Alvarez to step down, former Iowa player to become Badgers coach

Former Iowa assistant coach Barry Alvarez made a big announcement today (Thursday) on his future as the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin.Alvarez says he will step down as coach at the end of the 2005 season. Alvarez reminisced about his Alvarez has a record of 108-70-and-4 during 15 seasons at Wisconsin. Wisconsin had not been to a bowl since 1963 before he led them into the Rose Bowl in 1994, and he has an overall bowl record of 7-3. Alvarez tabbed former University of Iowa player and current Badger assistant coach Bret Bielema to succeed him as the head coach. He says although he’s spent just one season with Bielema, he “couldn’t be more convinced that Bielema is the right man to replace me.” Bielema joined the Wisconsin program last season as the defensive coordinator. Alvarez says maintaining the program’s continuity was important so they don’t lose a recruiting season. Bielema was also at the announcement, and says it’s a big day for the program. He thanked Alvarez for believing in him and trusting him.Alvarez led Mason City to a state football championship in 1978, and one year later joined Hayden Fry’s staff to help rebuild the Iowa program. He later went to Notre Dame as an assistant and then to Wisconsin to become head coach.