Tag: Barry Alvarez

Former Ohio State player apologizes after spreading fake rumor about Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez

Former Ohio State player apologizes for spreading fake rumor about Wisconsin’s Barry Alvarez

Wisconsin Badgers and college football legend Barry Alvarez has not passed away, contrary to a viral rumor on X Wednesday morning.

That rumor was spread by former Ohio State and NFL defensive end Matt Finkes, who wrote the following on X at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning:

“Football lost a legend today. Barry was a pillar of the sport & a great guy. Never forget him coaching me in the East West Shrine game & coming back to the hotel & seeing him & my dad at the bar having scotch & telling stories till the wee hours. RIP Barry @Badgerfootball.”

Related: Pre-spring bold predictions for the 2024 Big Ten football season

The former Buckeye has a following of more than 18,000 on the social media platform, making it easy for his note to circulate before anybody could dispute it.

But both the State Journal’s Colten Bartholomew and Jim Polzin did soon shoot the rumor down, citing Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh who had just spoken to Alvarez himself.

The rumor was clearly fake. So Finkes took back to X to issue the following apology:

This led to a lot of discussion on X, mostly piling on to what was an irresponsible, at best, decision by Finkes to post what he thought to be news.

The good news is that Alvarez is, in fact, still with us. Plus this may be a valuable less to not believe everything you read on social media.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

 

WATCH: Ron Dayne explains how Barry Alvarez recruited him

Barry’s best recruit ever

HThe Badgers football program changed when Barry Alvarez arrived as head coach in 1990 and one of his best recruiting success stories is running back Ron Dayne.

Dayne is Wisconsin’s all-time leading rusher, producing 7,125 over his four campaigns in Madison from 1996-1999, also adding 71 touchdowns on the ground (2nd all-time behind Montee Ball).

The running back went on Jim Rome’s show this past week, explaining how Alvarez came and met him in person in New Jersey. Dayne tells Rome how even though he was 295 pounds, he informed Alvarez that he “wanted to run the ball”.

In the end, he was certainly allowed to run the ball in Madison!

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Badger Countdown: Legendary coach turned 76 in December

The Wisconsin football season is on the horizon as we are now 76 days from the team’s season opener Sept. 2 versus Buffalo at Camp Randall.

The Wisconsin football season is on the horizon as we are now 76 days away from the team’s season opener Sept. 2 versus Buffalo at Camp Randall. As the Badgers usher in the Luke Fickell era in Madison, the team’s all-time best coach Barry Alvarez turned 76 in December.

Alvarez is greatly responsible for the success of the Badger football program to this day, changing the team’s fortunes when he took over at head coach in 1990. Operating as their head coach from 1990-2005 (16 seasons), Alvarez posted a 117-74 overall record.

Prior to taking over, Wisconsin had gone 9-37 over the previous four seasons and although they went 1-10 in year one with Alvarez, by his fourth campaign, the Badgers were a whole new team.

In January 1994, Wisconsin defeated UCLA 21-16 in the Rose Bowl, winning the program’s first of three bowl victories in Pasadena. Later in 1999 and 2000, the Badgers won consecutive Rose Bowls. In total, in bowl games he’s coached, Wisconsin has gone 9-4 (including fill-ins in 2012 and 2014).

Alvarez is by far the most accomplished head coach in program history and after he retired from coaching the team in 2006, he went on the have an incredibly successful tenure as UW-Madison’s athletic director.

Prior to retiring as AD in 2021, Wisconsin sports teams won 16 national titles during his tenure in charge. Additionally, Badger teams won 74 conference, regular-season or tournament championships over his 15 years.

As new athletic director Chris McIntosh has shaken things up across the many programs since Alvarez retired, there’s no denying he’s been left with some hefty shoes to fill.

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Badger Countdown: Former number 84 could be set to breakout in NFL

The return of CFB is coming up faster than you think and the Badgers are 84 days away from their Week 1 matchup with Buffalo on Sept. 2. 

