The college football coaching carousel has been well underway all season long. So far in early December, we've seen 15 hires made so far. While it is pretty...
Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard Says CFB Coaches Are 'Tampering with Other Teams' Players'
Nov 13, 2022
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 22: Head coach Jim Leonhard of the Wisconsin Badgers before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Wisconsin Badgers interim head coach Jim Leonhard addressed the rumors that running back Braelon Allen was considering transferring to Michigan on Saturday.
"I would never accuse any teams of tampering with your players," Leonhard said after the Badgers' 24-10 loss to Iowa on Saturday, via Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "but teams are tampering with other teams’ players."
"It's unfortunate to see where it's at, but I have to continue to show a clear vision. I've mentioned it a number of times, the uncertainty is going to cause people to look and see what the best decisions for their future are, and we have to be real about that as coaches. It's why we have these conversations almost daily with our team about where we're going, what the plan is and how we're going to get there. That's all we can do at this point, and, like I said, it's unfortunate that a kid has to address that with the media when it's not supposed to be real, right, but obviously it is."
During an appearance on 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee (h/t Potrykus) earlier this week, Allen addressed the rumors of him potentially entering the transfer portal, noting that as long as Leonhard remains head coach, he'll remain at Wisconsin.
"That is honest truth," Allen said. "I haven't had any contact with them. The fact that rumor sprouted up is surprising to me … especially Michigan specifically."
Leonhard is 3-2 as head coach of the Badgers since taking over for Paul Chryst, who was fired just five games into the season after the team started the year 2-3 after being projected to be a contender for the Big Ten West title during the preseason.
Allen, a sophomore, has played a big role in Wisconsin's success. During his 2021 freshman season, he rushed for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. Entering Saturday's game against Iowa, he had rushed for 989 yards and 10 scores in nine games this season.
Losing Allen in 2023 would be a tough blow for the Badgers, but it seems like there's an easy way to prevent that from happening by removing the interim label from Leonhard's title.
Former Wisconsin HC Paul Chryst to Receive $11M Contract Buyout After Firing
Oct 4, 2022
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers before the game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Paul Chryst is no longer the head football coach at Wisconsin, and he took a reduced buyout as he was fired.
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg noted the school said he accepted a reduced buyout of $11 million.
He had approximately $20 million remaining on his deal that ran through January 2027. The buyout money will be funded by the University of Wisconsin Foundation, which is the school's fundraising organization, and must be paid by Feb. 1.
Chryst was fired after a 2-3 start that fell short of the standards that he helped put in place.
He started as the head coach in the 2015 season and went 67-26 with four double-digit win campaigns and three Big Ten Championship Game appearances. While he lost all three of those conference title games, twice to Ohio State and once to Penn State, the Badgers have still largely been the class of the Big Ten West under his leadership.
They were even one win away from the College Football Playoff during the 2017 campaign but saw their undefeated journey come to an end when they lost to the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Reaching the Big Ten title game, especially with star running back Braelon Allen leading the way, was once again the expectation this year, but Wisconsin is 0-2 in conference play with losses to Ohio State and Illinois.
Chryst was fired after the 24-point defeat to the Fighting Illini, although a 17-14 nonconference loss to Washington State in which Wisconsin enjoyed a 401-253 advantage in total yards and still fell short likely didn't help his cause either.
Jim Leonhard will take over in an interim role for the Badgers.
Leonhard was the defensive coordinator and appeared in 39 games for Wisconsin from 2002 through 2004 as a player. He also played 10 seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns.
Next up for the Badgers is a conference game against Northwestern on Saturday.
Wisconsin Knocks Off No. 9 Iowa to Hand Hawkeyes 2nd Straight Loss
Oct 30, 2021
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 30: Wisconsin Badgers outside linebacker Noah Burks (41) celebrates after recovering a fumble durning a college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 30th, 2021 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The unranked Wisconsin Badgers upset the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes 27-7 on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium to move to 5-3 on the season.
Saturday's loss dropped Iowa to 6-2 on the year. It was the Hawkeyes' second straight loss to an unranked opponent after a 24-7 defeat to Purdue last weekend.
