Andersen: Alvarez was ‘not nosy in football’

Former UW coach says he's not leaving with anger or hatred

MADISON, Wis. — Former University of Wisconsin football head coach Gary Andersen told an ESPN radio show Friday morning that his departure has nothing to the with the relationship he had with athletic director Barry Alvarez.

During a call to the Mike and Mike Show, Andersen said Alvarez was “not nosy in football, whatsoever.”

“I want to make sure everyone understands that’s not the facts for me leaving, whatsoever. I left for a lot of different reasons.”

When asked about whether the decision to coach at Oregon State was because it’s closer to his family out west, he said that was part of the reason.

“It’s nicer to be closer to home. But it wasn’t a major factor. It never bothered me,” he said. “I loved Madison, I loved Wisconsin. My wife was very happy there. My boys were happy there.”

He said he was able to meet with the players one-on-one before he left, and that he didn’t leave “with a bunch of anger or hatred.”

Andersen said he’s impressed and excited about the direction Oregon State is headed.

He’s expected to be formally announced as the head coach at Oregon State on Friday.

Alvarez will coach the team against Auburn at the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. A report states that former UW offensive coordinator Paul Chryst has been tapped as the next head coach for the Badgers.