The return of college football is coming up faster than you think and the Badgers are 84 days away from their Week 1 matchup with Buffalo on Sept. 2. Former Badger tight end and second-year NFL player Jake Ferguson could be in for a very productive season with the Cowboys.

Ferguson spent four seasons with Wisconsin from 2018-2021, playing for the program that his grandfather Barry Alvarez once coached and that he was at the time, the athletic director. The tight end carved out a very successful career in Madison, reeling in 145 catches for 1,618 yards and 13 touchdowns over 47 contests with the Badgers.

He went on to be selected in fourth round (129th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and he spent his rookie season as a reserve option behind starter Dalton Schultz. Ferguson caught 19 passes for 174 yards and two scores while playing in 16 games.

Now heading into the 2023 campaign, Ferguson is slotted in as the Cowboys’ top tight end following Schultz’s departure to Houston via free agency. With Dallas looking to increase their production in the passing game, Ferguson could become a top target for quarterback Dak Prescott. His 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame has transitioned well to the professional level and he could become the next former Badger to make a major splash in the NFL.

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Badger Countdown: All-time leading passer starts UW career in 92′

The return of Badger football is now 92 days away as we countdown to Week 1 versus Buffalo on Sept. 2 at Camp Randall.

The return of Badger football is now 92 days away as we countdown to Week 1 versus Buffalo on Sept. 2 at Camp Randall. Wisconsin’s all-time leading passer began his UW career in 1992, going on to start four seasons.

Darrell Bevell took over as the Badgers’ starting quarterback in 1992 replacing four-year starter Tony Lowery under center. Paired with third-year head coach Barry Alvarez, the Yuma, Arizona native stepped right into a starting role as a freshman.

Bevell went on to record 1,479 passing yards and eight scores during Wisconsin’s 5-6 season, but it was the next year where things really took off. The quarterback passed for a career-high and program record (at the time) 2,390 yards and matched record with 19 passing touchdowns while the Badgers went 10-1-1 and went on to win the 1994 Rose Bowl 21-16 over UCLA.

He went on to spend two more campaigns under center, ending his career with the program’s all-time leading 7,686 total passing yards and 59 total passing touchdowns, both of which remain the program’s highest ever.

Bevell went undrafted in the 1996 NFL Draft and began a career in coaching and in recent years, he’s filled in twice as an interim head coach with the Detroit Lions (2020) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2021).

Additionally, he won a Super Bowl in 2013 with the Seattle Seahawks as their offensive coordinator. Bevell is now entering his second season as the QB coach and passing game coordinator with the Miami Dolphins.

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Badger Countdown: Flashback to rare tie during 1993 campaign

The Wisconsin Badgers’ football team is now 93 days away from their 2023 season opener Sept. 2 vs Buffalo and we continue our countdown. 

The Wisconsin Badgers’ football team is now 93 days away from their 2023 season opener Sept. 2 against Buffalo and we continue our countdown.

The 1993 season ended with the Badgers’ 21-16 win over UCLA in the 1994 Rose Bowl, finishing off a 10-1-1 season. As easily seen in their record, Wisconsin did record a tie during the 1993 and it wasn’t with just any ordinary team.

On November 6, 1993, the Badgers (7-1) hosted the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0) at Camp Randall and the two teams tied 14-14. Late in the contest Wisconsin held a 14-7 lead but the Buckeyes marched down the field to tie it with under four minutes to go.

In the end, head coach Barry Alvarez and his Wisconsin squad had their shot to win it, but cornerback Marlon Kerner blocked a 32-yard Badgers field goal and the contest ended in a tie. When it came down to it, both teams finished 10-1-1 and tied for the Big Ten title.

Wisconsin won the Rose Bowl invitation tiebreaker due to Big Ten rules which resolved first-place ties by eliminating the most recent invitee.

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Badger Countdown: Can Wisconsin capture 94′ Rose Bowl magic in 2023?

We are now 94 days away from the return of Badger football as we countdown to the season opener Sept. 2 against Buffalo at Camp Randall.

We are now 94 days away from the return of Badger football as we countdown to the season opener Sept. 2 against Buffalo at Camp Randall. The 1993 campaign could prove to one that Wisconsin emulates in 2023.