Iowa made it seem like it had a real shot at the College Football Playoff following a surprising 23-20 victory over then-No. 4 Penn State on Oct. 9. However, the team's playoff hopes are effectively crushed following this weekend's loss to Wisconsin.
Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz had a solid outing, completing 11 of 22 passes for 104 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for two scores. Running back Braelon Allen and wide receiver Danny Davis III also had impressive performances.
Allen finished with 20 carries for 104 yards, and Davis finished with five catches for 59 yards.
However, the best player on the field Saturday was Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal, who finished with 0.5 sacks, nine tackles and one tackle for a loss. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky made it a point to mention Chenal's performance during the broadcast:
Wisconsin outside linebacker Nick Herbig also had a big day, recording 2.5 sacks, six tackles, two tackles for a loss and one forced fumble.
The Iowa offense had an unimpressive afternoon. Quarterback Spencer Petras completed just nine of 19 passes for 93 yards and no touchdowns, though he did rush for a score. Running back Tyler Goodson finished with 13 carries for 27 yards, while wide receiver Sam LaPorta finished with three catches for 44 yards.
The Hawkeyes ended up replacing Petras with Alex Padilla in the fourth quarter, who completed three of six passes for 39 yards.
The Badgers hadn't beaten the Hawkeyes since November 2019. Iowa won last year's meeting 28-7 at home. However, Wisconsin holds a 49-44-2 record against Iowa.
The Badgers have now won their last four games and will take on Rutgers next weekend, while the Hawkeyes will be on the road against Northwestern.
The Wildcats have dominated the Hawkeyes in recent years, going 4-1 against the team since October 2016. So, Iowa won't necessarily have it easy.
No. 12 Notre Dame Beats No. 18 Wisconsin; Brian Kelly Becomes Winningest ND Coach
Sep 25, 2021
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 25: Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the Shamrock Series game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Wisconsin Badgers on September 25, 2021 at Soldier Field, in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Notre Dame remained perfect at 4-0 with a 41-13 victory over No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Brian Kelly now has 106 wins as head coach of the 12th-ranked Fighting Irish, moving him ahead of Knute Rockne for the most in program history.
With the game tied at 10 midway through the third quarter, Notre Dame had to turn to third-string quarterback Drew Pyne. Backup Tyler Buchner has a hamstring injury, and starter Jack Coan had limped back to the locker room.
Pyne attempted just three passes as a freshman, and his inexperience showed on his second drive when he didn't feel Rodas Johnson bearing down on his blind side.
The fumble set up a 27-yard field goal by Collin Larsh at the 14:14 mark of the fourth quarter.
Chris Tyree had registered little impact to that point, accumulating 12 yards from scrimmage. But the sophomore running back made his presence felt by returning the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.
After Jayson Ademilola's strip-sack three plays later, Pyne hit Kevin Austin Jr. for a 16-yard touchdown pass to help widen Notre Dame's lead to 24-13.
Drew White capped a 31-point fourth quarter for the Irish with a pick-six of Graham Mertz with 54 seconds on the clock. It was Mertz's second pick-six in little more than a minute and the denouement of a brutal outing as the pressure continues to mount on the Wisconsin quarterback.
Notable Performers
Jack Coan, QB, Notre Dame: 15-of-29, 158 yards, TD
Drew Pyne, QB, Notre Dame: 6-of-8, 81 yards, TD
Kevin Austin, Jr., WR, Notre Dame: six receptions, 76 yards, 2 TD
Graham Mertz, QB, Wisconsin: 18-of-41, 240 yards, TD, 4 INT
Chez Mellusi, RB, Wisconsin: 18 carries, 54 yards; two receptions, 39 yards
Notre Dame Defense Making Strides
Coming into Saturday, it was unclear how good the Fighting Irish were. They went to overtime against Florida State (0-3) in their opener, and Toledo pushed Kelly's squad to the brink six days later.
The defense in particular generated questions after allowing 795 yards in those two games under first-year coordinator Marcus Freeman. Now, the unit looks far more comfortable following the transition to Freeman from Clark Lea.
Pyne also exceeded everybody's expectations under difficult circumstances. He was efficient and avoided critical errors after his fumble.
Depending on Coan's health, Kelly may have a quarterback dilemma. One doesn't want to be a prisoner of the moment, but the gap between Coan and Pyne may not be that big.
