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Wisconsin to Hire Utah State's Gary Andersen As Next Head Coach

Cartoon bubble capturing Andersen's thoughts, or a first down marker?  You be the judge.
Cartoon bubble capturing Andersen's thoughts, or a first down marker? You be the judge.
Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Things have been getting uncomfortable in Madison the last few days. Bret Bielema unexpectedly left for Arkansas right after their conference championship game win over Nebraska, and one by one, Bielema's assistants left.

When tight ends coach Eddie Faulkner left for NC State earlier today, there were only three assistant coaches left.

Yeah, that's all about to change. Multiple reports from the mothership, Bucky's 5th Quarter, and elsewhere are reporting that Utah State head coach Gary Andersen has accepted the Badgers top job, and will bring all or most of his assistants with him to Madison.

So how good of a hire is this for Wisconsin? Well, before Andersen arrived in Logan, the Aggies (really, that's their nickname?) were terrible, and had collected a winning percentage of only .359 since they returned to FBS Div 1-A football. In the four years he's been at Utah State, he went from 4-8 to 11-2 this year, and back to back Famous Idaho Potato Bowl appearances. Their 2011 bowl was their first bowl appearance since 1997, and last Saturday they crushed Toledo and won their first bowl game since 1993.

B5Q also has a great breakdown of Andersen. Head over there and get to know Wisconsin's new coach a little bit better.

So, B1G fans...good hire or not?