BADGERS HIRE FORMER VIKING SLASH KICKER- Page 51

[RiotPunch]

I think we'll promote Hammock to OC now.

[xTitan]

It appears he is going to bring his OC and DC with him, unless one gets the job at Utah State. It sounds like he will bring his entire staff, which is a concern for me because of recruiting, but this hire is getting rave reviews by national pundits in the twitterverse, says it is a perfect fit for coach and university. We will see, after all we have no other choice.

[Kerb Hohl]

Interesting perspective:

Everyone loves Diaco. If a few field goals are missed and crappy calls don't occur and Notre Dame is 10-2, is he getting the pub?

Andersen was basically 2 missed FGs away from 12-0.

[RiotPunch]

It appears he is going to bring his OC and DC with him, unless one gets the job at Utah State. It sounds like he will bring his entire staff, which is a concern for me because of recruiting, but this hire is getting rave reviews by national pundits in the twitterverse, says it is a perfect fit for coach and university. We will see, after all we have no other choice.

Yeah, early speculation is that his OC will be stepping in as HC. Like has been mentioned, Utah State ran the spread, which is something I'm sure Barry won't allow here.

[Ayt]

We will see right away how he recruits, they have a very good recruiting class verbally right now, will be interesting to see how many he can keep. My problem is that if his entire staff comes with him like it is being reported they are not strong in the Midwest, this is a relationship business, it doesn't happen over night usually. There is also a huge difference in recruiting the type of athlete at Utah State and the type at UW.

The Badgers have an offensive brand, power pro style football with multiple sets, multiple TE's, fullbacks etc., if they go to a spread offense it will be college football suicide IMO, you stick with your strength, large, physical offensive lineman who can move, that is what this state produces.

How could you possibly be worried we'd run the spread at WI with Barry as the AD? Are you also worried about a nuclear bomb being dropped on your house tonight?

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

If the OC isn't coming and UW will be running their traditional ground and pound pro style offense, would the QB be as likely to follow Andersen to WI? If he still does follow, I wonder how that might effect Bart Houston.

[notoriousTJ11]

If the OC isn't coming and UW will be running their traditional ground and pound pro style offense, would the QB be as likely to follow Andersen to WI? If he still does follow, I wonder how that might effect Bart Houston.

I highly doubt Chuckie Keeton comes here just because he'd have to sit out a year and by then who knows what will happen (Stave or Houston could take off and become amazing). I think after the disappointment with O'brien and what Stave showed and with Houston in the fold UW's days of chasing transfer QB's are over.

[MickeyDavis]

The official story I'm sure will be that he was Barry's #1 choice from the get-go. That's always how it works. I'm taking a wait and see approach on this one. He needs to make a good impression in the state first. While WIsconsin isn't a hotbed of football recruits we do have some talent here and for the most part they've stayed in state. That needs to continue. My main concern is recruiting the midwest and east. He needs to have some assistants with ties to those regions.

Total blindside on this one.

[MickeyDavis]

The news that Gary Andersen would be the next Wisconsin coach stunned not only Wisconsin fans, but those that cover and follow Utah State as well.

To get more information on Andersen, I reached out to a couple of their beat guys and graciously Wade Denniston of the Logan Herald Journal and Kevin Graham, the program director of KFAN in Salt Lake City,agreed to answer some questions. Both of these guys were doling out information all night on Twitter. (By the way, you can follow Denniston on Twitter @wdbowler and Graham @KevinGrahamKFAN).

Anyway, despite the long night, they were kind enough to answer a few questions via email:

Q. How surprised are you by this from Andersen? Especially after he put out a release saying he was staying and apparently telling the team he was staying.

Denniston: Shocked, to tell you the truth. I knew Coach A would eventually leave, but to have it happen this soon caught me totally off guard, especially after announcing he was staying. He's a very hot commodity and Wisconsin got a good one.

Graham: This was surprising considering he issued the press release saying he was staying at Utah State after turning down offers at Kentucky, Cal and Colorado. However, I believe he was sincere when he made that decision. It's just the Wisconsin job hadn't opened up by that time.

Q. How would you describe him as a coach?

Denniston: Energetic, passionate, dedicated. He's definitely a players' coach and the Badgers should love him. He'll do things the right way and his teams will be tough-minded and physical. Coach A will definitely put an exciting product on the field.

