MADISON - Now that we know that Bret Bielema is in Arkansas, and Barry Alvarez is set to put the headset back on and coach Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, there are finally some names starting to appear on the Badgers coaching list.
And no, it's not going to be Barry Alvarez beyond January 1, because the UW Athetics Department is now a $110 million big business, and the days of Bob Devaney being the Nebraska AD and coach are long gone.
So who could replace Barry, who will replace Bret in Pasadena?
Alvarez would prefer someone with head coaching experience, and like Bret Bielema, have that guy be between 35-45. Under 50, really preferred. So here we go:
1. Al Golden--the Miami head coach is 43 and a Barry Alvarez type of coach. Former Miami and soon to be Nebraska AD Shawn Eichorst used to work under Alvarez at Wisconsin. The Hurricanes are a mess, and could get hit with heavy NCAA sanctions soon.
2. Gary Patterson--the TCU head coach gained the respect of Alvarez when TCU beat Wisconsin 21-19 2 years ago in the Rose Bowl. He makes about $3 million per season, has built the Horned Frogs into a solid program, and the facilities are greatly improved. Reportedly he has a pay raise and contract extension offer he's weighing. He's 51, but really liked by Alvarez.
3. Paul Chryst--would be higher on the list, and an ideal fit if it wasn't for an approximately $8 million dollar buyout someone would have to pay to pry him from Pitt.
4. Darrell Bevell--the Seahawks Offensive Coordinator is young, and has always wanted to return to Madison. But it seems like he's more of a longshot right now.
5. Chris Peterson--sure, his name comes up for a lot of jobs. But he hasn't jumped yet, and it's unclear where he really stands in the process.
6. Jay Norvell--he played under Alvarez at Iowa, coaching under him at Wisconsin, and Madison native, the Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator appears to be a longshot.
There is a report that Alvarez met with Western Kentucky head coach Willie Taggart, and former Badger and current Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Mel Tucker, considered to be a rising star in the football coaching world.
So that's what we know right now. Stay tuned for further updates.
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