At the very least, Pyne did nothing Saturday to hurt his standing.
Though putting the Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff would be premature, their dominant defense and solid quarterback play—the kind of balance Notre Dame showed against Wisconsin—have made for a winning recipe for Kelly before.
Wisconsin Has a Graham Mertz Problem
To some extent, this game was a referendum on Mertz.
With Mertz entrenched as the starter, Coan chose to transfer to capitalize on his final season of eligibility. The net effect would probably be marginal if Wisconsin could swap Mertz for Coan, but it seems clear Mertz cannot elevate the offense.
The sophomore struggled as the 2020 season went on, and things haven't gotten better.
That 20-of-21 for 248 yards and 5 TDs performance against Illinois feels like a lifetime ago for Graham Mertz.
For years, Wisconsin was perceived to be holding itself back with game managers such as Alex Hornibrook, Joel Stave, Scott Tolzien, John Stocco and Jim Sorgi.
Mertz was a 4-star recruit and the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the 2019 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. The Kansas native was supposed to be the elite passer the Badgers had lacked.
Instead, fans might be longing for the days when Wisconsin played to type.
Notre Dame’s defense is really good.
But Wisconsin can’t run like it used to and has a big, big problem at QB.
The best quality of great college football coaches is the ability to adapt and keep up with the times. Why do we view Wisconsin's offensive philosophy as charming? https://t.co/Z5WXjWP9oY
After Austin's second touchdown reception, the Badgers had more than nine minutes to close a two-score gap. But the gulf felt much larger because the offense had failed to move the ball.
Wisconsin finished 1-of-14 on third down. It failed to deliver in critical moments and couldn't maintain drives.
What's Next?
Notre Dame heads back to South Bend, Indiana, for what may be its toughest test of the season against No. 8 Cincinnati. Wisconsin will host No. 19 Michigan in a game that could make or break the Badgers' hopes of winning the Big Ten West.
Video: Wisconsin Fans Erupt for 'Jump Around' Tradition in Return to Camp Randall
Sep 4, 2021
Wisconsin fans sing and dance to "Jump Around" during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin 38-13. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
For the first time since the 2019 season, Wisconsin Badgers football fans Saturday took part in the "Jump Around" tradition at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Following the third quarter of No. 12 Wisconsin's Big Ten clash with No. 19 Penn State, a sellout crowd of more than 80,000 jumped simultaneously as the House of Pain hit "Jump Around" blared through the stadium:
There is arguably no greater tradition in college football than "Jump Around," as Wisconsin has played it at every home game since 1998.
Per Meg Jones of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the tradition began during homecoming against Purdue on Oct. 10, 1998, when fans jumped as the song played and the Badgers beat the Boilermakers 31-24.
Since no fans were permitted to attend Wisconsin home games last season during the COVID-19 pandemic, "Jump Around" went on a one-year hiatus.
It returned in force Saturday, however, as the home fans jumped and cheered jubilantly during a 7-7 game.
The Wisconsin faithful looked to help extend one of the most impressive streaks in college football, as the Badgers entered the day having won 25 consecutive home openers.
Wisconsin Dismisses RB Loyal Crawford After Dorm Altercation with Antwan Roberts
Aug 31, 2021
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 12: A Wisconsin helmet on the sidelines during game action. Wisconsin beat Illinois by a final score of 48-3 at Camp Randall Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Madison, WI.
(Photo by Patrick S. Blood/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Wisconsin Badgers will be without multiple running backs when they take on Penn State in Saturday's season opener.
Evan Flood of 247Sports noted the Big Ten program announced it dismissed running back Loyal Crawford from the team and suspended running back Antwan Roberts following an altercation in a residence hall.
Crawford responded to the announcement on Twitter with his own message (since deleted) and said, "I was treated so unfairly in all of this. I want everyone to know that. They didn't even want to hear my side. he literally broke into my dorm room and tried to jump me while I was sitting on the couch with my back turned to him he started it all."
Michael Hogan of 247Sports reported a UW-Madison Police spokesperson said a physical altercation happened on Aug. 22 and Crawford was cited for disorderly conduct and disorderly conduct while armed because he had a knife.
The police spokesperson said there were only minor injuries that were not related to the knife.
