Sources: Arkansas to hire Bret Bielema

[BrAinPaiNt]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf--...195732340.html

In a stunning coup, Arkansas will hire Wisconsin's Bret Bielema as its next football coach, Yahoo! Sports has learned.


I did not see that one coming. I did say the other day that with the rumor of the money they were floating around they would get someone with a name but did not think of this name.

[Lodeus]

Has to be because of the money.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by Lodeus

Has to be because of the money.

Rumors earlier were that they (Arkansas) was floating out some serious cash per year numbers.

When I heard that i figured they would get someone pretty good. I just never figured this guy, just figured he was locked into Wisconsin.

Now I wonder if Cryst leaves Pitt to go back and become HC at Wisconsin.

[Sam I Am]

They just said he was making $2.5M/year at Wisconsin. It must be some serious benjamins.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Looks like Gus Malzahn (sp?) is heading to Auburn.

[Aikbach]

I thought they'd end up going after Sonny Dykes.

[trickblue]

Originally Posted by Aikbach

I thought they'd end up going after Sonny Dykes.

Yeah... someone would get a good young head coach that really thinks outside the box...

Rumors are that Cal is eyeing him...

[koolaid]

As a Wisconsin Alum I am absolutely THRILLED to see this happen!
First the B1G championship and now this, it feels like Christmas came early!

Its a blast to see this happen. The reaction around Wisconsin is just hilarious. There have been a lot of people calling for BB to get out of here for a long time. The guy is not a good game coach at all (I could rant about this for a long time). I am really hoping Wisconsin hires Paul Chryst to be the next HC.

Arkansas, you made a HUGE mistake.
Thank you.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by koolaid

As a Wisconsin Alum I am absolutely THRILLED to see this happen!
First the B1G championship and now this, it feels like Christmas came early!

Its a blast to see this happen. The reaction around Wisconsin is just hilarious. There have been a lot of people calling for BB to get out of here for a long time. The guy is not a good game coach at all (I could rant about this for a long time). I am really hoping Wisconsin hires Paul Chryst to be the next HC.

Arkansas, you made a HUGE mistake.
Thank you.

As much as a WVU fan hates all things Pitt Panthers... I have to say I kind of feel bad for the players there. If Cryst leaves for Wisconsin that would a large number of coaches they have went through the last few years.

[DOUBLE WING]

Originally Posted by koolaid

As a Wisconsin Alum I am absolutely THRILLED to see this happen!
First the B1G championship and now this, it feels like Christmas came early!

Its a blast to see this happen. The reaction around Wisconsin is just hilarious. There have been a lot of people calling for BB to get out of here for a long time. The guy is not a good game coach at all (I could rant about this for a long time). I am really hoping Wisconsin hires Paul Chryst to be the next HC.

Arkansas, you made a HUGE mistake.
Thank you.

Seems like a strange reaction. Three straight Rose Bowl's is nothing to sneeze at. Plus from what I hear, there has been a lot of turnover on his staff because Wisconsin refuses to pay big money to keep his assistants.

I don't really see Wisconsin doing better than Bielema.

[koolaid]

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

As much as a WVU fan hates all things Pitt Panthers... I have to say I kind of feel bad for the players there. If Cryst leaves for Wisconsin that would a large number of coaches they have went through the last few years.

I hear you there. I don't wish Pitt any trouble, they have had a tough time the last few years with coaches. I really love Chryst as a play caller though. The guy just seems to have a knack for it, especially timing on play action and gimmick plays. Last year with Russell Wilson as his QB he put on an absolute show. If you look at it, Wisconsin's offense never lost a game that year. In the 3 losses:
1. @ Michigan State the offense takes the lead late in the 4th to lose to a hail mary
2. @ Ohio State its the same story, another hail mary loss.
3. Rose Bowl: Wisc is driving late in the 4th to potentially win the game. Russell Throws a strike to a WR down the field. The ball is fumbled and stays in bounds. Ducks recover and the game is over.

Not to mention he is from Madison and was the former Badgers QB.

[koolaid]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE WING

Seems like a strange reaction. Three straight Rose Bowl's is nothing to sneeze at. Plus from what I hear, there has been a lot of turnover on his staff because Wisconsin refuses to pay big money to keep his assistants.

I don't really see Wisconsin doing better than Bielema.

We already have. Barry Alvarez built the program and won 3 Rose Bowls. BB rode the wave.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Alvarez

As far as the 3 straight rose bowl appearances go. I'll give BB some credit for #1. #2 was a paul chryst product (Chryst was the one that got us Russell Wilson and coached our offense) #3, while sweet, is the result of Penn State and Ohio State scandals.

I don't think Bielema is a bad coach. I think he is a decent recruiter and decent at developing talent. For a former D Coordinator his defenses have been disappointing. As far as in game and clock management go the guy leaves something to be desired. Want examples? Watch Wisconsin vs Michigan State or Wisconsin vs Oregon State from this season and you will see why there are a lot happy Wisc fans out there right now.

So do I think Wisc can do better? Absolutely. Much Better.

[DOUBLE WING]

Originally Posted by koolaid

We already have. Barry Alvarez built the program and won 3 Rose Bowls. BB rode the wave.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Alvarez

As far as the 3 straight rose bowl appearances go. I'll give BB some credit for #1. #2 was a paul chryst product (Chryst was the one that got us Russell Wilson and coached our offense) #3, while sweet, is the result of Penn State and Ohio State scandals.

I don't think Bielema is a bad coach. I think he is a decent recruiter and decent at developing talent. For a former D Coordinator his defenses have been disappointing. As far as in game and clock management go the guy leaves something to be desired. Want examples? Watch Wisconsin vs Michigan State or Wisconsin vs Oregon State from this season and you will see why there are a lot happy Wisc fans out there right now.

So do I think Wisc can do better? Absolutely. Much Better.

Alvarez is an all-timer, but it's like Snyder at K-State. They aren't going to be able to replicate that with someone else. Bielema was the best shot because of the smooth transition as Alvarez's handpicked guy.

[kev8822]

Originally Posted by koolaid

As a Wisconsin Alum I am absolutely THRILLED to see this happen!
First the B1G championship and now this, it feels like Christmas came early!

Its a blast to see this happen. The reaction around Wisconsin is just hilarious. There have been a lot of people calling for BB to get out of here for a long time. The guy is not a good game coach at all (I could rant about this for a long time). I am really hoping Wisconsin hires Paul Chryst to be the next HC.

Arkansas, you made a HUGE mistake.
Thank you.

One of the Wisconsin boards seemed to think Chryst has a great coach but a poor recruiter. Any truth?

[koolaid]

Originally Posted by kev8822

One of the Wisconsin boards seemed to think Chryst has a great coach but a poor recruiter. Any truth?

Honestly, I have no idea how good he could be at recruiting, but I don't see how anyone could know from just 1 year at Pitt. He did get Russell Wilson to come around.

I don't think he would be that much different from Bielema in terms of the quality of recruits. Its not like Bielema was getting amazing recruiting classes at UW. Wisconsin's thing is more to develop guys over time and play blue collar football. There has also been a lot of success with walk-ons such as JJ Watt and Abbredaris (WR). I don't think UW will ever be a big draw for the more elite prospects. Bielema did seem to have a good Florida connection, but I wouldn't call it amazing.

That is part of the reason I don't think BB leaving Wisc will affect the caliber of the program too much (although perhaps some recruits from the upcoming recruiting classes will move elsewhere). I think many coaches could maintain a similar level of recruiting (roughly 30th in a good year) while game management should improve.

EDIT: Was really excited to hear the news that Alvarez will coach in the Rose Bowl.