Written by Danny Morales
CLEARWATER — Paul Chryst was named the new head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in mid December and on Tuesday he made an appearance at Clearwater Beach Day where fans were able to see the new head coach for the first time since his hiring.
“I’m happy and proud to be representing the Wisconsin football program,” said Chryst when he talked to fans during Beach Day. “We’re obviously proud to be here and proud to be apart of this.”
His appearance on Tuesday was one of the first time Badgers’ fans were able to see their new head coach since he was brought on to replace Gary Andersen on December 17. Chryst won’t coach Wisconsin during this week’s Outback Bowl, as Athletic Director Barry Alvarez will put on the headset on New Year’s Day.
Becoming the head coach for the Badgers was a homecoming of sorts for Chryst, who was born in Madison, Wisconsin and played his college football for Wisconsin. Chryst was the Badgers’ offensive coordinator from 2005-2011 before he took the head coaching job at Pittsburgh so he has experience coaching at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin finished the regular season with a 10-3 record and are looking for their first 11-win finish since 2011 with a victory over Auburn on New Year’s Day. Despite the excitement around the program about Chryst’s return, the new head coach doesn’t want the attention of Thursday’s game to be taken away from the players.
“It’s all about this team playing their last game, I think that’s really what it’s about and that’s enough motivation,” said Chryst following his on-stage appearance at Beach Day. “Anytime you win in your last game it helps going into the next season, but first and foremost it’s all about this team playing their last game together.”
Chryst has spent a lot of time around the football team during bowl week, but isn’t doing any coaching as he continues to settle into his new position with the program he’s both played and coached for in the past.
“It’s been great being able to go to practice and really trying to reconnect with guys that I’ve known and meeting and starting to get to know the younger players,” said Chryst about the past two weeks. “So that parts been really good.
“I know a lot of the faces so that certainly helps in the transition. It’s starting to sink in and that’s pretty neat.”
Players have noticed Chryst’s presence out at practice this week as some have even made an extra effort to impress their new head coach, but Chryst’s purpose at practice is to get himself familiar with the team and coaching staff not necessarily to evaluate players.
“Paul is out there every day. He wants to get an idea of the personnel and familiarize himself with them,” said Interim head coach Barry Alvarez. “Out fourth and fifth year guys, know Paul; he recruited some of those guys. They know him already. The young guys, I think certainly are aware he’s around.”
Chryst is 19-19 as a head coach after his two seasons at Pittsburgh and led the Panthers to a win in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2013, but the 49-year-old has had plenty of success at the college level as an offensive coordinator.
Things won’t be easy for Chryst once he takes the helm for the Badgers, as Wisconsin opens up the 2015 season with a neutral site matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Arlington, Texas on September 6. While they will also be spending the offseason trying to fill the void of NCAA leading rusher Melvin Gordon, who is likely to go to the NFL Draft after rushing for 2,336 yards as a junior and getting a nod as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy as a junior.
“I’m happy and proud to be representing the Wisconsin football program,” said Chryst when he talked to fans during Beach Day. “We’re obviously proud to be here and proud to be apart of this.”
His appearance on Tuesday was one of the first time Badgers’ fans were able to see their new head coach since he was brought on to replace Gary Andersen on December 17. Chryst won’t coach Wisconsin during this week’s Outback Bowl, as Athletic Director Barry Alvarez will put on the headset on New Year’s Day.
Becoming the head coach for the Badgers was a homecoming of sorts for Chryst, who was born in Madison, Wisconsin and played his college football for Wisconsin. Chryst was the Badgers’ offensive coordinator from 2005-2011 before he took the head coaching job at Pittsburgh so he has experience coaching at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin finished the regular season with a 10-3 record and are looking for their first 11-win finish since 2011 with a victory over Auburn on New Year’s Day. Despite the excitement around the program about Chryst’s return, the new head coach doesn’t want the attention of Thursday’s game to be taken away from the players.
“It’s all about this team playing their last game, I think that’s really what it’s about and that’s enough motivation,” said Chryst following his on-stage appearance at Beach Day. “Anytime you win in your last game it helps going into the next season, but first and foremost it’s all about this team playing their last game together.”
Chryst has spent a lot of time around the football team during bowl week, but isn’t doing any coaching as he continues to settle into his new position with the program he’s both played and coached for in the past.
“It’s been great being able to go to practice and really trying to reconnect with guys that I’ve known and meeting and starting to get to know the younger players,” said Chryst about the past two weeks. “So that parts been really good.
“I know a lot of the faces so that certainly helps in the transition. It’s starting to sink in and that’s pretty neat.”
Players have noticed Chryst’s presence out at practice this week as some have even made an extra effort to impress their new head coach, but Chryst’s purpose at practice is to get himself familiar with the team and coaching staff not necessarily to evaluate players.
“Paul is out there every day. He wants to get an idea of the personnel and familiarize himself with them,” said Interim head coach Barry Alvarez. “Out fourth and fifth year guys, know Paul; he recruited some of those guys. They know him already. The young guys, I think certainly are aware he’s around.”
Chryst is 19-19 as a head coach after his two seasons at Pittsburgh and led the Panthers to a win in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2013, but the 49-year-old has had plenty of success at the college level as an offensive coordinator.
Things won’t be easy for Chryst once he takes the helm for the Badgers, as Wisconsin opens up the 2015 season with a neutral site matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Arlington, Texas on September 6. While they will also be spending the offseason trying to fill the void of NCAA leading rusher Melvin Gordon, who is likely to go to the NFL Draft after rushing for 2,336 yards as a junior and getting a nod as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy as a junior.