Who is the next hire for Wisconsin?

[BruceyB]

My apologies if this topic has been discussed prior to my joining this humble message board, but in the coaches that do the most with the least thread, the name Bono came up, and I looked through the rankings to find that they only have two ranked wrestlers and both outside of the top 25. The program has only gone downhill since Bono's arrival. I hope they don't keep him following this horrible season.

If Wisconsin could get a coach that the AWA coaches liked (Ben has been on record several times talking poorly of Bono), they would undoubtedly retain at least some in state talent. Obviously wrestling is low on the priority list, but the AD has to know that Wisconsin's D1 high school talent is probably 10x what it has ever been in the past, and is now routinely developing big board level guys.. and none of that talent is committing to wrestle in their home state. 

It's a pipedream, as Ben has also stated many times that he doesn't want to deal with the bureaucracy of being a D1 coach, but seeing him takeover the program and create a boarder around Wisconsin would be awesome for NCAA wrestling. There is certainly no doubting his ability to coach guys to the highest level.

I have no idea what Schwab's intentions are, but if Schwab were to get the job at Wisconsin, and bring Keckeisen on staff (I would assume Keckeisen is a fan of the UNI coaching staff, otherwise he could of undoubtedly got a hefty sum to go elsewhere), that would only strengthen the AWA connection and help keep at least some of the talent in state. Listening to Parker explain technique and his approach to wrestling, I can't imagine him being anything other than an excellent coach. Wisconsin would undoubtedly have a much higher capacity to bring in money for their program as they are the only D1 team in Wisconsin, rather than being the 3rd tier in the much smaller state of Iowa. If I were hiring the next coach of Wisconsin, I would without a doubt schedule a sit down with the Askren's and at least hear their input about who they would trust sending their wrestlers to.

I think someone like Neil Erisman could be a potential candidate with how he has done with a brand new program in such a non-traditional wrestling state.

Any other current head coaches or prominent assistant coaches that would be a good fit to keep some of the top recruits in state?

[Spencerlee]

I disagree. Bono is a great coach, and should get a lifetime extension after this year.

[ionel]

2 hours ago, Spencerlee said:

I disagree. Bono is a great coach, and should get a lifetime extension after this year.

I'd be unwilling to sign off on that. 

[666]

How about Coleman Scott? 

[666]

2 hours ago, Spencerlee said:

I disagree. Bono is a great coach, and should get a lifetime extension after this year.

I think The Edge would be a better coach than Bono. 

 

[HungusMungus]

9 hours ago, BruceyB said:

My apologies if this topic has been discussed prior to my joining this humble message board, but in the coaches that do the most with the least thread, the name Bono came up, and I looked through the rankings to find that they only have two ranked wrestlers and both outside of the top 25. The program has only gone downhill since Bono's arrival. I hope they don't keep him following this horrible season.

If Wisconsin could get a coach that the AWA coaches liked (Ben has been on record several times talking poorly of Bono), they would undoubtedly retain at least some in state talent. Obviously wrestling is low on the priority list, but the AD has to know that Wisconsin's D1 high school talent is probably 10x what it has ever been in the past, and is now routinely developing big board level guys.. and none of that talent is committing to wrestle in their home state. 

It's a pipedream, as Ben has also stated many times that he doesn't want to deal with the bureaucracy of being a D1 coach, but seeing him takeover the program and create a boarder around Wisconsin would be awesome for NCAA wrestling. There is certainly no doubting his ability to coach guys to the highest level.

I have no idea what Schwab's intentions are, but if Schwab were to get the job at Wisconsin, and bring Keckeisen on staff (I would assume Keckeisen is a fan of the UNI coaching staff, otherwise he could of undoubtedly got a hefty sum to go elsewhere), that would only strengthen the AWA connection and help keep at least some of the talent in state. Listening to Parker explain technique and his approach to wrestling, I can't imagine him being anything other than an excellent coach. Wisconsin would undoubtedly have a much higher capacity to bring in money for their program as they are the only D1 team in Wisconsin, rather than being the 3rd tier in the much smaller state of Iowa. If I were hiring the next coach of Wisconsin, I would without a doubt schedule a sit down with the Askren's and at least hear their input about who they would trust sending their wrestlers to.

I think someone like Neil Erisman could be a potential candidate with how he has done with a brand new program in such a non-traditional wrestling state.

Any other current head coaches or prominent assistant coaches that would be a good fit to keep some of the top recruits in state?

Some Names kicked around the WI Wrestling forum 

Max Askren 

Nick Becker (UW Parkside head Coach) 

I personally would love to see them bring Donny P home and give him the job Alverez promised him years ago. 

Trevor Brandvold 

One thing for sure, they need to make a change, however knowing UW they will extend him another year in April, and continue down the path of being lower than pond scum in the rankings.

[TexRef]

It seems like nothing great will change for Wicy wrestling until Alverez retires. 

[Spencerlee]

24 minutes ago, TexRef said:

It seems like nothing great will change for Wicy wrestling until Alverez retires. 

Ummm… Barry retired almost 4 years ago. Conveniently around the time the athletic department fell off a cliff.

[jchapman]

25 minutes ago, TexRef said:

It seems like nothing great will change for Wicy wrestling until Alverez retires. 

