Barry Alvarez’s tenure at the University of Wisconsin spanned more than three decades and intersected with the lives of countless people.
Some became star NFL players. Others coached for him. A few were peers with him as an athletic director. They all have stories, and we collected some of the best in the lead-up to Alvarez’s retirement.
Their shared football backgrounds made for a natural relationship. Now, with Barry Alvarez retiring as Wisconsin's AD, Ohio State's Gene Smith reflects on their years together leading the Big Ten.
Barry Alvarez called his former QB Darrell Bevell fast. He wasn't, but the UW's all-time leading passer was a hard worker, which Alvarez valued above all. Bevell reflects on his time with Alvarez.
Barry Alvarez has called lineman Joe Thomas the best player he ever coached at Wisconsin. After a Hall of Fame pro career, Thomas is still humbled by that and reflects on Alvarez's impact.
Paul Chryst has been front and center for much of Barry Alvarez's career at Wisconsin, in multiple roles. Here's how the UW coach reflected on Alvarez and their time together.
Mel Tucker was part of Barry Alvarez’s first Wisconsin recruiting class. Now a coach at Michigan State, Tucker reflects on the Barry Alvarez Experience in those first years.
Before he came to Madison to rebuild the Wisconsin football program, Barry Alvarez worked under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame. "I really, really learned a lot from him."
