Badgers fans surprised, not stunned by Paul Chryst's firing as Wisconsin football coach
We asked Badgers fans for their thoughts on the firing of football coach Paul Chryst. Here's a sampling of their answers.
Boring going out of style
Boring coaches no longer stand a chance. All about NIL, being a character, and recruiting now. None of those things were what PC did.
— Taylor (@taylorwmj) October 3, 2022
Case of buyer's remorse?
Bold move. Hope it works out. Have serious doubts though. The grass is always greener. https://t.co/pgpOUuh1Ai
— Zach Kirchenwitz (@zkirchenwitz) October 3, 2022
Surprise timing for needed change
Surprised, but only by the urgency. Thought for sure they'd drag this out. I actually respect the new AD for having the conviction to make the call.
— Ben Pascoe (@Badger8th) October 3, 2022
New voice necessary
Sad to see him go.
— PackersHistory.com (@PackersHistory1) October 3, 2022
Paul Chryst is a lovable goof, but the program needed a new voice. And it was urgent. Him staying would have hurt recruiting.
Strong call by Chris McIntosh. It shows he’s not a scared or timid AD.
Jim Leonhard is a hell of a coach; excited for the future!
Hopeful for the future
Not sure what to think. Change is tough. I keep thinking about Nebraska. But Wisconsin is Wisconsin. I feel bad for the person. Good man. Even better father. I hope this is a good thing.
— Eric (@Eric_Johnson79) October 3, 2022
Thanks but your time is up
Thanks Paul for re-stabilizing the program post Gary Andersen era. But a change was needed. Have fallen into mediocrity in Big Trn West, let alone conference in general. And USC/UCLA is coming.
— DRich (@drich318318) October 3, 2022
Leonhard stopgap for Leipold?
A bit surprised that the AD pulled the trigger. However, I am not convinced Leonhard is the long term answer. No background as an HC. Leipold ALL day long if they can get him.
— StevePittStop (@SonOfaPitts) October 3, 2022
Something Barry would do?
McIntosh bowed to the fan pressure. Wonder what Barry would have done. Lost a lot of good players from last year but they were a bit of a disappointment last year too. Mertz never developed as advertised.
— Mike Zale (@mikezale) October 3, 2022
More to blame on Mertz
Surprising that it happened in the middle of the season. A change at QB seemed more appropriate. Is the hope to keep Leonhard as head coach for the long-term? pic.twitter.com/Un3mUtddCm
— 🅱️ryce N.Y. Chinault (@BryceTheNoble) October 3, 2022
Program regression precipitated move
I am very surprised it happened midseason
— Joe O (@JoeFromStCloud) October 3, 2022
But it was probably necessary: the program has clearly regressed
Recent results matter
Good coach, better person. Having said that, this is a scoreboard business and a, “what have you done for me lately.” business. I wish PC the best of luck, but it was time.
— Adam Olson (@Adam_Olson24) October 3, 2022
First firing in a long time
It needed to happen but given there is a new AD, I did not think they would take action. After all they have not fired a fb coach since ‘89
— Dixie Platt (@DixiePlatt) October 3, 2022
Bigger collapse averted?
He was a good man and a good coach, but this was inevitable. I'm glad that the Badgers didn't let the situation get worse without making a change.
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) October 3, 2022
McIntosh made tough but fair call
Surprised, but only by the urgency. Thought for sure they'd drag this out. I actually respect the new AD for having the conviction to make the call.
— Ben Pascoe (@Badger8th) October 3, 2022
Wrong move for UW
It was a mistake. So the Badgers have a bad season. Start the improvement process. Firing the coach does not do that.
— Ken Rasmussen (@KenRasmussen2) October 3, 2022
McIntosh not dragging his feet
Figured they’d do the “Wisconsin Way” bs and give him the rest of this season, if not all of next season to try and turn it around before canning him. Glad McIntosh has some guys and did the obvious thing.
— Eli (@ElijahJ1997) October 3, 2022
Second half test drive for Leonhard
Great person, the time for a change is now. Department barely out of the red fiscally post-COVID. Couldn’t survive a drop in ticket sales or loss of recruits. Great chance for a mutual test run for Leonhard as well.
— Steve Dunai (@stevedunai) October 3, 2022
Influx of energy needed
Surprised it happened. Definitely trending the wrong way. Think the qb play has been a huge issue the past three years. They need some juice. Whole program is boring and not exciting to watch
— TL (@tbone1934) October 3, 2022
Not happy, but necessary
Happy is not the right word. Necessary is absolutely correct. Be thankful for what PC did here, the man he is, but also recognize the program wasn’t on the right track. I applaud Mac for making a tough decision, but one that had to happen for the good of the program.
— Nate (@nateross83) October 3, 2022
Time to open up the wallet
Surprised by the timing and impressed by the decisiveness. Can we also spend money on recruiting now or this decision won’t matter much
— Mason Higgins (@moosemase) October 3, 2022
Offensive fire extinguished
It’s not just the 2022 disaster. In last 5 seasons, only 2019 with JT and Cepheus did Wisconsin have a modern day, exciting offense. Why have an offensive coach like PC if the offense is predictable and dull? Plus losing the recruiting coordinator to MSU made PC look silly
— Steve Schuster (@SteveSc84123682) October 3, 2022
Trending in the wrong direction
Need to focus on the recent/trend. He was 13-10 in his last 23 Big Ten contests with offenses ranked near the bottom of all FBS teams. Better to have let him go today then become Nebraska over the next 3–4 years. Jim Leonard has excelled at EVERYTHING he has done in football.
— RyderCupCaptain (@BadgerOC1) October 3, 2022
Short and sweet
Sad and hopeful
— Joe Maier (@JMaierLaw) October 3, 2022
Make Leonhard earn it
Please please please don’t just hand it JL. If he ends up being the best guy for the job, great but do your due diligence. You have virtually the entire year to find the right guy. Take your time and do it right!
— Alex Najmabadi (@jscores1) October 3, 2022
One word will do
Thrilled.
— Al (@AlfromtheSau) October 3, 2022
Just 96 hours after insisting he was confident in Paul Chryst, Badgers AD Chris McIntosh fired him. What changed? And what's next for UW? Columnist Jim Polzin weighs in.
Badgers athletic director Chris McIntosh said the time was right to make the "incredibly difficult" decision to fire football coach Paul Chryst.
With Leonhard taking over as interim coach, take a look back at key moments in his journey from Badgers walk-on to the NFL and back to Madison.
Barry Alvarez's experiences should make Chris McIntosh hope Jim Leonhard is the right person to replace Paul Chryst. The alternatives may not be as appealing as some Badgers fans think.
Ted Kellner, one of the Badgers' top boosters, doesn't believe in meddling in coaching decisions. "I would be ticked off if I heard anybody trying to do it."
“We're happy here. We have no plans on going anywhere,” Lance Leipold said Tuesday, when asked about the interest he's generated with the first 5-0 start at Kansas since 2009
BadgerExtra has Wisconsin fans covered with a complete breakdown of everything they need to know before venturing to Ryan Field or turning on their televisions.
The University of Wisconsin posted its football head coaching opening just hours after the Badgers' win over Nebraska.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst challenged his football team at halftime to draw a line in the sand. Illinois then dominated the Badgers in the second half.
Columnist Jim Polzin says special teams was passable but not much else was in the Badgers' 34-10 loss to Illinois.
As Jim Leonhard embarks on his latest challenge at Wisconsin, these photos capture his ascent from Badgers walk-on to starter, then to the NFL…
