Gary Andersen is leaving his job as Wisconsin's head football coach at a strange time, after finishing 10-3 and scheduled to play Auburn in the Outback Bowl.
According to ESPN, Andersen is confirmed to be leaving Wisconsin after just two seasons there to take over the Oregon State team after they lost Mike Riley to Nebraska. Oregon State finished the season at the bottom of the Pac-12 North, going 2-7 in the conference and 5-7 overall.
Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said he was "very surprised" by the news and
"had no idea this was in the works" in a press conference Wednesday, ESPN reported. Alvarez said family moved Andersen to take the Oregon State job.
"I thought Gary was a good fit," Alvarez said. "There was never any talk about, 'Someday I'd like to get back to that part of the country.' When you're away for a while, maybe that settles in. I don't know that. Those are things you may want to ask him."
Oregon State is set to introduce Andersen at a press conference on Friday, meanwhile Alvarez said he will waste no time finding a replacement. As Alvarez indicated, the school will likely have several qualified suitors, as the Badgers are one of the better Big Ten teams of late, especially in the West division.
"President Ray and I are ecstatic that Gary is coming to Oregon State," Bob De Carolis, Oregon State athletic director, said in an announcement. "He is one of the top coaches in the country and will have instant credibility with our players, boosters and fans.
"Gary is a winner. He is a man of integrity and substance. He has extensive West Coast ties and knows the landscape of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously coached at Utah, a current conference member. He is part of the Urban Meyer coaching tree."