During that season, in their fourth season under head coach Barry Alvarez, the Badgers went 10-1-1 and won their first Rose Bowl in program history on January 1, 1994. Wisconsin defeated UCLA 21-16 in Pasadena, elevating the football team to heights it had never reached before.

The Badgers came into the contest 0-3 all-time in the Rose Bowl, having not made it since 1963 and the bowl game appearance was their first in a decade. Wisconsin went on to win two more Rose Bowls under Barry Alvarez during his 1990-2005 tenure at the helm, notching victories over UCLA in 1999 and Stanford in 2000.

Overall, the Badgers went 8-3 in bowl games over that stretch with Alvarez at head coach. He later filled in as an interim coach in the 2013 Rose Bowl and the 2015 Outback Bowl, winning the latter.

Now with highly-touted head coach Luke Fickell heading to Wisconsin after a successful career at Cincinnati, which included a College Football Playoff appearance in 2021. He’ll look to become the next great Badger head coach in 2023, a season that is gearing up to be a must-watch.

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Badger Countdown: Star running back bursts onto scene in ’96

As we continue our countdown to the beginning of the Badger football season, the 1996 season was a momentous one for a freshman ball-carrier.

There is now 96 days until the start of the Wisconsin football season on Sept. 2 versus Buffalo. As we continue our countdown, the 1996 season was a momentous one for a freshman ball-carrier.

In his first season with the Badgers, New Jersey native Ron Dayne became an instant star. The freshman running back burst onto the scene, producing 2,109 rushing yards and 21 scores on the ground, both of which were program records.

The 5-foot-10, 240-pound athlete was the focal point in offensive coordinator Brad Childress’ “Smashmouth” offense, churning out 6.5 yards per carry over 325 chances in 13 games with Wisconsin.

Dayne went on to compile three more successful campaigns with the Badgers, finishing his career with 7,125 rushing yards and 71 touchdowns over his four seasons, which were both program records as well.

The bruising back finished off his time with Wisconsin on a high note, helping head coach Barry Alvarez and the Badgers win their second straight Rose Bowl in January 2000, while also winning the 1999 Heisman Trophy that season. Dayne rushed for 2,034 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final year, ultimately being selected 11th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

Wisconsin football all-time roster: Coaches, kickers and specialists

We selected Wisconsin’s all-time special teams unit and coaching staff.

We close out the Wisconsin all-time roster series with a look at the special team’s stars and all-time coaching staff.

The final piece of the roster is highlighted by a current Badger coach landing on it in two separate spots. Legendary program changer Barry Alvarez not only found himself as the head coach on our all-time team, but some of his assistants also made the final cut.

Thinking back to all-time returners, David Gilreath’s return against Ohio State helped cement his place on the list. Without any other spoilers, here is a look at Wisconsin’s all-time special teams unit and coaching staff.

See Wisconsin’s all-time offense and all-time defense. 

Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Nebraska / North Carolina / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC

Iowa football all-time roster: Coaches, kickers and specialists

See which coaching and special teams legends made the cut in our all-time Iowa Hawkeyes football roster.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a rich history with some of the game’s titans suiting up in the black and gold. Hawkeyes Wire is taking a look back at Iowa’s finest offensive playmakers, defensive standouts, specialists and coaches from its entire history.

After taking a look at the Hawkeyes’ all-time offensive and defensive teams, it’s now time to turn our attention the all-time specialists and coaches in Iowa history.

Specialists can change a game in an instant with a game-breaking return or a punt that pins an opponent deep or flips field position. Of course, the best assistant coaches help programs innovate offensively and defensively and keep the talent pipelines rolling.

The importance of a head coach can’t be overstated. The lifeblood and foundation of a program is set by the head coach. Iowa has had plenty of great options in terms of specialists, assistant coaches and head coaches.

Let’s take a look at the Hawkeyes’ all-time specialists and coaches.

See Iowa’s all-time offense and all-time defense. 

Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Nebraska / North Carolina / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin