Alvarez to Assume Dual Role in 2004
February 14, 2003 | Football
Barry Alvarez, already the winningest football coach in school history, will now have the opportunity to stamp the entire Wisconsin Department of Athletics with his successful brand of leadership when he takes over as director of athletics upon Pat Richter's retirement from the position in April of 2004.
Alvarez will assume the dual role of football coach and athletic director and emphasized that he will not soon be relinquishing the reins of the football program he has worked for 13 seasons to build.
'One reason I feel confident in doing both jobs is because I 've inherited such an outstanding group of people in the administration and I 'll run the department much like I coach a football team,' Alvarez said Friday. 'Put a good plan in order, hire good people to execute it and be flexible enough to make adjustments. I'm really looking forward to meeting with all of the coaches in the department and I want to send a strong message to them so that they know that I will be committed to continue the growth of the athletic department, not just football.'
Alvarez owns a 92-61-4 record as the Badgers' head coach. He has guided the UW to three Big Ten and Rose Bowl titles and is a remarkable 7-1 in bowl games. That track record leaves him excited about remaining football coach in addition to assuming his new duties.
'I want to make it perfectly clear, to eliminate any negative recruiting, that I plan on continuing to be the football coach and I am very excited about the future of our football program,' Alvarez said.
The Badgers, who won the 2002 Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard, open spring practice on March 6 and will work out through much of March and into April. The annual spring game at Camp Randall Stadium is on April 12.