Crawford was a 3-star prospect in Wisconsin's 2021 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Roberts was also a 3-star prospect in the same class.
Drew Hamm of SB Nation noted neither running back was expected to be a key piece of Wisconsin's offense this season.
Wisconsin's Graham Mertz Reveals Personal Logo in Video; 1st College Athlete to Do So
Jun 28, 2021
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first quarter of the Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz unveiled a hype video Monday, though it wasn't the highlights of the Badgers' play that stood out. Mertz's trademarked logo at the end of the eight-second clip grabbed all the attention.
As the NCAA braces for the impact of name, image and likeness policies that go into effect July 1, Mertz becomes the first college athlete to release a trademarked logo, according to The Athletic.
Mertz is likely just the first of numerous college athletes who will release similar videos, logos and more as name, image and likeness rights are opened to student-athletes.
The move—a likely placeholder for the NCAA while federal legislation is debated—allows college players to earn money off their names, images and likenesses regardless of which state they live in. Multiple states have already passed NIL laws, and those in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Georgia and Kentucky go into effect July 1 as well.
Similar laws in California, Michigan, Colorado, Tennessee, Maryland and South Carolina will kick in over the next few years.
While the state of Wisconsin hasn't passed an NIL law, its flagship university is working to get ahead of the curve.
"College athletics is entering a new era and we are excited to embrace the opportunities that will come with changes in student-athletes' name, image and likeness rights," athletic director Chris McIntosh said earlier this month (h/t CBS' Barrett Sallee). "At our core, we exist to prepare student-athletes. Our approach to preparing them for success in the NIL arena will be no different than our commitment to setting them up for success on the field of play, in the classroom and in life beyond their time at UW."
The Badgers have already launched a program titled "YouDub" in partnership with Opendorse to help players get the most of out the NCAA's NIL policies.
Mertz wasted no time getting himself up and running. By the end of the week, videos like these may become the norm in college sports.
Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez Will Retire on June 30 After 32 Years with Badgers
Apr 6, 2021
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 01: University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez looks on in the first quarter between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Utah State Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium on September 1, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez is retiring effective June 30, ending a 32-year tenure at the school.
"It has been an honor to be a part of Wisconsin Athletics and I take great pride in all we have accomplished over the last three decades," Alvarez said in Tuesday's announcement. "From championships, to improvements on campus, to impacting thousands of student-athletes, it's been a great ride. I'm grateful for the support, generosity, enthusiasm and loyalty of Badgers in the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Thank you."
Alvarez took over as head coach of the Badgers football team in 1990. They went 1-10 in his first season but improved to 10-1-1 and beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl in 1993.
The 74-year-old compiled a 118-75-4 record in 18 years on the job, bringing a level of consistency to Wisconsin that had been absent in the program's history. The team was the Big Ten champion in 1993, 1998 and 1999.
Alvarez stepped down in 2005 to focus on his administrative duties as athletic director. Twice he came out of retirement to coach Wisconsin in bowl games to fill in for an outgoing coach (Bret Bielema in 2012 and Gary Andersen in 2014). As the AD, he helped ensure the Badgers maintained the on-field identity he established.
Wisconsin made note of the success it enjoyed outside of football with Alvarez in charge of athletics:
In Alvarez's first 18 seasons as A.D., Wisconsin has finished among the top 30 in the NACDA Director's Cup 15 times, including 16th-place finishes in 2006-07, 2016-17 and 2018-19. Six different programs have won national titles during Alvarez's tenure, including four in the magical 2005-06 season. Fourteen different teams have been crowned as conference champions, including five in each of the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons.
Most notably, the men's basketball team made back-to-back Final Fours in 2014 and 2015, finishing runner-up to Duke in the latter trip.
According to USA Today, Wisconsin's athletic department generated $157.7 million in revenue for the 2018-19 school year, 11th-most in the country. Alvarez excelled by almost any metric and leaves massive shoes to fill.
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported deputy athletic director Chris McIntosh "has long been viewed as a potential successor." McIntosh played for Alvarez and was an All-American in 1999. He assumed his current role in 2017.
However, Rittenberg noted Wisconsin plans to execute a comprehensive search for a new AD.
