Thomas Hammock served as Minnesota's co-offensive coordinator on Tim Brewster's staff last year. In order to pursue a similar job, Hammock has decided to leave the Gophers.

Hammock, running backs coach at Minnesota since 2007 and the only assistant coach retained after Brewster's firing, has been hired at Wisconsin after realizing, according to new Gophers football coach Jerry Kill, that the stability of Kill's staff means he likely would not have a chance to assume that role again anytime soon.

"It had to do with advancement in his career," Kill said in a statement released by the university that also announced the promotion of Brian Anderson to fill Hammock's role with the running backs. "Thomas felt the stability of our coordinator situation meant that the opportunity to advance from running backs coach to offensive coordinator would come quicker at Wisconsin."

"Thomas is a coach I have watched grow," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said of Hammock, who was a graduate assistant at Wisconsin from 2003-04. "I first met Thomas when I was the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin eight years ago, and I have been impressed with his coaching ability and work ethic ever since."

Hammock had a reputation as a strong recruiter, and took over the offensive coordinator role by himself when Jeff Horton was promoted to head coach after Brewster's firing.

• Another ex-Brewster assistant took a new position this week. John Butler, who handled linebackers and special teams for the Gophers for four years, accepted the special-teams coordinator job with South Carolina.

PHIL MILLER

Etc. • The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources might cut the number of moose hunting permits in half for this fall's moose season. That follows the latest moose population survey, which shows moose numbers continuing to decline in northeast Minnesota. However, Ed Boggess, DNR fish and wildlife section chief, said Wednesday that no decision had been made yet.

• Michigan took the early lead after Wednesday's first day of the Big Ten men's swimming and diving championships at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The Wolverines have 80 points, followed by Ohio State with 68 and the Gophers with 60. The meet continues through Saturday.