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There has been a lot of hemming and hawing over the new Wisconsin football coaching staff on the internet since Paul Chryst was hired. Excitement, outrage and rumor mongering have been three key facets of the search, but today Chryst put some of the rumors to bed by announcing a good chunk of his staff.
Thomas Brown will stay on as running back coach while four members of Pitt's staff will be joining Chryst in Madison. Inoke Breckterfield (DL), Ross Kolodziej (strength and conditioning), Mickey Turner (tight ends) and Chris Haering (special teams) can now officially count themselves as members of the Badger coaching staff with today's announcement.
Here are a few reactions from Twitter from various beat writers about the presser and the new coaching hires.
UW announces "official" staff hires: Brown at RB, Breckterfield at DL, Haering on special teams and Turner at TE.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) January 14, 2015
Former Badgers?src=hash">#Badgers DL Ross Kolodziej back as strength and conditioning coach.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) January 14, 2015
To recap, 6 of 9 #Badgers assistants have been officially hired. WRs likely Jay Norvell; Secondary likely Daronte Jones. That leaves OLB.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) January 14, 2015
There is no mention of Ben Strickland on this release announcing the first 5 assistants. Interesting. ... #Badgers
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) January 14, 2015
Chryst on hiring fmr #Badgers: "Those guys know the state, know the program and respect it. I put value into (that) but it's not imperative"
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) January 14, 2015
PC says his priority is to finish the staff and close out recruiting class. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) January 14, 2015
PC says he felt it was important to have a full-time special teams coach. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) January 14, 2015
Chryst said he's still working through recruiting territories with his assistant coaches, but "We're going to start from within (the state)"
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Chryst says he thinks the world of Bob Bostad, but says they didn't have discussions about him coming to UW. Says Bostad is in a good spot.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Chryst also spent some time talking about each coach and why he hired them.
Chryst on Haering; "A lot of the core fundamental values we saw eye-to-eye on."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Chryst on special teams coach Chris Haering: "I thought he did a heck of a job with our (Pitt) players" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) January 14, 2015
Chryst on Breckterfield: "I think he certainly helped Aaron Donald. I think Inoke is pretty special in that way."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Chryst on DL coach Breckterfield: "The things he values in coaching are things I appreciate. He's a guy you want to be around" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) January 14, 2015
Chryst on RB coach Brown: "I've been around some (great) ones. It's a pretty high bar. He has some of those core principles" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) January 14, 2015
Chryst said he talked to players, including Gordon, about Thomas Brown before retaining him.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) January 14, 2015
#Badgers OC Rudolph coached TE coach Turner 2 years at UW. Bright kid, who became team leader as senior.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) January 14, 2015
Chryst: "I would hope in a lot of things that I do, I can lean on (Barry Alvarez) as a resource. I feel fortunate to have that." #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda also got their turn on the mic today.
#Badgers Aranda: I love the kids here, especially the group that is coming up. Excited about their potential.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) January 14, 2015
#Badgers Aranda welcomes B1G success. Says you want to be challenged, to have players battle on bigger stages.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) January 14, 2015
Aranda had a lot of opportunities elsewhere, but: "this is something I wanted to do from the start." #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Aranda on '15 D: "We can improve in all areas. I can say in full confidence that we have the ability to do that."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Aranda says D can still improve in all areas after a successful 2014 season, especially when it comes to creating turnovers. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) January 14, 2015
Rudolph on best part of being back: "I've always had incredible passion for Wisconsin."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
Rudolph said it was difficult to leave UW the last time, but it was "a great growth period" for him. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) January 14, 2015
Rudolph said he’s grown as an offensive coordinator over the last few years. Learned a lot from having to use younger players at Pitt.
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) January 14, 2015
Rudolph said Chryst's core principles haven't changed over the last three years as a HC compared to when he was UW's OC
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
And lastly, giving hope to the Stave on McEvoy's shoulders camp, Rudolph had this to say about the quarterback position:
Rudolph on QB: "We'll enjoy learning about them, finding their strengths...& put them in positions where they are confident & successful"
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 14, 2015
THE POSITION IS ON MCEVOY'S SHOULDERS, JOE!