Varsity Magazzine Vol 3 No 20

IN FOCUS SNOWED IN UW’s football coaches had a great view from their Camp Randall Stadium offices as winter storm Draco rolled into Madison on Thursday. The storm closed most of the UW campus and dumped more than a foot of snow. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

IN FOCUS

WELCOME WALK As part of his whirlwind introduction to Madison new head football coach Gary Andersen got his first look at the Badgers’ newly-renovated facilities in the McClain Center courtesy of UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

DECEMBER 20, 2012 CONTENTS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 20

» HELLO, MR. ANDERSEN Gary Andersen had a number of job opportunities DEPARTMENTS after orchestrating a major turnaround as the head coach at Utah State. What made him jump at the 10 LUCAS AT LARGE 22 chance to take over the Badgers’ program? by Mike Lucas 12 BEHIND THE DESK « REACTION by Barry Alvarez 34 The traits that led 14 THE VOICE his peers to know by Matt Lepay he’d be a successful coach 16 BY THE NUMBERS are also evident to the players Facts and figures on UW Gary Andersen is inheriting as he takes over at Wisconsin. 18 5 THINGS TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers on TV and the web » STATE LINES 42 INSIDE SPORTS Basketball, Wrestling 42 The Wisconsin men’s and women’s basket- 48 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY ball teams both battle for brag- Trey-fecta ging rights this weekend by taking on in-state rivals.

Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711

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Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications

Julia Hujet Editor

Brian Mason Managing Editor

Mike Lucas Senior Writer

Matt Lepay Columnist

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Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Patrick Herb, Ross LaDue, Diane Nordstrom, Anna Poulter-Hendrickson, Jeremy Wodajo

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Andersen won’t run from UW’s strengths

nticipating where the line round draft pick of the Seattle a 500-mile radius. You have to of questioning was headed, Seahawks and Smith was a seventh- recruit Minnesota. You have to go A Wisconsin athletic direc- round selection of the Tampa Bay to Illinois, no farther south than tor Barry Alvarez cut to the chase Buccaneers. Chicago. and said, “We’re going to run the Williams returned to Utah State “We need to get back into St. football. We’re going to do what we and rushed for 1,512 yards this Louis and we need somebody on do now.’’ season. the East Coast. He’s had assistants It was an understandable reac- As a team, the Aggies averaged recruit down in Florida and I want tion to the Aggie, if not the el- 204.8 yards on the ground; 33 to stay in Florida. We have commit- ephant, in the room. yards less than the Badgers. ments there.’’ Make that ex-Aggie. Gary An- “The last two years, we’ve had During his tenure as a Utah as- dersen was known for his spread very talented running backs,’’ said sistant, Andersen was frequently offense at Utah State. Andersen, who also expects Wil- singled out for his recruiting prow- During the interviewing process, liams to be in the NFL. “A year ago, ess. In 2005, he was cited as the No. Alvarez made it clear what his in- we were a power run team. This 1 non-BCS recruiter in the nation by tentions were. year, we had to run it differently.’’ Rivals.com. “I asked each of them (the can- The 5-foot-8, 189-pound Wil- What makes a good recruiter? didates) about their system,’’ he liams had a different skill set than “Tenacity, care, communication said. “I’m not going to let somebody the 5-10, 222-pound Turbin, and skills,’’ Andersen said. “It’s being come in here and run a no backs, that dictated what the Aggies could able to handle every different family spread them out and throw every do. Williams finished as the team’s environment that is possibly out down offense.’’ second-leading receiver. there. This is not to say that the Bad- Utah State quarterback Chuckie “It’s the ability to consistently gers haven’t incorporated the Keeton also factored into the run- stay a step ahead of the game and spread into their attack, because ning game. Keeton led the Aggies involve the people who are really they most certainly have. You will in rushing against the Badgers (15 involved in the recruiting process, see them in empty backfield sets carries for 75) and was the team’s whether it’s a grandmother, father more now than ever before. second-leading rusher overall. or coach. Alvarez made his point, though. Andersen would love to run some “If you’re at a place like the Uni- So did Andersen when he stressed option with the Badgers. But if that versity of Wisconsin, you’re going that running the football will be piece to the puzzle isn’t there, he’s to get into every door in the coun- first and foremost in his Wiscon- not going to force it, either. Such try. But what makes you different is sin game plan, regardless of who’s calls are always based on the avail- those relationships that you build.’’ named offensive coordinator. able personnel. Alvarez won’t waste any time Utah State made his argument. Alvarez anticipated that ques- acclimating Andersen to his new In 2011, the Aggies averaged tion, too — the one about recruiting. surroundings. 282.7 rushing yards per game while Yes, he’s very confident in Anders- “I’ll give him full access the next feeding the rock to three differ- en’s recruiting abilities even though week,’’ he said. “I want him to get ent tailbacks: Robert Turbin (1,517 he has no Big Ten connection. His around the kids and get to know yards), Michael Smith (870) and staff will be connected. them. I want him to come out to Kerwynn Williams (542). “I told Gary that you have to practice and see our personnel and Turbin and Smith are both on close up our state,’’ Alvarez said, get a jump on things.’’ NFL rosters. Turbin was a fourth- “and you’ve got to recruit within Call it a running start.

