One of the inevitable byproducts of a successful season for University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema is having to fend off other teams from trying to hire away his assistant coaches.
Bielema said on Tuesday the process has already started, with offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and defensive coordinator Dave Doeren both drawing interest. Bielema vowed to be responsive in trying to keep his coaches.
"I've been contacted already about several opportunities, especially for my two coordinators," Bielema said. "I'm not going to bury my head in the sand."
Chryst's stock has probably never been higher. He is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant coach in the nation.
UW ranks fourth nationally in scoring, averaging 43.3 points per game. Going into the bowl game, it has set single-season school records for points (520) and rushing touchdowns (46) and is on pace to set new marks for average yards per carry, total offense, points per game and passing completion percentage.
The Dallas Cowboys made a strong push to hire Chryst as their quarterbacks coach following the 2006 season.
"Obviously, there's a change in (coaches) down there," Bielema said. "The same guy that wanted (Chryst) is now the head coach."
Jason Garrett, who was promoted from offensive coordinator when Wade Phillips was fired by the Cowboys on Nov. 8, has close ties to Chryst. The two first worked together when Chryst was an assistant coach and Garrett was a quarterback for the San Antonio Riders in the World League of American Football in 1991 and '92.
Chryst is a Madison native and played football for the Badgers. He said family considerations — he and his wife, Robin, have three school-age children — and his ties to the area were factors in his decision to stay four years ago. He also signed a five-year deal that was scheduled to pay him $300,000 a year, plus an annuity of $50,000 per year. He made $200,000 the previous year.
The following year, Chryst interviewed for the head coaching job at Purdue but pulled his name out of consideration. The job eventually went to Danny Hope.
"At a certain level, I can't compete dollars-wise," Bielema said. "But I can compete with quality of living. To be an assistant coach on my staff, if you asked those guys ... I think our staff enjoys working together."
Some people believe Chryst might be better suited for an NFL coordinator job, rather than a head coaching job in college, since dealing with the media, boosters and recruiting are not his favorite things. Bielema was asked if Chryst wants to be a college head coach and if he would promote him for such an opportunity.
"I'll promote any of my guys, not just Paul. ... It's just not being a head coach for Paul, it's about being a ball coach," Bielema said. "He's also a great father and a great husband. I think that all factors into it."
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Bielema said on Tuesday the process has already started, with offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and defensive coordinator Dave Doeren both drawing interest. Bielema vowed to be responsive in trying to keep his coaches.
"I've been contacted already about several opportunities, especially for my two coordinators," Bielema said. "I'm not going to bury my head in the sand."
Chryst's stock has probably never been higher. He is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant coach in the nation.
UW ranks fourth nationally in scoring, averaging 43.3 points per game. Going into the bowl game, it has set single-season school records for points (520) and rushing touchdowns (46) and is on pace to set new marks for average yards per carry, total offense, points per game and passing completion percentage.
The Dallas Cowboys made a strong push to hire Chryst as their quarterbacks coach following the 2006 season.
"Obviously, there's a change in (coaches) down there," Bielema said. "The same guy that wanted (Chryst) is now the head coach."
Jason Garrett, who was promoted from offensive coordinator when Wade Phillips was fired by the Cowboys on Nov. 8, has close ties to Chryst. The two first worked together when Chryst was an assistant coach and Garrett was a quarterback for the San Antonio Riders in the World League of American Football in 1991 and '92.
Chryst is a Madison native and played football for the Badgers. He said family considerations — he and his wife, Robin, have three school-age children — and his ties to the area were factors in his decision to stay four years ago. He also signed a five-year deal that was scheduled to pay him $300,000 a year, plus an annuity of $50,000 per year. He made $200,000 the previous year.
The following year, Chryst interviewed for the head coaching job at Purdue but pulled his name out of consideration. The job eventually went to Danny Hope.
"At a certain level, I can't compete dollars-wise," Bielema said. "But I can compete with quality of living. To be an assistant coach on my staff, if you asked those guys ... I think our staff enjoys working together."
Some people believe Chryst might be better suited for an NFL coordinator job, rather than a head coaching job in college, since dealing with the media, boosters and recruiting are not his favorite things. Bielema was asked if Chryst wants to be a college head coach and if he would promote him for such an opportunity.
"I'll promote any of my guys, not just Paul. ... It's just not being a head coach for Paul, it's about being a ball coach," Bielema said. "He's also a great father and a great husband. I think that all factors into it."
http://host.madison.com/sports/college/football/article_21dc29ba-fcf9-11df-9824-001cc4c002e0.html