Columnist Jim Polzin reacts to the decision to fire Wisconsin football coach Paul Chryst.
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Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst watches from the sideline during the season opener Sept. 3 against Illinois State.
Jim Leonhard takes it to the house as he returns a punt for a 63-yard touchdown late in the game to tie Purdue. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 26-23 Oct. 18, 2003, at Camp Randall Stadium.
University of Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh delivers his opening statement, discussing the dismissal of football coach Paul Chryst Sunday in Camp Randal Stadium.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold enters the field with his team before a game against Iowa State earlier this season in Lawrence, Kan. (Reed Hoffmann, Associated Press)
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh discusses the 'fit' of interim coach Jim Leonhard, along with his 'competitiveness,' 'ability to lead' and teach Sunday inside Camp Randall Stadium. He also answers questions about how long has the evaluation of the program has been on his mind and on a potential coaching search. Leonhard also comments on any potential changes with staff.
University of Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh answers questions from reporters Sunday inside Camp Randall Stadium regarding the reason to name Jim Leonhard interim coach and dismiss Paul Chryst, Chryst's buyout dollar amount, and how the players were informed of the news.
Former University of Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas speaks during The Varsity Collective news conference Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Madison.
Current, former players react to Paul Chryst's firing as Wisconsin football coach
Braelon Allen
Anyone who wanted Coach Chryst gone isn’t a part of this team.
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) October 3, 2022
David Moorman
Can’t thank Coach Chryst enough for letting me live out my dream. Very fortunate to have had the chance to play for him. Great Coach, but an even greater man.
— David Moorman (@DMoorman68) October 2, 2022
Kendric Pryor
👀👀👀
— Kendric Pryor (@_KPryor3) October 2, 2022
Anthony Davis
Risky move.
— Anthony Davis (@AD908_Strong) October 3, 2022
Nick Herbig Twitter2
Still at a loss 4 words but one thing I do know is we playing this season for you Coach!! Love you beyond measures🤞🏼💯 #P4PC
— Nick Herbig (@nickherbig_) October 3, 2022
Madison Cone
Super thankful for this man and all he did for me in my time at Wisconsin. Truly a class act and great coach. I really hope they give Jim Leonhard the job… if so he is going to turn Madtown up fasho 👐🏽🔥 https://t.co/VPdJYWFwpQ
— Madison Cone (@madisonacone) October 3, 2022
Alec Ingold
💔PC
— Alec Ingold (@AI_XLV) October 3, 2022
Nick Herbig profile pic
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/LZHXriZxQr
— Nick Herbig (@nickherbig_) October 3, 2022
Anthony Davis
Thankful for all the PC gave us. Great bowl record and mostly winning seasons even in the midst of losing key staff members and navigating a health pandemic … #Salute
— Anthony Davis (@AD908_Strong) October 3, 2022
Garrett Groshek
Thankful for the Countless Opportunities PC 💔#WalkOnU #OnWisconsin
— Garrett Groshek (@garrettgro37) October 3, 2022
Travian Blaylock
Coach Chryst was more than just our coach. He was our leader, motivator and friend. Our relationship was and still is bigger than football. All love and respect on this side🫡
— Tblizzy2️⃣6️⃣ (@traeblay_21) October 3, 2022
Collin Wilder
Can’t thank Coach Chryst enough for giving me opportunities that have changed my life, and I know every man who played for him would say the same. He was always for his players, and extremely loved in that locker room.
— Collin Wilder (@WilderCollin) October 3, 2022
Myles Burkett
— Myles Burkett (@myles_burkett) October 3, 2022
Charlie Jarvis
Will be forever thankful for the opportunity Coach Chryst has given me and many others in this program. https://t.co/r90BTvbtDo
— Charlie Jarvis (@_charliejarvis) October 3, 2022
Adam Bay
Thank you Coach 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/9BpXxm2c1v
— Adam Bay (@LongSnapper51) October 3, 2022
Kaden Johnson
Couldn’t be more thankful that you gave me an opportunity to play here coach! Thank you for everything❤️ pic.twitter.com/IwxcsvbycR
— Kaden Johnson (@KadenJohnson9) October 3, 2022
Eric Burrell
Coach PC, thank you for everything you’ve done for me, my family & teammates. The day I took my official visit, you made it feel like home and forever will be🖤 pic.twitter.com/UdPI5Kf9C7
— Eric Burrell (@EricBurrell_) October 3, 2022
Jack Dunn
Mike Maskalunas
Grover Bortolotti
Forever thankful to Coach Chryst for taking a chance on me. Taught me so much about the game but even more about being a man. A great coach but even better person. Love you coach ❤️ https://t.co/ypTbj2RsJX
— Grover Bortolotti (@groverbortolot7) October 3, 2022
Deacon Pe'a Hill
Man, enough words cannot be said about this man. Coach Chryst means everything to this team. I wanna thank him for giving me the opportunity to chase my dream and to be apart of this program. He’ll never know how much he means to my family and I. Love you coach❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/ORlQm8DFZb
— Deacon Pe’a Hill (@dhillsb10) October 3, 2022
Julius Davis
I’m so thankful for the oppurtunity you have given me and my teammates coach! From the recruiting days to playing under you coach it has been a true blessing. Love ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pyZ1HGPpCT
— 𝓙𝓾𝓵𝓲𝓾𝓼 𝓓𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓼 (@juliusdavis32) October 3, 2022
Faion Hicks
I don’t think people on the outside understand how hard it is to win, and win consistently, and that’s something PC did at Wisconsin. Sad to see him go, great coach who made it all about his players, but Wisconsin is in good hands with Jimmy !
— Faion Hicks (@Faion_Hicks) October 3, 2022
Hayden Rucci
Since day 1. Couldn’t be more grateful for giving me and my family an opportunity to find a second home in Madison. Thank you for everything Coach❤️ pic.twitter.com/vvxpLyZ57p
— Hayden Rucci (@haydenrucci) October 3, 2022
Nick Herbig
I am forever indebted to you coach. The things you’ve done for me and for this program are immeasurable. I will have your back for the rest of my life💯 I know my brothers in the locker room feel the same way. You are more than a coach. Love you🤞🏼❤️
— Nick Herbig (@nickherbig_) October 3, 2022
Ben Barten
Forever thankful for the opportunities this man has presented to me and my family. pic.twitter.com/czmL4fuMhr
— BenBarten (@barten_ben) October 3, 2022
Braelon Allen
Put me in a position to change my life. Much love coach 🤝 pic.twitter.com/dOHDs6MWhM
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) October 3, 2022
Chris James
This game isn't always fair. Coach PC,I just want to say Thank you for the Opportunity of a lifetime. You gave a kid from Chicago the Chance to play at two major Schools . You were the reason I went to Pitt and You were the reason I wanted to play for the Badgers. #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/vQmDdwr0Ev
— Chris James (@5ive2Live) October 3, 2022
Nick Herbig
— Nick Herbig (@nickherbig_) October 3, 2022
Spencer Lytle
Forever grateful for everything you’ve done and the opportunity you gave me and my family. You gave me a second home. Love you coach❤️ pic.twitter.com/VT4RhljCSj
— Spencer Lytle (@_SpencerLytle_) October 3, 2022