10 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM BEHIND THE DESK BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Successful search leads to great choice hings happen fast in a coach- first priority was a sitting head a sounding board? How vocal will ing search, and you have to coach. you be? How can I use you? They Tbe flexible. If I could find the right person, I were all good questions. During the season, you have a wanted someone with that experi- I told them that I’m going to short list. But it’s changing all the ence. But I didn’t want to limit my- stay low-profile. I’m going to watch time when coaches are fired and self. That’s why I wasn’t adamant practices and, in my own way, hired. So you have to have knowl- that it had to be a head coach. evaluate the assistant coaches. edge of who’s out there and who A lot of times in a coaching If I see something that stands might be interested. search, you’re making contact with out that I think they should know One thing became obvious dur- an intermediary, or a coach’s agent. about, I will tell them. If I see some- ing the process: people respect Sometimes you reach out to them. thing in a game that I recognize, I our program. A lot of people were Sometimes they reach out to you. will tell them. interested in the job. After one practice, I had an agent I think there’s some knowledge There were some I knew would show up unannounced, and he that I would be foolish not to im- be a good fit. There were some that started selling me on his client. But part with them if I saw something I watched from afar and I was im- he wouldn’t tell me his name. that could potentially hurt us. Or pressed with their teams and how Finally I said, “Enough of all of something that could help us. they played and I was able to follow this nonsense. Tell me who the hell I also told them that I would up on them. the coach is?’’ guide them through some things There were some people who He told me and I said, “I know and get them accustomed to this were interested but were loyal to him and I’m not hiring him. I’m not community. I felt it was important their administration, feeling like even going to talk to him.’’ they know I want them out there they hadn’t taken their program far I could see where some people and expect them to be involved. enough yet, and if they left, they’d could use this job opening for lever- They’re going to have to go out be starting from scratch. age if they wanted it out there that and sell our program — not only in Or they had a family situation I was talking to them. But I didn’t this community but to the people where they didn’t want to uproot come across that. It was pretty around the state of Wisconsin and their kids. I can respect that be- confidential. to our alums around the country. cause there were times when I had During the interviewing, I was I definitely feel like we have the to make those decisions. accompanied by Sean Frazier and right guy in Gary Andersen. We It’s a constant process and we Walter Dickey. It got to where we have someone who’s going to be a just kept moving forward until we could anticipate the first question fit; someone who has the qualities I got to the point where I felt we had we were going to get: the assistant was looking for. three good candidates that met coaches salary pool. Gary is someone who under- everything I was looking for, and We’d laugh and I’d say, “Oh, stands our system, someone who really fit our situation. that’s interesting that you would really wants to be here, someone We did our due diligence. We ask about that first.’’ who cares about kids and someone talked to the right people and I feel All those who asked the question who will indentify with our fans. good about the way it all worked were fine with where we were with When you hear Gary Andersen, out. the salaries, too. you’ll know that he’s a football guy, I did talk to one person with real A lot of people that I talked to a ball coach. strong ties to the program. But I wanted to know about me. What’s I couldn’t be happier with the didn’t feel that was necessary. My your involvement? Can I use you as choice.

12 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS THE VOICE MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS

Andersen and Alvarez share similarities he similarities are striking. mance in last week’s 41-15 Famous dall had an up-close look at USU. Defensive backgrounds, Idaho Potato Bowl victory against Dual-threat quarterback Chuckie Tincluding a run as a highly- Toledo. Keeton caused problems, throwing successful coordinator. One at Last summer, when the Badgers’ for two touchdowns. He also led Notre Dame, the other at Utah. coaches were at various functions the team with 75 rushing yards. Both men presided over defenses talking about the upcoming sea- For most of the night, the defense that went into shutdown mode in son, they advised fans that Utah was very stingy, as the Badgers major bowl games. State was for real. As you might managed just 234 yards of total They took over downtrodden expect, there were some in the offense. Linebackers Jake Doughty programs and made them winners. crowd who just figured that was and Zach Vigil, as well as safety Before Barry Alvarez arrived in coachspeak. Brian Suite, were very active. Madison, the Badgers were 9-36 Credit Wisconsin for hanging on the previous four seasons. to beat what turned out to be an When Gary Andersen took the A couple of weeks excellent team. top job at Utah State, the Aggies ago, my advice was Credit Utah State for proving were — you guessed it — 9-36 the to trust the process. it could play with anybody, and previous four seasons. very nearly beat everybody on its When Alvarez stepped on the In today’s world, two schedule. UW campus in 1990, the Badgers weeks might seem A couple of weeks ago, my were losing way too many recruit- like an eternity. Many advice was to trust the process. In ing battles. He changed that. folks were getting today’s world, two weeks might He brought in players who fit seem like an eternity. his system. He had players who more nervous by the Many folks were getting more believed in the plan. day, if not by the hour. nervous by the day, if not by the The Badgers started winning, Fortunately, the one hour. and eventually won big. Along the Fortunately, the one person way, they sent a number of players person who remained who remained calm — or should I to the NFL. calm — or should I say, did not flinch — was Alvarez. When Andersen arrived in say, did not flinch — Remember, he’s a proud graduate Logan in 2009, the Aggies were was Alvarez. of “Handlin’ School.” losing way too many recruiting That said, I want to avoid mak- battles. He changed that. ing bold predictions about how Like the man who hired him in The Aggies? Who? Don’t know well Gary Andersen’s teams will Madison, Andersen brought in bet- much about them. perform in Madison, and to be ter players, including many of the I remember the night before the sure, as much as he and Alvarez best in the state of Utah. He made Badgers played at Oregon State, seem to have in common, it is them believe the Aggies could play Utah State was hosting Utah. It important to let Andersen be his with anyone. was a great game, with the Aggies own man. The Aggies started winning. winning in overtime 27-20. I was But Alvarez’s formula has This year they won big, enjoying thinking, uh oh, those UW coaches worked well. So has Andersen’s. the best season in school history, were not kidding. It sure seems like a good fit, capped by a dominating perfor- A week later, fans at Camp Ran- doesn’t it?

