Bret Bielema said it best: "We were friends yesterday and now we've got to battle it out a little bit."
That was the Badger head coach on his weekly radio show (via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jeff Potrykus) talking about Paul Chryst, who was announced as Pitt's new head coach today.
Bielema said he wants to hire his new offensive coordinator from his current staff -- either offensive line coach Bob Bostad or tight ends coach Joe Rudolph -- but also said that Chryst has already made offers to two members on the Wisconsin staff. Not surprisingly, Potrykus reports Bostad and Rudolph are the ones who received those offers.
To me, the biggest question is whether or not Chryst retains play calling duties. I expect that he will, which could entice Bielema's top choice to stay because he would have full offensive coordinator responsibilities.
Of course the other one could be tempted to go with Chryst and be his right-hand man. Rudolph makes a lot of sense in that role because he is currently Wisconsin's recruiting coordinator and Chryst has never been very involved in recruiting. Rudolph is exactly the kind of assistant coach Chryst could use. At the same time, Bostad seems like the more likely candidate to take over as Wisconsin's offensive coordinator.
I can only wonder how awkward of a situation this is right now. Chryst is still on staff with the Badgers through the Rose Bowl. Things might get weird.
Konz Set To Play In Rose Bowl
Wisconsin center Peter Konz got a second opinion on his ankle in North Carolina Wednesday and he has been cleared to practice, Bielema said on the radio show.
Konz may practice tomorrow, but it appears he'll be full go once the Badgers get to Pasadena Monday.