UW Stepping Stone Job

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Gary Anderson is leaving UW for Oregon State

Despite all the sh1t-talking from our Badger friends, it seems that UW's football program is even more of a stepping stone job than they claim MUBB is.

#MiddleofTheRoad

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-gary-andersen-oregon-state-20141210-story.html

[Ari Gold]

Alverez's shadow looms large over UW Football and he'll be a huge problem for any future coaches.

[tower912]

Too funny.    Bo must have cooled on him.   

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Alverez's shadow looms large over UW Football and he'll be a huge problem for any future coaches.

Bo Schembechler didn't let it stand in the way of success after he stepped into the AD role

[chapman]

Oregon State?  That's like the Virginia Tech of Pac 12 football.  

Maybe he hated being told to throw a game 59-0 to help his conference.  

Or maybe Barry was itching to coach another bowl game.

[NavinRJohnson]

Alverez's shadow looms large over UW Football and he'll be a huge problem for any future coaches.

Not so much his shadow as his meddling (maybe that's what you meant). As long as he's there, I am convinced they will only play that run first (and second and third) style. No way Anderson wants to play that style given his history. I think he saw the writing on the wall, and after getting destroyed by OSU, and facing next year with no Gordon, no QB, and no receivers to speak of, got out while he could.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Not so much his shadow as his meddling (maybe that's what you meant). As long as he's there, I am convinced they will only play that run first (and second and third) style. No way Anderson wants to play that style given his history. I think he saw the writing on the wall, and after getting destroyed by OSU, and facing next year with no Gordon, no QB, and no receivers to speak of, got out while he could.

i hear ya, and don't know enough about how Barry works as AD, but it'll be interesting to see who they pull in.

Edit: As an AD what notable has Barry done? Two bungled football coaches.... Anything I'm missing? Bo was already there when he took over.

[Tugg Speedman]

rickbozich ‏@rickbozich  · 2m2 minutes ago
Folks saying Wisconsin's academic policies driving Gary Anderson to Oregon State. Apparently Bo Ryan has never had that problem.

[NavinRJohnson]

rickbozich ‏@rickbozich  · 2m2 minutes ago
Folks saying Wisconsin's academic policies driving Gary Anderson to Oregon State. Apparently Bo Ryan has never had that problem.

Nor did the previous coach.

[Tugg Speedman]

Nor did the previous coach.

Does this mean that Anderson could get any criminal he wanted into Madison?

[NavinRJohnson]

Does this mean that Anderson could get any criminal he wanted into Madison?

I don't know what that means.

[Groin_pull]

rickbozich ‏@rickbozich  · 2m2 minutes ago
Folks saying Wisconsin's academic policies driving Gary Anderson to Oregon State. Apparently Bo Ryan has never had that problem.

Well, that's what happens when you're the Harvard of the Midwest.

[Oldgym]

Too funny.    Bo must have cooled on him.   

This will make me chuckle for the next 24 hours.

[Tugg Speedman]

I don't know what that means.

Sure you do, see Florida State, to be number one you have to have players to get arrested about once a week. And worse in the case of Winston.

[Tugg Speedman]

Well, that's what happens when you're the Harvard of the Midwest.

Curious ... You think Harvard refers to themselves as the Wisconsin of the Northeast?

[muwarrior69]

Kind of OT but if I remember correctly, UW won only one game during my 4 years at MU '65-'69. Remember the banner headline in the Milwaukee Journal when they won. They were just awful.

[muwarrior97]

Gary Anderson is leaving UW for Oregon State

Despite all the sh1t-talking from our Badger friends, it seems that UW's football program is even more of a stepping stone job than they claim MUBB is.

#MiddleofTheRoad

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-gary-andersen-oregon-state-20141210-story.html

BOOM! +1 #UWDONEDeal

[mikekinsellaMVP]

Oregon State?  That's like the Virginia Tech of Pac 12 football.

Hey!  Just because they had 28 consecutive losing seasons doesn't mean you need to say such horrible things.

[Tums Festival]

Don Morton is available. Bring back that veer!

[Groin_pull]

Curious ... You think Harvard refers to themselves as the Wisconsin of the Northeast?