14 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS BY THE NUMBERS GARY ANDERSEN

« Along with Wisconsin, Utah State is one of only four schools in the nation to have a 1,500-yard rusher in each of the last two seasons. Aggies RB Kerwynn Williams ran 4for 1,512 yards this season. Under Andersen’s direction, the Aggies won a 11school-record 11 games in 2012. That includes Utah State’s first win in a bowl game since 1993.

Andersen led Utah State to its first national ranking since 1978 – a span of 34 years – this season. The Aggies have been ranked in the last three 34 Associated Press Top 25 polls.

This15.4 year’s Utah State team ranks eighth nationally in scoring defense, giving up 15.4 points per game. In 2008, the year prior to Andersen’s arrival, the Aggies ranked 106th in the country (34.7 points per game).

In his first three seasons as head coach, Andersen’s Utah State program produced six NFL draft picks.

» VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 20126 16 11 5 THINGS TO WATCH DEC. 20 - 26

SATURDAY 12/22 • 10:30 AM • BTN

Insider access • The Journey: Big Ten Football Go behind the scenes with The Journey at the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game. Spoiler alert: the Badgers win!

1 SATURDAY 12/22 • 11 AM • BTN The Best Of The Journey • The Journey: Big Ten Football Stay settled in on the couch for The Journey’s Best of - Part #1 and Part #2. Catch all of the highlights from the 2012 football season and see exclusive interviews.

SATURDAY 12/22 • 8:15 PM • BTN 2 Saturday night finale • Men’s basketball vs. Milwaukee End your Saturday with the Badgers as the Wisconsin men’s basketball team hosts Milwaukee live on BTN at 8:15 p.m.

SUNDAY 12/23 • 7 PM • GreenBayPhoenix.com 3 Sunday hoops • Women’s basketball at Green Bay A four-game win streak is put to the test when Wisconsin travels to Green Bay for a non-conference matchup. Fans can watch the game live on GreenBayPhoenix.com.

SUNDAY 12/23 • 7:20 PM • NBC 4 Sunday Night Football • 49ers at Seahawks Russell Wilson and the Seahawks welcome San Francisco to Seattle for an NFC West matchup. The Seahawks are a perfect 6-0 at Centurylink Field and are riding a three- game win streak. 518 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 2 4 PATH TO PASADENA Take a look inside the Badgers’ preparations for the 99th Rose Bowl Game. Look for additional episodes in upcoming issues of Varsity as Wisconsin prepares to take on Stanford on Jan. 1.

20 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 PATH TO PASADENA FINDING THE RIGHT FIT DAVID STLUKA Gary Andersen may not be a familiar name around these parts, but his brand of football will feel right at home in Wisconsin FINDING THE RIGHT FIT BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM he first time that Gary Andersen mous Idaho Potato Bowl. Ohio, coached by Frank showed up on Barry Alvarez’s radar Solich, a former Alvarez teammate at Nebraska, was during Utah State’s near-upset of erased a 13-point third-quarter deficit and scored Auburn in the 2011 opener. Despite with 13 seconds left to upend the Aggies, 24-23. being a three-touchdown favorite, the Alvarez later spoke with Solich and “Frankie TTigers, defending national champions, had to rally raved about Utah State. So I kept an eye on them,’’ from a 10-point deficit in the final 3:38 to escape especially since the Aggies were on Wisconsin’s with a 42-38 win. 2012 schedule. “I then saw first-hand how good “I was really impressed with the way Utah State they were,’’ Alvarez said. “They outplayed us here played,’’ recalled Alvarez, the Wisconsin athletic with guys that weren’t as talented.’’ director. “They were physical and they weren’t in- On Sept. 15, Utah State’s tenacious defense held timidated even though they were on the road. They the UW offense to only one touchdown and 234 to- outplayed Auburn and should have won the game. tal yards, 156 rushing. But the Aggies gave up an So I started following them.’’ 82-yard punt return for a touchdown by Kenzel The next time that Alvarez took notice of Ander- Doe and missed a 37-yard field goal with six sec- sen and his Utah State team was in the 2011 Fa- onds left to fall short of the upset, 16-14. ICON SPORTS MEDIA