Graham: Everything you want in a head coach - attention to detail, motivator, disciplinarian yet players respect and love playing for him. He's direct and honest. What you see is what you get.

Q. What is the general reaction you are getting from Utah State people and fans? Beyond shock, that is.

Denniston: It's a mixture of surprise and well wishes, but this is all based on my Twitter feed. A few fans are angry with Coach A, but in his mind he has probably accomplished everything he could at USU. Most of the players are just talking about moving on and remaining positive for the future.

Graham: Some are angry but most are just disappointed yet understanding. Wisconsin is one of the best jobs in the country so I believe most fans realize he had to take it. The Utah State program was so bad for so long fans are just appreciative that he turned the program around.

Q. What do you remember about Andersen's reaction to playing at Wisconsin? We know he was complimentary of LB Chris Borland ("the best linebacker I've ever seen play on a football field,"), but did he mention the atmosphere, etc.?

Denniston: Coach A before the game: "You have a team with a tremendous tradition, a team that expects to win. It will be a hostile environment, I'm sure. I look for that to hopefully not phase a young team. A lot of these kids have been in situations like that, in big stadiums. A lot of them haven't, so how we react to that I think will be key and we are excited about the opportunity to line up and play."

After the game: "We played at a high level. That defense for Wisconsin wasn't good, but a great defense. They are very well coached. They play football the right way. I was even more impressed after watching the tape twice yesterday. The kids reacted to the road very well. They handled the situation well. We came up a play short at the end. There's no way, shape or form one play wins or loses a game like that. If the kick goes in, yeah it's a game-winning kick, but it didn't win the game alone. I feel the same way about it not going in. There are a lot of young men that you look at who could have made a game-winning play. That's my big thing is to tell the team to do your job and worry about yourself."

Graham: Outside of the disappointment of barely losing that game he was very impressed with the atmosphere there. I know he was frustrated with the fan support at Utah State. Despite producing a winner they barely got 17,000 fans to attend the games.
Q. Utah State ran a spread, which won't fly at Wisconsin. I know Andersen is more defensive-minded, but what are his theories on offense?

Denniston: He loves having a dual-threat quarterback, which is all he's had at USU. While the Aggies are a spread offense, they are pretty balanced. They like to take shots down the field with their speedy receivers, then grind it out on teams, as well.

Graham: He implemented the spread based on the personnel he felt he could recruit at Utah State giving the program the best opportunity to be successful. He has a sharp football mind and will adapt to an offense that will best fit his players at Wisconsin.

Q. How is Andersen regarded as a recruiter? He doesn't seem to have much - if any - experience in the East or Midwest.

Denniston: He's a very good recruiter. He started winning battles against BYU and Utah, which is normally unheard of for the Aggies. While at USU, his emphasis on recruiting focused on three areas: in-state kids, LDS Church missionary kids and Polynesian players. USU also had a pretty good Florida pipeline. He will definitely recruit well at Wisconsin.

Graham: Arguably the best recruiter in the state. He took over a program that was in ruins in the middle of nowhere and found a way to bring great athletes to the school. While his coaching career has been spent on the West Coast it shouldn't take him long to adapt to recruiting the Midwest. He has that innate ability to connect with high school coaches, players and parents.

Q. Wisconsin has three coaches which didn't leave - RB coach Thomas Hammock; OL coach Bart Miller and DB coach Ben Strickland. Could you see Andersen keeping any of these guys, or just bringing in an entire new staff?

Denniston: Not sure to tell you the truth. What I've been hearing is that he's bringing his entire staff with him, which makes sense since DC Dave Aranda turned down a job at Texas Tech and OC Matt Wells turned down a job at NC State. However, Wells could be considered for the USU coaching vacancy.

Graham: Sources have told me he plans on bringing most of his staff but not all of them. That tells me there is a chance he can keep one if not all three of those coaches. Since it's a completely new environment I'm guessing he would want some coaches that know the in's and out's of the program.

Q. Speaking of coming with him, do you think any Utah State players will follow Andersen? On Twitter, both his son Keegan and QB Chuckie Keeton appeared to say they would stay with the Aggies.

Denniston: I think Chuckie and Keegan will stay. I'm sure a few players, perhaps some verbals, will follow him to Madison. He has twin boys who will be freshmen in college next season. One plays linebacker and verbally committed to USU. The other plays wide receiver.

