm excited because I know where they are and what they need to do to get better for the fall," Alexander said. "I can't wait to work with all those little things every day."

Bielema said he expects to add a defensive coach by Friday, which would complete his staff.

Doeren ready

Dave Doeren was only 25 years old when he got his first chance to be a defensive coordiantor in 1997 at Drake, where he played and started his coaching career. He spent one year in the job before leaving to be a graduate assistant at Southern California.

"I know it's a different level but this won't be the first time I've called a defense or organized a defense," said Doeren, 36. "Obviously, I was young and cocky and thought I was ready. We were actually very good that year. It was fun."

Doeren has paid his dues since, the last three years as co-defensive coordinator, including the 2005 season at Kansas before coming to UW. He was promoted to defensive coordinator last month when Bielema elected not to bring back Mike Hankwitz.

"Having been the co-coordinator now for three years ... I'm more than ready to take on that role and very excited about it," Doeren said.

"The good thing for me, I was under Bill Young (at Kansas), who is a great guy to learn from and I was under Mike, who's a great guy to learn from. Both of them were awesome as far as letting me give input and talk and learn. I've had a great situation that way."

McCray connected

One of the things Bielema liked about defensive line coach Randall McCray when he was at Toledo was his recruiting experience in Illinois. Those connections paid off in a big way this year.

After landing one player from Illinois a year ago, McCray signed four this year: running back Erik Smith (Bolingbrook); fullback Dex Jones (Montini Catholic); linebacker Leonard Hubbard (Springfield Sacred Heart); and defensive tackle Dan Moore (Joliet Junior College).

"During coach (Barry) Alvarez's time, that was an important area in recruiting, " Bielema said. "It began to fade there a little bit at the end."

Bielema was especially excited to get players out of Bolingbrook and Sacred Heart, two top programs.

"The kids down there don't know, believe it or not, that Wisconsin is two hours from downtown (Chicago)," McCray said. "They don't have a clue.

"Getting them to make that trip up here, seeing how close it is, to a kid in the North Suburbs, we're as close to them as Illinois (Champaign). When we show them those types of things, they realize, This may be a place for me.' ''

A real steal

Anybody worried the Badgers were reaching for lightly recruited cornerback Antonio Fenelus, from Boca Raton, Fla., should listen to defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks. Fenelus took the spot after wide receiver Wes Kemp de-committed and ended up signing with Missouri.

"Anthony was kind of a steal," Cooks said. "We went down to an all-star game and saw him practice. I believe he had just one offer. Put on his tape and he was just phenomenal. I couldn't believe no one had really stepped up their game with this kid, so I'm very excited about him."