24 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 During his postgame news conference, Andersen “He’s a legitimate guy – refused to single out his placekicker. Instead, he said, “We had an opportunity to win against a qual- no false pretenses, no big ity opponent. We expected to win when we walked ego – he’s a ball coach,’’ in here (Camp Randall) and we didn’t get it done. They made one more play than we did.’’ Alvarez observed. “What Alvarez filed everything away and put Andersen you see is what you get. on his short list; a pool of potential head coaching Whatever he says, he’s candidates that every athletic director compiles out of self-preservation. When Bret Bielema left for Ar- going to do, and he says kansas in early December, Alvarez went to his list this is his destination job.’’ and sought out the right fit. The search eventually led Alvarez to the 48-year- old Andersen. After a couple of phone conversa- neapolis. Alvarez liked what he heard — confirm- tions before and after Utah State’s bowl win over ing what others had been saying about Andersen. Toledo, the two met face-to-face Monday in Min- That included Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, one of Andersen’s mentors. In 2004, Meyer was Utah’s head coach and Andersen coached the defensive line. Those Utes, quarterbacked by Alex Smith, capped a perfect 12-0 season with a 35-7 thumping of Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl. Meyer’s defensive coordinator was Kyle Whittingham, another mentor to Andersen who is now Utah’s head coach. “I talked to Urban about him (Andersen),’’ Al- varez said. “He’s had some very good assistants, like Whittingham. Urban told me that Gary is in the top five of all of them; he’s the real deal. I said, ‘Would he fit here? Would he fit in the Big Ten?’ He said, ‘Absolutely.’’’ Alvarez was already sold on Andersen based on what he knew and what his instincts were telling him. “He’s a legitimate guy — no false pretenses, no big ego — he’s a ball coach,’’ he observed. “What you see is what you get. Whatever he says, he’s going to do, and he says this is his destination job.’’ Alvarez was joined in Minneapolis by deputy athletic director Sean Frazier and senior associ- ate athletic director Walter Dickey. After listening to Andersen talk about his plan and philos- ophies, Dickey turned to Alvarez and said, “If I had a blindfold on, I would have thought I was listening to you.’’ ● ● ● ●

25 VIDEO: Q&A WITH GARY ANDERSEN

One of Andersen’s earliest mentors was a for- ter the bowl game. So there was no opportunity for mer Wisconsin assistant coach, Ron McBride, Andersen to address his status at a team meeting. who coached the offensive line for the late Dave His biggest concern was “they’re going to learn McClain in the early ‘80s. about it through ESPN.’’ McBride recruited Andersen out of Ricks Col- Although it was out of his control at that point, lege (now BYU-Idaho in Rexburg), groomed him he didn’t want them to hear it that way. as a center at Utah when he was his position coach “So I reached out to them — 107 times,’’ he said and later mentored him as a member of his staff. of his individual calls to each player on the roster. “There are a lot of things that I believe in,’’ An- “Probably seven or eight, I got their voicemail and dersen said, “and the number one key in coaching I haven’t gotten a hold of them yet.’’ is that I always talk about taking care of the kids Obviously, it would have been easier to send out first. a text message to the group. “I believe that as a head coach, and anybody’s “But I just couldn’t do that,’’ Andersen said. “So I who’s ever going to work for me is going to put the picked up the phone and started calling them one kids first. That was Mac’s deal. That was- impor at a time. The kids were awesome, too.’’ tant to him.’’ They were understandably unhappy to hear the On Tuesday, Andersen began calling his Utah news that he was going to Wisconsin. State players, one by one. “But almost everyone said, ‘Coach, we under- “I couldn’t tell them yet that I had taken the job,’’ stand,’’’ he recounted. he said. “But I told them if I was offered the job I In late November, Andersen was linked to job was going to take the job. There were a bunch of openings at Cal, Kentucky and Colorado. tears and hard conversations.’’ At the time, he expressed publicly that he had Since Utah State was on holiday break, most of no intention of leaving Utah State in the context the players didn’t return to the Logan campus af- that he loved coaching and living In Logan, and he

26 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 didn’t see himself as a fit in any of those programs. gained a tremendous amount of respect watching “When I said no then,’’ he pointed out, “I said no them. to those different places.’’ “It’s not just how good they are. I watched how The Wisconsin job wasn’t open then. they carried themselves. I can get a pretty good feel But after Bielema bolted, and Andersen got to if they like to play football and like to be around interview for the job, there was no question in his each other when I watch a team. mind where he needed to be. “This was an oppor- “That’s important to me, so there was a lot of in- tunity,’’ he said, “to be at the highest level.’’ trigue after watching all of their games on offense Moreover, he had gotten a “feel’’ for the players and defense. We knew it was a tremendous chal- that he would be inheriting while he was breaking lenge, but I had to see how their kids played.’’ down tape of the Badgers in preparation for Utah After all of his film study on the Badgers, he State’s trip to Madison in September. came away thinking, “There’s a toughness factor. “I got an excellent opportunity to study Wiscon- There’s a want-to factor. And there’s a blue-collar sin football all summer because we were playing work ethic.’’ them,’’ he said of his personnel breakdown. “I In sum, Andersen said those are the types of DAVID STLUKA