I assume all those fried hippies I see stumbling around the UW campus are elite scholars who had their choice of any school on the planet.

[brandx]

Not surprised at all. IMO, the job is Paul Chryst's if he wants it.

Funny, but the thread here reads like the Badger boards when discussing MU.

[Hards Alumni]

rickbozich ‏@rickbozich  · 2m2 minutes ago
Folks saying Wisconsin's academic policies driving Gary Anderson to Oregon State. Apparently Bo Ryan has never had that problem.

RON DAYNE.

[Groin_pull]

Not surprised at all. IMO, the job is Paul Chryst's if he wants it.

Funny, but the thread here reads like the Badger boards when discussing MU.

Doesn't he have a .500 record after three seasons at Pitt? Impressive.

[brandx]

Doesn't he have a .500 record after three seasons at Pitt? Impressive.

Much more impressive than a slug like Belichick - took him 9 seasons to get above .500.

[Groin_pull]

Much more impressive than a slug like Belichick - took him 9 seasons to get above .500.

 

[Tums Festival]

Not surprised at all. IMO, the job is Paul Chryst's if he wants it.

Funny, but the thread here reads like the Badger boards when discussing MU.

How so? Has anyone made disparaging remarks about Gary Andersen's parents?

[GooooMarquette]

It's Oregon State!  It's Oregon State!

[mu-rara]

A lot of back and forth about lowering admission standards on the Badger board.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

A lot of back and forth about lowering admission standards on the Badger board.

the problem is BA

[Groin_pull]

A lot of back and forth about lowering admission standards on the Badger board.

Yeah, that's the problem.

[brandx]

the problem is BA

That makes sense 

Compare the 25 years before BA was at UW with the 25 years since.

[Hards Alumni]

A lot of back and forth about lowering admission standards on the Badger board.

That doesn't surprise me.  A lot of uninformed folks there.

That makes sense 

Compare the 25 years before BA was at UW with the 25 years since.

Well, Barry does have an ego the size of Madison.

[ATWizJr]

the problem is BA

How's that?

[mu03eng]

A lot of back and forth about lowering admission standards on the Badger board.

It's excuse making on their part.  UW admission standards are on par with every other B1G school and they don't seem to have trouble enrolling students.  Besides, what player did Anderson not get on campus because of academics???

Given the talent on the roster for next year, Wisconsin may be in for a rough couple of years depending on who the hire is.

And I really hope they hire Paul Chryst, all anyone complained about in those years was the offensive play calling.

[ATWizJr]

It's excuse making on their part.  UW admission standards are on par with every other B1G school and they don't seem to have trouble enrolling students.  Besides, what player did Anderson not get on campus because of academics???

Given the talent on the roster for next year, Wisconsin may be in for a rough couple of years depending on who the hire is.

And I really hope they hire Paul Chryst, all anyone complained about in those years was the offensive play calling.

the Sun Prairie kid. Craig Evans, now a frosh at Michigan State.

[Groin_pull]

It's excuse making on their part.  UW admission standards are on par with every other B1G school and they don't seem to have trouble enrolling students.  Besides, what player did Anderson not get on campus because of academics???

Given the talent on the roster for next year, Wisconsin may be in for a rough couple of years depending on who the hire is.

And I really hope they hire Paul Chryst, all anyone complained about in those years was the offensive play calling.

Well, Chryst has certainly been tearing it up at Pitt.

[GoldenWarrior11]

There was someone on Twitter than had a picture of Gary Andersen's office at Wisconsin with a giant Barry Alvarez statue in it.  The caption was something like "Is there anything more strange to have in your office?"  Must have been a pretty awkward situation to be in.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I read on SI.com last night that its rumored Anderson was unhappy with the budget for his assistants and with the facilities I have no idea how WI's facilities are, I would assume with the BIG network $$$ they have invested in them but...

[MUDPT]

the Sun Prairie kid. Craig Evans, now a frosh at Michigan State.

Yep, nothing like dragging a high school senior's academic record through the State Journal, again.

[MUfan12]

Didn't that linebacker from Mukwonago fail his Women's Studies class?

