There must be something about that Wisconsin Badgers job Gary Andersen knows, and Bret Bielema knew, that we don’t. And whatever that something is, likely won’t be made public knowledge for a long time. Bielema moved laterally at best, but at least you could understand the move. He had been there for awhile and it is a huge step up in conference. Andersen made a significant step down in heading to Oregon State.
And the “be closer to his family” excuse doesn’t pass the smell test as an explanation. Utah was Andersen’s dream job; not Oregon State. But hey, at least we now know why the Wisconsin Badgers didn’t show up for a second of the Big Ten title game; their coach already had one foot out the door. I guess that explains a four point favorite losing 59-0.
Andersen went 19-7 in two years with the Badgers including a 10-3 record and a Big Ten West Division title in 2014. He leaves behind a very solid program that will compete for conference championships every season. The way the divisions are set up, it’s pretty much either Wisconsin or Nebraska who are assured of a Big ten title game appearance just about every year.
So let’s move on to the Wisconsin Badgers coaching candidates
1. Darrell Bevell, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
He hasn’t worked at the collegiate level since 1999, but obviously he has tremendous program ties. When current Athletic Director Barry Alvarez began the rebirth of the program in the early 90s, Bevell was the quarterback. Bevell led the Wisconsin Badgers to their first Rose Bowl in what seemed like forever back then, and he’s been working his way up the coaching ladder since. You got to love what he’s done in Seattle, and he’s also been an assistant with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
2. Rod Carey, Head Coach, Northern Illinois
NIU has been a farm system for other top coaching jobs and it sounds weird to say that Wisconsin has been the same during the past few years. Alvarez will be looking for his third coach in four years. Carey is a Madison native and he’s kept the NIU MAC domination rolling, as he’s 23-5 as the leader in Dekalb. This year’s job was especially impressive as he accomplished another conference title despite losing the program’s best player in Jordan Lynch.
Andersen’s press conferences were usually the most boring experiences that you could ever imagine. Carey isn’t much better. His pressers are 99% pointless coachspeak and boring cliches too.
3. Paul Chryst, Head Coach, Pittsburgh
Alvarez said that his phone has been ringing off the hook about the Wisconsin Badgers coaching vacancy; sounding similar to Rob Ryan’s famous “I’ll be unemployed for five minutes.” I would guess that Chryst’s representatives had to have been among the first to give the A.D. a ring. He’s from Madison, he was the offensive coordinator for a very long time under Bielema and makes perfect sense. You would have to think that this might be a dream job for him.
4. Dave Doeren, Head Coach, NC State
If not the offensive coordinator under Bielema, why not the defensive coordinator? Alvarez said that having Wisconsin ties is not a must for the job, much like Michigan said that they will not give priority to being a “Michigan Man.” Except the program in Madison doesn’t have an outdated and self-centered catch-phrase for the idea like the Wolverines do.
5. Michigan State Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi
He won’t likely take the Michigan job! Narduzzi should strike while the iron is still hot, now that he’s helped re-define what Spartans football is these past few years. It’s simply his turn now. Narduzzi was a finalist for the Connecticut job that ended up going to former Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Bob Diacco a year ago.
6. Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Tom Herman
Again, it’s not likely he would take the Michigan job. Herman succeeded at Iowa State before joining Urban Meyer’s staff at OSU. Look no further than freshman phenom J.T. Barrett for a sample of Herman’s work. All done behind a rebuilding year in the O-line too. Herman’s going to get offers, and deservedly so. He also can recruit the fertile cresecent that is Midwestern high school football.
7. Miami Head Coach Al Golden
This is more about a culture fit, as his record has been poor lately. Golden doesn’t seem to click in Coral Gables, but he could gel in the Midwest. The Wisconsin Badgers could be a good fit.
8. Wyoming Coach Craig Bohl
Bohl won three straight FCS national championships in North Dakota before leaving for Wyoming this season. He was also an assistant at Nebraska for a long time. If you want a “football Bo Ryan” kind of hire, then perhaps Bohl is your guy.
By the way, here’s our top five Michigan Coaching candidates
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2