Gary Andersen Leaves Wisconsin For Oregon State
Gary Andersen has decided to leave the of Wisconsin Badgers for the Oregon State Beavers. Andersen let Athletic Director Barry Alvarez know of his decision to leave on Tuesday.
Andersen went 19-7 in the two season he spent in Madison. He was previously the head coach at Utah State where he went 26-24 overall. His last season with the Aggies yielded an 11-2 record and a WAC Championship. Andersen fills the void left by Mike Riley’s move to the Nebraska Cornhuskers earlier this month.
We are excited to announce our new head coach, Gary Andersen. Let’s welcome him to Corvallis! #BeaverNation #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/k0ly1RLiVY
— Beavers Football (@OSUBeaversFB) December 10, 2014
“I began working to find a new head coach as soon as I spoke with Gary this morning,” athletic director Barry Alvarez said. “My first concern is taking care of the players on the current team, especially the senior class, and ensuring that their bowl experience is a memorable one. I will find a head coach to uphold the great tradition at Wisconsin, someone who is committed to excellence both on and off the field.
It has been stated that Andersen has struggled with the high academic standards in place at Wisconsin while trying to bring in junior college transfers.
One name that will undoubtedly come up in the search for Andersen’s replacement is current Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Paul Chryst. Chryst was the offensive coordinator at Wisconsin from 2005 through 2011 under Bret Bielema and also played quarterback for the Badgers from 1986-1988.