[Ari Gold]

I read on SI.com last night that its rumored Anderson was unhappy with the budget for his assistants and with the facilities I have no idea how WI's facilities are, I would assume with the BIG network $$$ they have invested in them but...

I was under the impression the facilities were very good and newly renovated. New weight room, nutrition room, players lounge etc.

[ATWizJr]

Yep, nothing like dragging a high school senior's academic record through the State Journal, again.

 Not the intent at all.  03 asked, I answered.  Nothing more than that.

[MUDPT]

Not the intent at all.  03 asked, I answered.  Nothing more than that.

Whoops, not my intent either, sorry.  My criticism lies with the State Journal, who thinks it's okay to talk about high school seniors' academic records.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Here's a question: If UW's athletic dept is so premier, how is it that lowly Marquette paid Buzz ~$1.3m MORE than their head football coach? The HC of football is the steward of the most visible and supposedly profitable program for the university.

Where is that money going if not to get the best coaching staff you can?

...or maybe the pockets aren't as deep as any UW alum would have you believe.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

How's that?

Not arguing with Alvarez as a coach, but I believe he's not a guy who attracts top talent coaches to work under him.

1) Wisconsin pays their assistants 40th in the nation (below Rutgers, even). It is the AD's responsibility to secure resources for his department to attract and support top talent. Barry's comment on that:

"As athletic director, I know what people are making, and every time someone has a hint that they may take another job, it's not prudent to jump and throw a pile of money at them,” Alvarez said.[/list]

This, of course, misses the point - this was a big reason BB left, and definitely didn't help GA from leaving. Looking to the next guy... who is looking at that quote drooling over the UW job? They'll not be able to get the support they need on the sideline that MSU, Iowa, Michigan, OSU, Nebraska, etc all get.... even though they are facing them to win the conference each year.

2) I don't believe admissions policies were the issue. Regardless of their stringency (or lack thereof), nothing changed from Gary Anderson's interview with Wisconsin and today. For this to be an issue there would have been lack of clarity from the AD on what he could swing for the football program.

3) Alvarez is a micromanager, and no head coach would spend more time at UW than he needed to. Some excerpts from a recent article:

Bielema always bristled at the notion that he was merely maintaining Alvarez’s program. I heard him more than once in the last of his seven years at Wisconsin go to great lengths to point out the length of his tenure and the amount of success he’d had. You got the feeling the athletic director still liked to lay claim to the Badgers’ football glory – and you got that feeling from the things Alvarez said when Bielema left.

"Bret used my gameplan to win,” he said. “The coach I hire will have to understand who we are and how we go about our business."

Thus Alvarez hired another coach who would revere the power running game in Andersen. Coming from Utah State, there was no way Andersen was going to be a bigger man on campus than Alvarez.

Andersen went 19-7 in two seasons – a very good record, but one marred by some ugly losses. In 2013, the Badgers mangled a last-minute drive and lost to Arizona State, 32-30; flopped in a loss to Penn State as a 24-point favorite; and lost the Capital One Bowl to South Carolina as a slight favorite. This year, Wisconsin inexplicably lost to Northwestern, then was mauled 59-0 as a four-point favorite in the Big Ten championship game by Ohio State.

Oh, and there also was that bizarre, come-from-ahead loss in the season opener against LSU. In that game, Wisconsin stopped running Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon in the second half and started a quarterback who simply couldn’t play at that level. Andersen was grilled in the aftermath, and his non-answers about why Gordon didn’t carry the ball only left people more confused and unhappy.

The following Monday, Andersen said Gordon was bothered by a hip flexor injury during the game – something he did not divulge that night. And he didn’t sound very happy divulging it two days later, either.

“I don't quite frankly think it's anybody's business to pass that on to somebody after the game,” Andersen said. “But apparently it is because that's what I was told to do.”

There’s only one person who could tell the head coach how to handle a player injury – Alvarez.
[/list]

So taking just a few of these things together, I don't think that would describe to me a "destination job" or one that I'd want to hang around at all... Any scoopers here feel like they'd love to work for a boss like that?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/on-wisconsin--gary-andersen-bolting-shows-uw-s-problem-may-be-institutional-025124097-ncaaf.html

[NavinRJohnson]

That article kind of sums up this casual observers sense of the thing. Barry Alvarez seems to think its still 1920 where football is concerned. Dictating that style of play, will obviously make it difficult to attract and retain coaches if their ability to recruit top talent aside from RBs and OLinemen is hampered as Wisconsin's recent QBs and WRs would seem to indicate it is.

