As much as some like to rip on the team to our east, we all know the Badger’s have a very solid program. No doubt, the more informed GopherHole posters are fully aware of their recent history. Still, the subject Big Ten Network program is highly recommended as it offers valuable insight into the change process.
The show is to be repeated Sunday @ 2:30 am, @ 10:00 pm, and Monday @ 9:00 am on the Big Ten Network. Some of the content might sound familiar:
At the end of the 1989 season, Badger football was arguably lower than that of Minnesota’s following its 2010 season.
“You have to take a job and make it a good job. It (Wisconsin’s head coach position) wasn’t good and that’s why it was open.” Barry Alvarez
1990 was Alvarez’s first season in Madison. His team went 1-10.
“I’d never been in a position before where you’re preparing for a game and really don’t think you have a chance to win. Guys would play as hard as they could. We just lacked talent.” Barry Alvarez
He decided the first order of business was to “build a wall” around the state…and he unified the Wisconsin High School coaches in support of the University of Wisconsin. He had to rebuild without the benefit of blue-chip recruits. He encouraged walk on players. “Once they got into the 2-deep we’d scholarship them.”
It took until his 4th season to achieve a winning record.
1991: 5-6
1992: 5-6
1993: 10-1-1 (Only loss was to the Gophers. Rose Bowl victory over UCLA)
1994: 7-4-1
1995: 4-5-2 (No doubt, some Badger “fans” were calling for his head)
This is not to suggest that the Gophers under Coach Kill will win the BIG in year #4. But the Alvarez record clearly demonstrates change doesn’t happen overnight.
Some (probably a vocal minority) of GopherHole posters believe Kill is out of his league. Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. But the Gopher's win-loss record over the next few years is not the primary standard by which to judge long-term success potential. Kill and his staff are on the right path.
The show is to be repeated Sunday @ 2:30 am, @ 10:00 pm, and Monday @ 9:00 am on the Big Ten Network. Some of the content might sound familiar:
At the end of the 1989 season, Badger football was arguably lower than that of Minnesota’s following its 2010 season.
“You have to take a job and make it a good job. It (Wisconsin’s head coach position) wasn’t good and that’s why it was open.” Barry Alvarez
1990 was Alvarez’s first season in Madison. His team went 1-10.
“I’d never been in a position before where you’re preparing for a game and really don’t think you have a chance to win. Guys would play as hard as they could. We just lacked talent.” Barry Alvarez
He decided the first order of business was to “build a wall” around the state…and he unified the Wisconsin High School coaches in support of the University of Wisconsin. He had to rebuild without the benefit of blue-chip recruits. He encouraged walk on players. “Once they got into the 2-deep we’d scholarship them.”
It took until his 4th season to achieve a winning record.
1991: 5-6
1992: 5-6
1993: 10-1-1 (Only loss was to the Gophers. Rose Bowl victory over UCLA)
1994: 7-4-1
1995: 4-5-2 (No doubt, some Badger “fans” were calling for his head)
This is not to suggest that the Gophers under Coach Kill will win the BIG in year #4. But the Alvarez record clearly demonstrates change doesn’t happen overnight.
Some (probably a vocal minority) of GopherHole posters believe Kill is out of his league. Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. But the Gopher's win-loss record over the next few years is not the primary standard by which to judge long-term success potential. Kill and his staff are on the right path.
