The Surprise of Jack Coan

Coan vs Mertz

Just about every Badgers fan expected to see a new leader under center for the 2019 season. So much hype was built up for Graham Mertz, a 4-star recruit that some even called the “Kansas Jesus”. Instead, a highly underrated, misunderstood and underestimated Jack Coan got the starting nod from head coach Paul Chryst. Confused Badger fans asked “What happened to this Graham Mertz guy?”. Mertz, the most anticipated Wisconsin QB since Russel Wilson transferred from NC State, was about to be watching from the bench. 

Jack Coans Devlopment from 2018 to 2019

We had all seen Coan play before. He finished last season as the QB1 after taking over for Alex Hornibrook. Coan wasn’t special. He was only slightly more efficient than Hornibrook, whom many fans were disappointed in. In four starts, his best game from 2018 was a triple overtime game against Purdue, finishing the game 16/24 a career high 160 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was enough to win but that stat line is not anything to get really excited about. 2019 was about to be a different story. Coan had something to prove and it didn’t take long to surpass his career high. In the season opener Coan looked sharp, completing 73% of his passes for 201 yards and 2 TDs. The questions surrounding Graham Mertz were still stirring, but fans started to see what Chryst saw in Coan.

Jack Coan’s Career Game

Week two came quickly, and football was in full effect. 74,437 screaming fans filled Camp Randall for the home opener vs Central Michigan. No one expected Coan to once again to set career highs. The expectation was more likely for Johnathan Taylor to have a career day, but Coan came ready to play. Taylor got the offense rolling with 2 TDs in the first quarter. The second quarter would be the best quarter of Coan’s career. His first TD pass would be to already shining Taylor and only to follow that up with 2 more scores before half. Both of Coan’s next TD passes went to Quintez Cephus, one of 36 yards and the second of 46 yards. Wisconsin walked into halftime up 44-0.

Coan would finish the game with career highs in completions, completion percentage, yards, touchdowns and throw his longest touchdown pass. His mark of 363 passing yards would be the highest total of the decade for the Badgers. Coan’s final stat line was 26/33 (78.8%) 363 yards and three touchdowns. 

Coan Finishes His Surprise Season Strong

The Badgers found themselves playing for the Big Ten Championship and a spot in the playoffs in December. The Badgers finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, something no one predicted. Falling short in the second half, after a promising first half, the Badgers would lose to No.1 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. It was okay though, the smell of roses was in the air. A trip to Pasedina was next and a rank of No.8 was still a great success for the Junior QB Jack Coan. The Badgers would fall to Oregon late in the Rose Bowl after some questionable officiating despite a great effort by Coan. We as fans all owe him a huge thank you for his efforts and the success he brought to the 2019 season. Coan finished the season 236/339 (69.6%), 2,727 yards, 18 TDs, only 5 Ints and 4 rushing TDs.

Jack Coan’s Stats 2018-2019

Passing

Season	CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
2018	56	93	60.2	515	5	3	35	118.0
2019	236	339	69.6	2,727	18	5	70	151.8

Rushing

Season	ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG
2018	20	-33	-1.6	1	9
2019	56	22	0.4	4	25

Follow us on twitter @OTHWisconsin for more great content! 

Also, be sure to check out the Overtime Heroics Forums page to join in on the discussion.

Head over to our shop if you are interested in purchasing some Overtime Heroics gear!