National and local media react to Wisconsin firing Paul Chryst
The top national news in college football belonged to Wisconsin on Sunday evening. The Badgers fired Paul Chryst just five games into the 2022 season after laboring to a 2-3 start.
The Wisconsin mood feels bittersweet, to say the least. Badger players past and present poured out their emotions on social media over the past 12 hours, as Chryst was loved by seemingly everyone within the program.
National media met the move with a mix of surprise and confusion. This is still a coach that went 67-26 during his eight seasons at Wisconsin, and that isn’t a record you normally associate with a mid-season firing.
What did media have to say about Wisconsin’s decision? Here is a look:
The Athletic's Matt Fortuna:
Paul Chryst is a Madison native and Wisconsin alum. He has spent 33 of his 56 years of life in town as either a kid, a Badgers QB or a UW coach.
He was 67-26 and 43-18 in the Big Ten. He won three B1G West titles and two NY6 bowls. He was a two-time B1G coach of the year.
Wow.
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) October 2, 2022
Wisconsin play-by-play broadcaster Matt Lepay:
I hope true Badger fans understand how lucky we have been to have Paul Chryst as coach. I hope Badger fans embrace the good fortune of having Jim Leonhard here to answer the call. He easily could be elsewhere. He’s opted to stay here. I believe he is born to handle to tough time https://t.co/tZGRQe2GpP
— Matt Lepay (@MattLepay) October 3, 2022
ESPN Madison's Jim Rutledge:
It’s important to remember how important Paul Chryst has been to Wisconsin football.
OC during Bret’s years and a man who turned the #Badgers around after Gary Anderson.
Today sucks, probably necessary, but still sucks.
— Jim Rutledge (@JimRutledge) October 3, 2022
Shades of Bo Pelini?
Ready for a wild stat?
Bo Pelini's record at Nebraska (2008-14): 66-27
Paul Chryst's record at Wisconsin (2015-22): 67-26
— Dirk Chatelain (@dirkchatelain) October 2, 2022
An emotional press conference:
I'm typically not one to comment on this kind of thing, but #Badgers AD Chris McIntosh looked exhausted tonight. Pretty obvious the decision to fire Paul Chryst weighed on him and his comments tonight furthered that case.
— Colten Bartholomew (@CBartWSJ) October 3, 2022
Didn't call that one...
Raise your hand if you called this one.
Bret Bielema leaves Wisconsin in 2012.
Doesn't come back to Madison until 2022 and gets Paul Chryst fired.#Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) October 3, 2022
The number is reportedly much lower than what was owed:
Per Paul Chryst’s contract, the school owes him more than $16.4 million if he’s fired without cause. Terms of separation could apply. But that’s the contract.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 2, 2022
Do they?
Paul Chryst fired at Wisconsin. Wowza. Don’t kid yourself: Wisconsin has someone in mind. Just like last time when Gary Andersen bailed.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 3, 2022
The money in college football:
With today's firings of Karl Dorrell (Colorado) and Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), five Power 5 public schools are contractually committed to paying fired FB head coaches a combined total of nearly $65 million in buyouts.
(Could be lowered by deal btwn Arizona St and Herm Edwards.)— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) October 3, 2022
The Athletic looks at potential candidates:
The Paul Chryst era at Wisconsin is suddenly over.
Chryst was fired Sunday, one day after a 34-10 loss to Illinois dropped the Badgers to 2-3. @ChrisVannini looks at the desirability of the Badgers coaching job and the best potential candidates ⤵️ https://t.co/eylrPODUlU pic.twitter.com/il5rOLlsJr
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 3, 2022
The Zone's Ben Kenney looks ahead:
The timing of the Chryst decision is so interesting.
It's hard for me to see this being a true 'audition' for Leonhard, given the current struggles of the team. Almost feels more like a 7wk trial for McIntosh +Leonhard to see whether JL truly wants the job/is ready to be a HC.
— Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) October 3, 2022
Jim Leonhard steps into the head coaching role:
Jim Leonhard striking right chord. Talks about how Paul Chryst gave him a job with no coaching experience. Raves about Paul. Acknowledges, however, this is a dream for him.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 3, 2022
Gregg Doyel of the IndyStar is critical of the move:
Firing Paul Chryst after a 2-3 start? Seriously, Wisconsin, what’s wrong with you? What do you think this is, the SEC?https://t.co/OV8ubJQ1TB
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) October 3, 2022