27 “It’s not just how good they mated — a high-profile, BCS conference job or not. “It needs to be the right fit,’’ he stressed, echoing are,” Andersen said of the her sentiments. Badgers. “I watched how “Once I told her my belief this was the perfect they carried themselves. spot for us, and really the only spot for us — an ex- tremely high level of football where I wanted to get I can get a pretty good feel one day — she basically said, ‘I know you want it.’’’ if they like to play football That was her blessing to go after the Wisconsin job. and like to be around each On Wednesday afternoon, Gary and Stacey An- other when I watch a team.” dersen flew to Madison with one of their twin sons, Chasen. They were joined by Utah State recruiting coordinator Zach Nyborg. players that he wanted to be around and coach. Chasen, a linebacker, and twin Hagen, a wide That came up in conversation with his wife, Stacey receiver, graduated from high school early and when they discussed making the move to Wiscon- were planning on enrolling at Utah State in Janu- sin. ary. That has been put on hold, for now. “Stacey just wanted me to coach the kind of kids “They’re going to take four months off and let that I want to coach,’’ Andersen reiterated. “That’s the dust settle,’’ said Andersen, whose oldest son, all she really cared about. She wanted to make Keegan, is a sophomore tight end with the Aggies. sure I’m not going to chase a job …’’ “He’s 22 and can take care of himself.’’ For the mere sake of chasing a job — she inti- ● ● ● ●

28 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012

The book on Gary Andersen is that he has one — “The first thing that Gary a book outlining his plan and policies. “My whole life basically as a head football coach asked me was about academ- is outlined from A to Z,’’ he said. “The book walked ics and what we do to support Barry through everything from our discipline policy to our plan to win to our core values.’’ our athletes,’’ Alvarez said. While he was a Notre Dame assistant, Alvarez “He then talked about his also had a book that he took on job interviews. beliefs. He doesn’t have a lot “The first thing that Gary asked me was about academics and what we do to support our athletes,’’ of rules, but the rules that he Alvarez said. “He then talked about his beliefs. has, he’s going to enforce.” “He doesn’t have a lot of rules, but the rules that he has, he’s going to enforce. And when someone breaks a rule, he’s going to come down on them. “All of his philosophy was in the book, and he was No. 25 nationally in rushing offense (204.1 yards able to articulate exactly what he wants. He’s about per game). fundamentals, being physical, running the football “We want to run the ball, but you have to be ex- and stopping the run.’’ plosive and you have to be able to take shots down Alvarez saw that with his own eyes in September. the field consistently, whether through play-action “The first thing we want to be able to do is run or your route combinations. the football,’’ said Andersen, whose Aggies ranked “That’s important because here you can recruit

30 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 DAVID STLUKA big, strong, physical offensive linemen because When asked if he felt that his lack of Midwest ties they’re here (the Midwest). They’re going to be a would be a hindrance, Andersen responded mat- part of the program and have been forever. ter-of-factly, “I don’t see it as any problem whatso- “If we have the right quarterback, I think it’s a ever for me personally.’’ very vicious weapon to be able to have a phase of In the next breath, he posed rhetorically, “Do I the option in your game. It just depends on the want to have people on the staff that are familiar pieces of the puzzle that are there.’’ with the territory? Absolutely. That’s a big step and This season, Utah State had the eighth-best scor- an important part of the recruiting process.’’ ing defense in the country. Andersen sounded like he already had a pulse of “I wouldn’t say we’re overly aggressive,’’ Ander- what can succeed at Wisconsin. sen said, “but we’re an aggressive defense that will “I’m going to say this about 5,000 times while I’m give you a lot of looks. We play with a lot of differ- the head coach here,’’ he suggested. “But I have a ent packages. We’ll carry five into games. pretty good feeling of the type of young men who “It’s important for a couple of reasons. Number want to be involved in this program … one, it causes some confusion and issues for the of- “…. and have been involved for years and years fense. Number two, it involves a lot of players in and years. the football game.’’ “I feel very comfortable walking into their homes Andersen has an outstanding reputation as a re- and presenting the University of Wisconsin foot- cruiter. It can be traced, in part, back to the lessons ball program. There are plenty of opportunities to that he learned from McBride in the “world of re- find the right fits for young men to come here.’’ cruiting’’ and to taking care of the players first. Replicating his own path from Logan to Madison.