[Tugg Speedman]

That article kind of sums up this casual observers sense of the thing. Barry Alvarez seems to think its still 1920 where football is concerned. Dictating that style of play, will obviously make it difficult to attract and retain coaches if their ability to recruit top talent aside from RBs and OLinemen is hampered as Wisconsin's recent QBs and WRs would seem to indicate it is.

The only person that can stop Russell Wilson is Barry Alvarez?

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

The only person that can stop Russell Wilson is Barry Alvarez?

Wilson didn't develop at UW. He was a free agent looking for the most complimentary team for him to plug into and shine.

Hardly the prototypical UW QB.

[Hards Alumni]

Not surprisingly, Paul Chryst will be the next UW coach.

[JWags85]

Wilson didn't develop at UW. He was a free agent looking for the most complimentary team for him to plug into and shine.

Hardly the prototypical UW QB.

Yet he's constantly portrayed as a UW success story.  He was there for less time than kids who flunk out of school.

It will be interesting to see the reaction to Chryst.  He's hardly had the success at Pitt to justify this hire if he wasn't the former OC.

[MUfan12]

Congrats to UW on hiring their Brian Wardle.

[Spotcheck Billy]

at least Barry found a YES man who'll sit down and shut up

[GGGG]

That article kind of sums up this casual observers sense of the thing. Barry Alvarez seems to think its still 1920 where football is concerned. Dictating that style of play, will obviously make it difficult to attract and retain coaches if their ability to recruit top talent aside from RBs and OLinemen is hampered as Wisconsin's recent QBs and WRs would seem to indicate it is.

But I would argue this.  Playing football the way Wisconsin has, with a strong running game and a serviceable passing game, is how Wisconsin has to play it.

Importing a spread option type system here isn't going to work because you would have to import almost every player.  I mean, no one runs this stuff in the high schools in the midwest.  It's mostly all traditional, pro set type offenses.

It has served Wisconsin well.  Under the "old system" it wasn't going to win a national championship, but under the four team playoff, or if they expand it to eight teams, Wisconsin can get in the door with a good season - and then who knows.

[GGGG]

Congrats to UW on hiring their Brian Wardle.

That's a good way of looking at it.  Not sure how successful he will be...

[Hards Alumni]

Congrats to UW on hiring their Brian Wardle.

They wanted him 2 years ago but he was 1 year into his Pitt contract.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Waiting for the UW backlash in the Chryst hire since he is a "liar" like Gary Anderson for leaving mid-contract.

[4everwarriors]

Anyone who believes all this chit,with Anderson takin' the OSU gig and old Paul prematurely gettin' off On Wisconsin, just randomly happened also believes in the Easter bunny.

[GGGG]

Anyone who believes all this chit,with Anderson takin' the OSU gig and old Paul prematurely gettin' off On Wisconsin, just randomly happened also believes in the Easter bunny.

It has been reported by some reputable people that they think Anderson was forced out.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

It has been reported by some reputable people that they think Anderson was forced out.

Based on the OSU game or what?

[4everwarriors]

Of course Anderson "was encouraged" to seek other employment. He was a bad fit for UW just as Bumstead was a bad fit for MU. Only difference here was Alvarez had his new hire already back in the bullpen. Marquette, on the other hand, was left holdin' it's Johnson.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Of course Anderson "was encouraged" to seek other employment. He was a bad fit for UW just as Bumstead was a bad fit for MU. Only difference here was Alvarez had his new hire already back in the bullpen. Marquette, on the other hand, was left holdin' it's Johnson.

did you follow any of the news in this? Alvarez had no idea.

[GGGG]

did you follow any of the news in this? Alvarez had no idea.

Because an Athletic Director would never lie?  I am not saying he was pushed out.  I have no idea.  But it has been reported by some in Madison and by people like Pete Fiutak that he "was hearing" that may have been the case.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

You had me at

I am not saying he was pushed out.  I have no idea.

