University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez deserves considerable credit for moving fast and decisively in filling his vacant head coaching position that opened up unexpectedly last week when previous head coach Gary Andersen bolted for Oregon State. Multiple sources have confirmed that Alvarez spoke to former Wisconsin quarterback and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, who is currently the head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers, about returning home to coach his alma mater.
Everything would indicate that Chryst is the perfect choice. The hiring cannot take place until Wednesday, at the earliest, because of state regulations about posting the job for one week after it opens.
Hometown Hero
The 49-year-old Chryst is a native of Madison, Wisc. and played for UW from 1986-88. He served as offensive coordinator for both Alvarez and his successor Bret Bielema from 2005 through 2011 before taking the head coaching job at Pitt. Chryst knows the unique “Wisconsin Way” that Alvarez has created and appreciates how Alvarez transformed the program from a Big Ten doormat into a national power.
It’s All Academic
Andersen, like Bielema, became frustrated with Wisconsin’s refusal to lower its academic standards in order to admit a higher quality of athlete to the school. Wisconsin’s 59-0 loss in the Big Ten Championship Game to Ohio State illustrates the gap that the strict academic standards creates for the Badgers and their ability to compete with the power elite. Alvarez did confirm that Andersen voiced his frustration at losing top talent to other schools because UW would not lower its standards.
The Wisconsin Way
Alvarez is proud of what he calls “The Wisconsin Way” in which higher academic standards are part of the package. Power football is another part of the “Wisconsin Way” with a grand tradition of record setting running backs such as this year’s Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon, who ran for 2,336 yards this season.
The fact that Chryst coordinated the offense at UW and is familiar with the academic requirements make him the perfect fit. Wisconsin has won at least ten games in six out of the last ten seasons and went to three consecutive Rose Bowls from 2010 through 2012.
Pitt Making Hard Sell
Meanwhile Chryst has not stated that he is officially leaving Pitt. Reports say the school’s administration is making an all-out blitz at giving Chryst whatever he wants to stay at the Atlantic Coast Conference program. Chryst is 19-19 at Pitt but inherited a program that had suffered from a total lack of stability in which it went through six coaches in two years before Chryst stabilized things somewhat with a three year run.
Wisconsin can Power the West
The Badgers play in the Big Ten West Division which is comprised of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Iowa Hawkeyes, Illinois Fighting Illini, Northwestern Wildcats and Purdue Boilermakers. Big Ten power/brand names such as Ohio State, the Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Michigan State Spartans play in the East Division. It all adds up to a situation in which Wisconsin can be a bona fide contender to make the Big Ten Championship game each season even with their stricter academic standards.
Fall Back Choices
Should Pitt succeed in staving off the likely departure of Chryst for UW, another name in the mix is Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, another former Wisconsin QB. Bevell would bring instant credibility with recruits as a Super Bowl winning OC that is also familiar with the “Wisconsin Way” and the shadow of Alvarez, who is the Godfather of the program and a statewide icon to this very day.
Alvarez has also talked to former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano, but that would seem to be a long shot that would be a much harder sell for the Badger fans. The way Schiano flamed out with Tampa Bay is likely a deal breaker as far as season ticket renewals and big time donations would go.
