Alvarez to leave coaching after season, will remain athletic director

Barry Alvarez, head football coach and director of athletics, will step down from his coaching position at the conclusion of the 2005 season.

Alvarez said that Wisconsin defensive coordinator Bret Bielema will replace him as head coach in January. Alvarez will remain director of athletics.

The 58-year-old Alvarez is one of two men in Division I-A athletics (UAB’s Watson Brown is the other) serving in the dual role of director of athletics and head football coach. He assumed both duties on April 1, 2004, when Pat Richter retired.

“I’ve had the opportunity to do both jobs and it’s been a great challenge, a privilege and a true pleasure,” said Alvarez. “I feel like we’ve done a good job in handling the responsibilities of both positions, but the demands certainly take a toll.”

Alvarez, who enters his last year with a 108-70-4 career record, emphasized that the timing of his decision and announcement will be beneficial for both this year’s team and the transition into the future.

“Certainly, sharing this news prior to the season will ease the transition for our players, the staff and Bret [Bielema]. The only change I’ve made in regard to duties is that Bret is overseeing our recruiting efforts. It’s important for us to maintain momentum, and continuity in our recruiting efforts,” he said.

When Alvarez was named head football coach in 1990, he inherited a club that was a perennial second-division finisher and had averaged just two wins per season during the three years prior to his arrival.

As Alvarez enters his final season on the Badger sidelines, he does so with a coaching resume that is the best in school history. He also coached three Big Ten and Rose Bowl championship teams.