Barry Alvarez to coach Wisconsin in bowl against Auburn

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez will coach the Badgers in the Outback Bowl against Auburn on Jan. 1. Alvarez is replacing Gary Andersen, who abruptly accepted the job as Oregon State coach on Wednesday. Alvarez coached the Badgers for 16 years before taking the athletic director’s job. He retired following a 24-10 victory against Auburn in the 2006 Capital One Bowl. Alvarez also was pressed back into service to coach the Badgers in a loss to Stanford in the 2013 Rose Bowl after Bret Bielema left for the Arkansas coaching job. Alvarez said Thursday that a number of seniors asked him to consider coaching the team during the bowl game. “The last 24 hours have been hectic to say the least,” Alvarez said. “It’s been somewhat overwhelming but fun.” – AP