Gary Andersen to Oregon State: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know

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Oregon State has chosen to hire Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen as its next head coach. Andersen was chosen from a group of five finalists.

Andersen, 50, will be introduced at a press conference in Corvallis on Friday afternoon.

Here is what you need to know:


1. Andersen was Previously Wisconsin’s Head Coach

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Andersen left Utah State after 2012 to become the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers replacing Bret Bielema. In two seasons as Badgers head coach, he finished 19-7 with losses in the Big Ten Championship Game in each season.

He was also the head coach at Utah State (2009-12) and Southern Utah (2003). Before Utah State, he spent three years as defensive coordinator at Utah, including the 2008 team that went undefeated and beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Andersen released a statement thanking Wisconsin:

“First and foremost I want to thank Coach Alvarez for the opportunity to coach at the University of Wisconsin. I also want to thank my staff and the people at UW. We worked very hard together and accomplished some great things. I had the opportunity to meet and coach some great young men and I look forward to watching them as they continue their careers and move through life.”


2. Andersen Replaces Mike Riley

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Riley, Oregon State’s head coach from 2003-14, took the opening at Nebraska after Bo Pelini was fired. In 11 seasons, he was 93-80 with five bowl wins and several upsets over Oregon and USC during that time frame.


3. The Big Ten and Pac 12 Pulled the Ole’ Switcheroo

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Nebraska — a Big Ten program — lured Riley away from Oregon State. Coincidentally, Oregon State — a Pac 12 program — lured Andersen away from Wisconsin.


4. This Was a Total Shocker

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According to Pro Football Talk:

Just as shocking as Nebraska hiring Riley from Oregon State, the Beavers luring a coach away from one of the top Big Ten programs in recent seasons is a bit of a shock.

After 2013, Andersen signed an extension with Wisconsin through 2018, which makes this news even more surprising.


5. There are Now Vacancies at Both Michigan and Wisconsin

Gary Andersen, Wisconsin Badgers, Oregon State, Beavers

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Last week, Michigan fired Brady Hoke. Both programs will be looking to fill their head coaching vacancies in the next two months. Michigan offered Duke head coach David Cutcliffe the job, but he turned it down.