Badgers set Wednesday presser; Chryst expected to be named coach
MADISON, Wis. -- After a full week of speculation and reports, Paul Chryst is expected to be introduced as Wisconsin's next football coach at a 6 p.m. Wednesday news conference inside the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion at the Kohl Center.
Chryst flew to Madison on Tuesday to meet with school officials. Earlier in the day, he coached what likely was his final practice as Pittsburgh's head coach and informed his team he would be travelling to Wisconsin later in the day.
Chryst, a Madison native, played for the Badgers in the 1980s and returned to serve as the program's offensive coordinator from 2005-11. During his time as offensive coordinator, Wisconsin compiled a 60-19 record and annually ranked among the best in the country.
His hiring seems a natural fit because of his strong ties to the program and the likelihood he will remain there for quite some time. Wisconsin's two previous coaches, Bret Bielema and Gary Andersen, left for Arkansas and Oregon State in the past two years.
The process of officially hiring Chryst took five business days under state law -- a timeframe that was shortened from two weeks at Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez's request. Chryst has been the frontrunner for the job since Andersen left for Oregon State last Wednesday.
From 2009-11, Wisconsin had the Big Ten's best record (32-8) while averaging 39.2 points per game with Chryst in charge of the offense. Chryst, who also coached the quarterbacks, was twice named a finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award, presented annually to college football's top assistant.
In 2011, with Russell Wilson at quarterback and Montee Ball at running back, the Badgers set school records for points per game (44.1), total offense (469.9), total rushing yards (3,298) and total passing yards (3,280).
In three seasons as head coach at Pitt, Chryst compiled a 19-19 record, including 10-13 in conference play, and reached three bowl games. But he also inherited a program that had gone through three other coaches in the span of a year.
Dave Wannstedt resigned at Pitt following the 2010 season and was replaced by Mike Haywood. He was arrested two weeks later on domestic violence charges and was promptly fired Jan. 1, 2011. Todd Graham then was hired on Jan. 10, only to leave in December after just one season with the team.
For more on Chryst's hiring, check back with FOXSportsWisconsin.com later today.
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