Graham: That's a good question. The players were very loyal to him yet I know some are shocked he's leaving after he originally said he would stay. Time will tell.

Q. What kind of defense does Andersen run? Aggressive? Blitz a lot? Press corners?

Graham: Andersen prefers an aggressive style of defense. He wants corners with speed and the ability to play man press coverage. He likes to confuse offenses with a variety of looks and pressure packages.

Other thoughts:


Denniston: Gary is a great guy. He was easy to work with. Wisconsin is getting a winner and it'll be fun to see him and Urban Meyer battle it out now.

[Icness]

Just stopping in to commend the hiring. This guy is one of the best Xs and Os coaches in the country and one of the best in-game adjusters around. He's recruited the SF Bay area very well despite being in the middle of nowhere in Utah. Getting kids to go to Madison will be much easier with the location, facilities, and tradition. Plus he's got a growing rep as a guy who develops NFL talent, and that is a huge selling point.

This had to have come very quickly because he rebuffed interview offers from Kentucky and Colorado with the excuse that he wouldn't talk to anyone before their bowl game.

[MickeyDavis]

Competent game day coaching will be a breath of fresh air.

[xTitan]

If the OC isn't coming and UW will be running their traditional ground and pound pro style offense, would the QB be as likely to follow Andersen to WI? If he still does follow, I wonder how that might effect Bart Houston.

A couple things I have read, Utah State changed their offense this year to cater to their QB, who was by far their best weapon, I am guessing this Andersen is smart enough to know where his bread is going to be buttered. Bart Houston actually played the veer in high school if you can believe that...he can run and pass, special athlete, also assuming they will see that right away.

[xTitan]

Andersen has played a 3-4 defense at both Utah schools, I am a proponent of the 3-4, will be interesting to see if he chooses that direction here. I don't think it would be a huge leap as UW has often had an undersized DE in their base defense anyway, his hand is just usually on the ground.

[Kerb Hohl]

I think in hindsight, that Utah team that beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl could hang with most of the top 5 this year.

"Defensive Coordinator under a well-known coach from 13-0 team that beat Alabama in their bowl game with a report of being a fiery recruiter."

No, it's not Bob Diaco, it's Andersen.

If you believe that Peterson was never on the table, and Chryst was out of the picture for whatever reason...I'm not sure there would have been a higher choice now that I'm reading into it. Mel Tucker is basically it. I'm starting to see why this guy's pedigree is that of the other up-and-coming non-BCS coaches. As we said before, they were a few shanked field goals from being 12-0 this year with that 2 point loss to the Badgers and a 6-3 BYU loss where they missed one.

[Kerb Hohl]

Denniston: He's a very good recruiter. He started winning battles against BYU and Utah, which is normally unheard of for the Aggies. While at USU, his emphasis on recruiting focused on three areas: in-state kids, LDS Church missionary kids and Polynesian players. USU also had a pretty good Florida pipeline. He will definitely recruit well at Wisconsin.

[LUKE23]

Well, the more I have read, the more I like. The guy is clearly a good defensive coach and just watching/listening to him appears to be a coach players will like to play for. My one true concern at this point is how well he can transition in terms of scheme, with blending what he knows into a pro style attack based on power running. I also hope we retain a few of the assistants with good recruiting ties.

[MickeyDavis]

I'm afraid the coaches we lost are also probably our best recruiters. Sounds as if his recruiting efforts were limited, he's going to have to branch out to a much larger area. He very well may be able to do it, he just hasn't had to do it before.

[Kerb Hohl]

Sounds like he recruited all over the place. Short-term I worry about HS connections but as some posters are saying, I think he will eventually be a good recruiter.

[xTitan]

Sounds like he recruited all over the place. Short-term I worry about HS connections but as some posters are saying, I think he will eventually be a good recruiter.

He really doesn't have any ties in MN, WI, IL, OH and PN....all have been core areas for WI in the recent past......especially the Midwest, this is a pretty big concern.

[MickeyDavis]

Denniston: He's a very good recruiter. He started winning battles against BYU and Utah, which is normally unheard of for the Aggies. While at USU, his emphasis on recruiting focused on three areas: in-state kids, LDS Church missionary kids and Polynesian players. USU also had a pretty good Florida pipeline. He will definitely recruit well at Wisconsin.

Florida is great but Utah, LDS and Polynesian isn't exactly casting a wide net