NATURAL SELECTION From his mentors in the coaching profession to the Badgers he inherits in Madison, the consensus is that Gary Andersen will fit right in as the head coach at Wisconsin

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM DAVID STLUKA NATURAL SELECTION From his mentors in the coaching profession to the Badgers he inherits in Madison, the consensus is that Gary Andersen will fit right in as the head coach at Wisconsin

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM

isconsin’s starting linebackers Alluding to Taylor, Borland and Armstrong — — Mike Taylor, Chris Borland the three leading tacklers on the UW defense — and Ethan Armstrong — were Andersen said, “All three of those kids are as good among the first to greet new as you’ll see.’’ head coach Gary Andersen late Andersen will get to see a lot more of Borland WWednesday afternoon. and Armstrong when he takes over the team fol- They waited outside of athletic director Barry lowing Wisconsin’s appearance against Stanford Alvarez’s office for a chance to meet Andersen, the in the Rose Bowl. Taylor is the lone senior in the former Utah State coach. Andersen was getting a trio. quick tour of Kellner Hall and Camp Randall Sta- “I’m excited,’’ said Borland, a junior from Ket- dium. tering, Ohio. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about “And we just wanted to say hello,’’ Borland said. him. Obviously, we played them this year and they But it went beyond Midwest hospitality; or even were coached-up. curiosity in the hire. “I’m anxious to see what he can do with our Borland has become a favorite in the Andersen guys.’’ household. On Sept. 15, the Badgers slipped past Utah State, “It goes back to the summer,’’ Andersen said. “I 16-14. told my son (Chasen), ‘He’s not the tallest line- “They had a great offensive scheme,’’ Borland backer in the world. But watch this guy, and you’ll said. “Their guys weren’t the best athletes we see someone special.’’’ faced all year, but they were always in the right “From the first snap, you could tell that they were excited to play,” Borland said of Andersen’s Aggies. “They just exuded confidence and looked very comfortable doing what they do. They fought to the end and had a chance to win.’’

position. That made them difficult to beat. “From the first snap, you could tell that they were excited to play. They just exuded confidence and looked very comfortable doing what they do. They fought to the end and had a chance to win.’’ Utah State missed a 37-yard field goal with six seconds left. “They went into the game believing that they could win,’’ said UW tight end Jacob Pedersen. “You can definitely tell the difference when a team comes in thinking, believing they can win. “Those guys believed. They had a great game plan for us and they shut down a lot of the things that we liked to do. We had to earn everything we got against them.’’ Montee Ball rushed for 139 yards, but it took him 37 carries. He averaged 3.8 per rush. Wisconsin’s longest run from scrimmage was 17 yards; a Ball touchdown with 3:06 remaining. “They were physical up front; they came out with a lot of energy,’’ said Pedersen, who had one of only seven pass receptions. Quarterbacks Danny O’Brien and Joel Stave were a combined 7-of-16 for 78 yards. “You can tell when a team comes out with what I’ll say is fake energy,’’ Pedersen went on. “They’re pumped up and ready to go. But once the game starts and you start hitting them, you can tell. “They might back off a little bit or they’ll start looking around. But with Utah State, every time you hit them, they hit you back harder. They were ADAM TURNER

36 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012 very well-coached and prepared.’’ Pedersen, a junior from Menominee, Mich., was studying for a final exam Tuesday when he heard that Andersen was leaving Utah State and taking the Wisconsin job. “I’m anxious to get to meet him — and talk with him — and see what he has to say,’’ said Pedersen. “I’m excited to work with him because I respected the way they went about their business.’’ Meanwhile, Borland hinted that Bret Bielema’s departure and the coaching search was business as usual for a team that has had an inordinate number of setbacks that have affected continuity. “I’ll have my fourth linebackers coach next season,’’ he said. “There are pros and cons to it. I’m not totally against it all the time. There’s some dif- ficulty in adjusting. But that’s all part of the game.’’ Asked if Andersen’s hiring added stability, he said, “I don’t think there was ever a lack of stability internally. Perhaps outside the program people’s nerves will be calmed a little having a guy at the helm.’’ Andersen’s presence on campus right now is re- assuring from one perspective. “We’ll get an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with him,’’ Borland said. ● ● ● ● Ron McBride saw something in Gary Andersen from the first time he watched him compete on the line of scrimmage as a starting center for Cot- tonwood High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. There was an uncommon toughness that made a lasting impression. “I’ve known him since he was 15 or 16 years old,’’ said McBride, a former UW offensive line coach, who had head coaching stints at Utah (1990-2002) and Weber State (2005-2009) Out of high school, Andersen went to Ricks Col- lege before transferring to Utah. “He was a tough kid, a very tough kid,’’ said Mc- Bride, who was Andersen’s position coach with the Utes. “He was about 285 or 290 pounds back then and he was a throwback kind of guy. “He’d play even when he was hurt. He was a natural leader in the offensive line; the first guy in the