[GGGG]

You had me at

OK well, not sure what you mean.  All I am saying is that I haven't heard anything...but that it has been reported as a possibility elsewhere.  I mean, you can choose to ignore those reports if you want.  No biggie to me.

[Groin_pull]

Because an Athletic Director would never lie?  I am not saying he was pushed out.  I have no idea.  But it has been reported by some in Madison and by people like Pete Fiutak that he "was hearing" that may have been the case.

Right, because whenever there's a coaching change in Madison it's always on UW's terms. The always call the shots. Got it.

[GGGG]

Right, because whenever there's a coaching change in Madison it's always on UW's terms. The always call the shots. Got it.

Can people not read today or something?

*I* am not saying he was pushed out!  *Others* have reported it!  Pete Fiutak for example said that it he heard rumblings and he isn't a Madison guy.

http://host.madison.com/sports/college/football/video-campus-insiders-pete-fiutak-thinks-barry-alvarez-probably-forced/html_ec3dc40a-54b9-53fd-a46a-574eac430877.html

[Golden Avalanche]

Can people not read today or something?

*I* am not saying he was pushed out!  *Others* have reported it!  Pete Fiutak for example said that it he heard rumblings and he isn't a Madison guy.

http://host.madison.com/sports/college/football/video-campus-insiders-pete-fiutak-thinks-barry-alvarez-probably-forced/html_ec3dc40a-54b9-53fd-a46a-574eac430877.html

Interesting angle for the boosters/media to take. Course, doesn't that now mean the guy (Alvarez) who pushed his guy (Andersen) out the door for his new guy (Chryst) is the same guy (Alvarez) who failed his vetting process for the first guy (Andersen)?

[GGGG]

Interesting angle for the boosters/media to take. Course, doesn't that now mean the guy (Alvarez) who pushed his guy (Andersen) out the door for his new guy (Chryst) is the same guy (Alvarez) who failed his vetting process for the first guy (Andersen)?

Oh I agree with that.  Barry is a problem, but Barry is basically untouchable.

[NavinRJohnson]

Did he get out while the gettin was good? Yes? Did Alvarez hold the door for him? Very possible. I suspect both sides are happy with the separation. Best case for Andersen was getting fired next year.

[Groin_pull]

Well, now those delusional Vadger fans are doing cartwheels (at least the ones who aren't too fat) over a .500 coach from Pitt.

Hope he's prepared to deal with those sky-high academic requirements.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Did he get out while the gettin was good? Yes? Did Alvarez hold the door for him? Very possible. I suspect both sides are happy with the separation. Best case for Andersen was getting fired next year.

you're delusional. UW hasn't fired a FB coach in 35 years. GA wasn't getting canned.

[NavinRJohnson]

you're delusional. UW hasn't fired a FB coach in 35 years. GA wasn't getting canned.

Except of course for Don Morton, but otherwise your right, they didn't fire the two most successful coaches in their history in Alvarez and Bielema, one of whom retired/became AD, the other who chose to escape said overbearing AD.

Lousy this year. Next year no Melvin Gordon, No QB, no WRs, and wanting to play a style and bring I talent his AD didn't agree with. They were going to be worse next year. Guy would have been as good as gone.

[jakeec]

He was not forced out.

Was Buzz?

[Groin_pull]

Except of course for Don Morton, but otherwise your right, they didn't fire the two most successful coaches in their history in Alvarez and Bielema, one of whom retired/became AD, the other who chose to escape said overbearing AD.

Lousy this year. Next year no Melvin Gordon, No QB, no WRs, and wanting to play a style and bring I talent his AD didn't agree with. They were going to be worse next year. Guy would have been as good as gone.

However, they play in a very mediocre conference...and a pathetic division within that conference.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

He was not forced out.

Was Buzz?

I think Buzz's departure was well known.... Bill Cords mentioned in his press conference that they had already begun the search for his replacement:

Cords said Marquette already had engaged in internal discussions about the possibility of Williams leaving and added that the position would be filled as soon as possible.

Compare that with Alvarez's comments:

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said in a press conference Wednesday evening that he was "very surprised" by the news. "I really had no idea this was in the works," he said.