On Sunday, the University of Wisconsin Badgers fired their former head coach Paul Chryst after eight seasons. The football program never got over the hump under Chryst. But they did have success in the West Division for three seasons (2016, 2017, and 2019).
Badgers Record in Paul Chryst Era
The Badgers did fall short of winning the conference championship during those 3 campaigns. Losing to Penn State, and Ohio State two times. The Wisconsin Badgers went 67-26 (43-18) in the BIG under Paul Chryst. The Badgers ranked in the top five in 2 out of the 8 seasons to start his coaching tenure at Wisconsin. Since 2017, the football program has lost seven games leading up to last season. Wisconsin came into the 2022 season ranked 18th in the Associated Press Poll.
The football team is 2-3 on the season, losing to Washington State, and being non-competitive against BIG opponents Ohio State and Illinois. The 24 point loss to Illinois was the worst at Wisconsin against a West divisional team. It just so happens to be that the loss came from another former Badger head coach in Bret Bielema.
Paul Chryst Buyout
Despite the overall record, and early disappointment this season, Paul Chryst is still due money after being let go as the head coach according to Badger officials:
Per #Badgers officials: Paul Chryst was due $20 million (and change) after being removed as HC. Parties agreed to a payment of $11 million, to be paid no later than Feb. 1, 2023. Funds come from UW Foundation. No taxpayer dollars.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 3, 2022
https://twitter.com/js_badgers/status/1577083839872106496?s=20&t=lebPWKgd5isCNdd_V5VY1g
Athletic director Chris McIntosh has said that the money will come from private funds such as the UW Foundation. The funding that Chryst is going to receive will not be tax paid dollars. Last October UW officials gave Paul Chryst a new contract, which included a raise and a compensation package per https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2022/10/03/wisconsin-pay-fired-football-coach-paul-chryst-11-million-buyout/8171623001/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&cid=twitter_js_badgers.
Paul Chryst and the University of Wisconsin agreed on the buyout terms. But many wonder why he would take less money. As of right now that is out of his control since he is already removed as the head coach.
Jim Leonhard Is Badgers Interim HC
Leonhard now serves as the Badgers interim head coach. He was hired as the defensive backs coach in 2016. The next season he worked as the defensive coordinator under Chryst up until this past Sunday. It is time for a change in Madison. Fans of the Badgers strongly believe that Jim Leonhard could be the guy to bring back Wisconsin Football or make it into something great.
The Wisconsin Badgers go on the road to face the Northwestern Wildcats on October 8th at 3:30 pm ET on BTN.
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