37 ADAM TURNER

VIDEO: GARY ANDERSEN MIC’D UP

weight room and the last guy to leave. Other play- want to play for him. He knows how to communi- ers followed him — whatever he did. cate with them. He knows how to make them want “And, usually, when he talked, they listened. He to play. He has a feel for that part of it.’’ had a lot of good qualities as a youngster.’’ McBride, now 73, couldn’t be more pleased by McBride sensed then that Andersen would Andersen’s career move. make a good coach. “Wisconsin is one of the best jobs in the coun- “He was a natural fit for coaching,’’ he said. try,’’ he said. “Saturday is important. Everybody Fit has been the operative word in conjunction in that stadium comes there for one reason and with Andersen’s transition. that’s to win. “Oh, man, when he told me he was going to Wis- “The whole atmosphere is one you don’t forget consin, I did back flips, so did my wife,’’ said Mc- no matter how long you’ve been in this profession. Bride, who still stays in contact with many of his The best thing is that if you win, you get to polka.’’ former Badgers linemen, like Bob Landsee. ● ● ● ● “I told Gary that recruiting is a lot more compet- itive in the Big Ten. The week-in and the week-out McBride has influenced many young players is a lot tougher, too. But I loved coaching in that and assistants, like Utah head coach Kyle Whit- league.’’ tingham, who just happens to be one of Anders- McBride feels that Andersen is also a “natural’’ en’s closest friends in the business. as a recruiter because of his “personality.’’ What- “He (McBride) was the guy who gave me the ever adjustments have to be made, McBride said, first opportunity to coach Division I football,’’said “He’ll figure it out fast; he’s a smart kid.’’ Whittingham whose father, Fred, was McBride’s Andersen-coached teams have established an defensive coordinator. “I’ll forever be indebted to identity for playing hard. him.’’ “That’s his signature,’’ McBride said. “The kids Whittingham and Andersen first crossed paths

38 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012

“The bottom line is that Apprised of the UW job, Whittingham said, “It sounded like a great opportunity. “These opportu- he’s a ball coach. It doesn’t nities don’t come along all that often. There are a matter where you put him, lot of good coaches who don’t get them.’’ he’s going to excel...his That was his input to Andersen. Despite the dis- cussion on whether Andersen’s recruiting skills track record bears that will be diminished on unfamiliar turf, Whitting- out,” Whittingham said. ham doesn’t think it will be an issue. “Recruiting is recruiting,’’ he said. “There are geographic differences, but the bottom line in re- as assistants at Idaho State in the early ’90s. cruiting is being able to sell the player and his par- “He was an outstanding offensive line coach,’’ ents on your program. Whittingham said of Andersen, “before I person- “Gary has that ability. He’s a proven commodity ally got him to come over to the dark side (defense), in recruiting. I don’t care if you recruit on the East and he adjusted right away. Coast or the West Coast — North or South — the “The bottom line is that he’s a ball coach. It basics means everything. And he has those basics.’’ doesn’t matter where you put him, he’s going to Per usual, it starts with passion. excel. He can obviously handle the defensive side “That’s a common denominator with almost very well. His track record bears that out.’’ all good football coaches,’’ Whittingham said. Whittingham and Andersen keep in touch “There’s a passion for the game. You have to have throughout the season and offseason. that. You can’t survive in this profession without “We’ve kind of meshed our worlds together,’’ it.’’ Andersen said. It would seem to be a part of the “it’’ factor with As a result, Whittingham has been an Andersen Andersen. sounding board, and vice versa. “He’s a natural,’’ McBride repeated.

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INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL BY PATRICK HERB @BadgerMBB

SCHEDULE (7-4, 0-0) Last Week 12/8 at Marquette L, 50-60 12/12 Green Bay W, 65-54

This Week Saturday Milwaukee 8:15 p.m.

Next Five Dec. 29 Samford 1 p.m. Jan. 3 Penn State 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Nebraska TBA Jan. 12 Illinois 1:15 p.m. Jan. 15 at Indiana 8 p.m.

to finish in four years to be able to do that,” Evans said after earning his un- dergraduate degree in August. “I can’t say it was easy, but it was worth the long hours and late nights.” Evans admits the rigors of grad school have resulted in some adjustments, including shifts in his sleep- ing habits, but he does not regret taking on the heavy task of attending Higher learning: Evans three-hour classes throughout the course of a week while playing a ma- embraces grad school jor Division I sport. Senior is pursuing master’s degree at UW “Earning a graduate degree has always been something that’s important to me,” Evans added. “Hav- yan Evans began his fi- The Phoenix, Ariz., native ing the opportunity to attend grad Rnal campaign at Wis- is spending his last year of el- school is a huge step in anyone’s life, consin as the Big Ten’s top igibility in Wisconsin’s grad- but to earn it at a university with this returning rebounder, finish- uate program, where he will kind of academic reputation really ing fifth overall a year ago. receive his master’s degree puts me in great position to succeed The 6-foot-6 forward has in education leadership and whenever I’m done playing.” spent three years hitting the policy analysis later this year. boards with reckless aban- “I really wanted to pursue Intra-state interest don, and it’s now clear that graduate school, but I knew I » UW has faced all three in-state Di- he hits the books with the had to handle business as an vision I foes every season under Bo same intensity. undergrad and stay on pace Ryan, compiling a 28-7 record.