Alvarez retired in 2021.

[HungusMungus]

36 minutes ago, TexRef said:

It seems like nothing great will change for Wicy wrestling until Alverez retires. 

Barry is hammering Sherry at Ruths Chris in Middleton, three nights a week when he's not in Florida! 

[Disappointed_Badger_Fan]

As a Wisconsin fan I'll give you my top 3 people I would like to see as the next head coach. 

1. Ben Askren: Obvious name recognition and has been a great coach at the club level.

2. Max Askren: Slightly less name recognition than Ben, but will probably fit into the structure and rules NCAA coaches have to follow.

3. Nick Becker: Has been great at Parkside, great relationships within the state for recruiting, and he has a good relationship with AWA so we can hopefully keep some of our studs home.

4. Non obvious hire, Alex Dieringer: From Wisconsin, great wrestler, and seems like a great guy. 

 

At the end of the day though they could hire basically anyone and get better results than what Bozo is currently getting.

[Greenwave]

Sam Barber from AF and his staff

[Mr. PeanutButter]

10 hours ago, Spencerlee said:

I disagree. Bono is a great coach, and should get a lifetime extension after this year.

I don't really get this. Maybe some personal vendetta against the school? It's good for the sport to have more strong programs. 

[BruceyB]

2 hours ago, Mr. PeanutButter said:

I don't really get this. Maybe some personal vendetta against the school? It's good for the sport to have more strong programs. 

I can only assume it was a dismal attempt at being humorous.

[TexRef]

8 hours ago, Spencerlee said:

Ummm… Barry retired almost 4 years ago. Conveniently around the time the athletic department fell off a cliff.

Thank you to the 3 folks that were nice enough not roast me to the utmost for making a mistake. 

Great responses too! 

Now that I know Barry is no longer there, I better read up on the other things wrong with the Wiscy program. 

[AgaveMaria]

Is Mark Schultz available?

[RawDog]

Maybe Andrew Howe, didn't he win a title for Wisconsin?  I believe he is currently an assistant with northwestern so he has some experience.

Tyler graff could also be an option.

 

Ben Askren is the obvious choice and Wisconsin needs to find a way to make that happen.

[AgaveMaria]

9 hours ago, RawDog said:

Maybe Andrew Howe, didn't he win a title for Wisconsin?  I believe he is currently an assistant with northwestern so he has some experience.

Tyler graff could also be an option.

 

Ben Askren is the obvious choice and Wisconsin needs to find a way to make that happen.

Won't happen. He does not want the headaches of a full time coaching job. Part time assistant/consultant or visiting coach/clinic guy is where he is at - if what he is saying about this is real.

[BuckyBadger]

Right now, the question is if the AD cares that the program isn’t doing well and sees a need for a change. Bono’s contract just got extended recently when all the problems that have been discussed here were already apparent.

It doesn’t look like getting a new coach is a priority for the AD. Until that happens, things are status quo.

[HungusMungus]

On 1/11/2025 at 12:08 PM, BuckyBadger said:

Right now, the question is if the AD cares that the program isn’t doing well and sees a need for a change. Bono’s contract just got extended recently when all the problems that have been discussed here were already apparent.

It doesn’t look like getting a new coach is a priority for the AD. Until that happens, things are status quo.

Sad thing is Mac was a state champ wrestler in Wisconsin during his HS days. He has shown very little give a *I poop my pants, don't laugh at me* for the wrestling team since he took over. I think this program will be reduced to club level sooner than later. 

[BuckyBadger]

If a school like UW, which is in a much better position than most programs, is reduced to club level then we are in for a very bleak landscape for college wrestling. Something like DI men’s gymnastics, where there are like 11 or 12 DI programs.

[steamboat_charlie]

There's a lot that's up in the air right now for NCAA athletics as a whole.

Until the settlement is finalized (scheduled for April 2025), I don't think you're going to see a lot of big programs making aggressive moves, unless they have a serious outside benefactor that can effect change (like in Stillwater).  

P5 Athletics budgets are about to be upended.  If/once it's clear that D1 wrestling is going to continue in something close to its current format, you could see Bono get shown the door.  Until then I wouldn't expect a single extra dollar to be spent on the program that they don't raise themselves.  

[nick]

On 1/11/2025 at 12:16 AM, RawDog said:

Maybe Andrew Howe, didn't he win a title for Wisconsin?  I believe he is currently an assistant with northwestern so he has some experience.

Tyler graff could also be an option.

 

Ben Askren is the obvious choice and Wisconsin needs to find a way to make that happen.

Howe isn't at Northwestern anymore, he's coaching his club in Indiana now

It was kinda cool, last offseason at Freestyle State it was Howe in one corner and (Jason) Tsirtsis in the opposite corner

[pokemonster]

Have Luke Fickell take over the wrestling team too, he was a legendary hs wrestler in Ohio before he decided to stick with football. Can't be much worse than their current state. 

[Dogbone]

I know the Wisconsin fans are hoping Bono is gone and they can replace him with a huge upgrade, but if Wisconsin cared about winning in wrestling, he would of probably been fired prior to this season.

Most likely the AD doesn't want to prioritize the funds for wrestling and, if he ever does fire Bono won't replace him with a huge name/$$$.  Best case is I would guess they give it to Reader.