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INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM @BadgerWBBall

SCHEDULE (7-3, 0-0) Last Five Nov. 28 at Virginia Tech L, 38-47 Dec. 1 Alabama W, 69-50 Dec. 5 Marquette W, 71-68 Dec. 10 Florida Atlantic W, 82-73 OT Dec. 15 Eastern Illinois W, 76-47

This Week Sunday at Green Bay 7 p.m.

Next Five Dec. 28 vs. Delaware State * 4 p.m. Dec. 29 TBA * TBA Jan. 2 at Nebraska 7 p.m. Jan. 6 Minnesota 2 p.m. Jan. 10 Iowa 7 p.m. * at Miami Invitational, Miami, Fla.

Gulczynski honored » Sophomore Jacki Gulczynski was named the Big Ten Co-Player of the Week, the first Badgers player to earn the league honor since the 2007-08 season. The 6-foot-1 forward posted back-to-back double- doubles, setting career highs in ‘Best in state’ bragging points and rebounds in consecutive games. rights on line Sunday Gulczynski started the week off Wisconsin faces Green Bay for state crown strong, picking up her first career double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds against he title of the best team Milwaukee. Florida Atlantic on Dec. 10. She Tin the state is on the line The Phoenix defeated also added three assists in a ca- Sunday when Wisconsin (7- Marquette, 55-46, on Dec. reer-high 38 minutes of play. 3) travels to Green Bay (7-2). 8 and will play Milwaukee Against Eastern Illinois last Sat- Wisconsin improved to twice in Horizon League urday, Gulczynski scored UW’s 2-0 against the other Divi- play. Marquette and Mil- first 11 points and was a perfect sion I teams in the state of waukee do not play each 8-for-8 from the field to start the Wisconsin with a 71-68 vic- other this season. game. She finished with career and tory over Marquette on Dec. The Badgers have not game highs of 24 points and 13 re- 5. The Badgers opened the beaten all three in-state ri- bounds, while adding three assists season with a 74-56 win over vals since 2008. and two blocks in the 76-47 win.

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INSIDE WRESTLING BY RYAN EVANS @Badger_Wrestle

SCHEDULE (5-2, 2-0) Coming Up Dec. 29 Midlands Championships * Dec. 30 Midlands Championships *

* at Welsh-Ryan Arena; Evanston, Ill.

on the opening weekend of the conference season, defeating Michigan State’s Nick McDiarmid in a 4-0 decision and Nebraska’s Caleb Kolb in a 3-1 sudden victory decision. Wisconsin head coach Barry Da- vis said after the Badgers’ win over Northern Iowa on Nov. 24, where Hein won an 8-2 decision over the Panthers’ A.J. McBroom, that Hein is gaining a better feel for the sport, thanks in part to the work he’s put in with assistant coach Trevor Brand- vold. “Trevor has done a great job with him so far this year,” Davis said. “Jackson is starting to feel the posi- tions a lot more, which comes from Hein blossoming under repetition, taking time to visualize his wrestling and building from there.” Brandvold’s tutelage For Hein, emulating Brandvold 197-lb. starter is undefeated in dual meets isn’t a bad idea. The Wisconsin assistant coach wrestled for the Badgers from 2006-11 and was a two-time uring the Wisconsin pressive 10-2 overall record. All-American and two-time Big Ten Dwrestling team’s early- Just midway through the champion at Hein’s 197 lbs. weight season turnaround, one in- season, Hein is already just class. dividual wrestler was engi- two wins short of his dual If Hein’s early-season results are neering a turnaround of his wins total from last season, any indication, the work with Brand- own. when the Wausau, Wis., na- vold is paying off, something Davis is Redshirt junior Jackson tive went 9-8 in duals and excited about. Hein, the Badgers’ starter at 10-12 overall. “Jackson is doing a great job,” Da- 197 lbs., is an undefeated 7-0 Hein has helped Wiscon- vis said after the Michigan State dual. in dual meet competitions sin to a 2-0 start to Big Ten “He’s off to a good start and I couldn’t this season, as well as an im- competition. He went 2-0 be happier for him.”

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THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY

UW finished 2010-11 with a school-record 278 3-pointers, a mark it passed by seven in 2011-12.

December 23, 2010 Trey-fecta The men’s basketball team set a school record with 17 made 3-pointers in an 80-56 win over Coppin State. Jon Leuer hit five treys to lead the way for UW, while Jordan Taylor and Tim Jarmusz each added four.

December 21, 1983 HANGING FROM THE RAFTERS: Theresa Huff’s jersey became the only number retired in UW women’s basketball history. The 5-foot-11 center played from 1979-83 and finished her four-year career at UW with 30 school records, six of which were all- time men’s and women’s records. ALSO December 23, 1993 THIS 100-PLUS: The men’s basketball team beat Mississippi Valley State, 115-79, in the WEEK sixth game of an 11-game win streak. The 115 points were the second-highest mark in UW history.

December 23, 2004 HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: The men’s basketball crushed UNC Greensboro, 85-53, to win its 34th-consecutive home game, a school record.

48 » VARSITY DECEMBER 20, 2012