MONROE - University of Wisconsin football fans got a chance to meet and quiz new coach Gary Andersen on the upcoming season.
Andersen gave an update on the Badgers as part of the 60th annual Monroe Badger Days Tuesday at Ludlow Mansion. Andersen was hired in January to replace former coach Bret Bielema who took the head coaching position at Arkansas.
Andersen answered questions in a town hall setting at Ludlow Mansion, addressing his offensive and defensive schemes, recruiting, wide receiver openings, the quarterback battle and his relationship with Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.
"We want to be a powering running team," Andersen said of the Badgers' offense. "I don't see a big departure from the offense and the pro style two years ago. It was an offense that could hurt you in a lot of different ways and when it broke down, Russell (Wilson) could make something happen."
James White and Melvin Gordon will give the Badgers a powerful 1-2 punch at running back. Wisconsin wide receiver Jared Abbrederis is set to be the Badgers' go-to receiver again this year.
"We need to have a couple of younger guys step up and be a compliment to Jared," Andersen said. "I don't know who that will be."
One player that will get a crack at the roster is Darlington alumnus Alex Erickson. Erickson had more than 2,000 total combined yards as a quarterback for the Redbirds a couple years ago. Erickson was a walk-on for the Badgers in 2011 and he is competing for a spot at wide receiver this season.
"Alex will have an opportunity," Andersen said. "He's an explosive, smart and talented young man. I think he really improved in the spring. I'm excited to see how much he improves this summer."
Andersen said the bottom line is the best players will play. Andersen also favors a multi-dimensional offense that incorporates the option.
"If personnel allows it, we would like to run the option," Andersen said. "As a defensive coordinator, it gives you a lot of problems."
The Badgers, the three-time Big Ten champions, also have a quarterback competition that includes sixth-year senior Curt Phillips, sophomore Joel Stave, Arizona Western junior college transfer Tanner McEvoy, and Bart Houston - a top California recruit from last year.
"It's an interesting dynamic when we walked out of spring ball," Andersen said of the crop of quarterbacks. "Curt has been in the program a number of years and he did what he does. Joel is obviously in the competition. They are different and both compliment each other. They compete well. Bart was hurt last year, but he can really throw the ball. The challenge for him and McEvoy is learning the offense."
On defense, Andersen plans to run both odd and even fronts at times with elaborate blitzes. The defense will be led by linebacker Chris Borland who sat out spring practices as a precaution. The Badgers are counting on several junior college transfers and freshman Sojourn Shellton to step in at cornerback.
Andersen envisions being a national player during recruiting.
"Wisconsin is our base and we will branch out to the Midwest, Florida and Georgia," he said. "It's a powerful logo (the UW). We should have a big recruiting area because of our program and to get to where we want to be. We are not just recruiting the four- or five-star kid. We want to make sure he's a good fit."
Years ago, Andersen coached with Meyer at Utah. Andersen served as defensive line coach for then-head coach Meyer.
"Together we never lost a game," Andersen said of his time with Meyer. "Now that we are coaching apart someone will lose. (Meyer) gave me a job. I'm grateful for that. It will be a tremendous competition."
Andersen later went on to be the head coach at Utah State, where he went 26-24 overall including an 11-2 record last season and a WAC championship. Utah State was an eyelash away from beating the Badgers last year before dropping a 16-14 heartbreaker on a a 37-yard missed field goal with seconds left.
Andersen gave an update on the Badgers as part of the 60th annual Monroe Badger Days Tuesday at Ludlow Mansion. Andersen was hired in January to replace former coach Bret Bielema who took the head coaching position at Arkansas.
Andersen answered questions in a town hall setting at Ludlow Mansion, addressing his offensive and defensive schemes, recruiting, wide receiver openings, the quarterback battle and his relationship with Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.
"We want to be a powering running team," Andersen said of the Badgers' offense. "I don't see a big departure from the offense and the pro style two years ago. It was an offense that could hurt you in a lot of different ways and when it broke down, Russell (Wilson) could make something happen."
James White and Melvin Gordon will give the Badgers a powerful 1-2 punch at running back. Wisconsin wide receiver Jared Abbrederis is set to be the Badgers' go-to receiver again this year.
"We need to have a couple of younger guys step up and be a compliment to Jared," Andersen said. "I don't know who that will be."
One player that will get a crack at the roster is Darlington alumnus Alex Erickson. Erickson had more than 2,000 total combined yards as a quarterback for the Redbirds a couple years ago. Erickson was a walk-on for the Badgers in 2011 and he is competing for a spot at wide receiver this season.
"Alex will have an opportunity," Andersen said. "He's an explosive, smart and talented young man. I think he really improved in the spring. I'm excited to see how much he improves this summer."
Andersen said the bottom line is the best players will play. Andersen also favors a multi-dimensional offense that incorporates the option.
"If personnel allows it, we would like to run the option," Andersen said. "As a defensive coordinator, it gives you a lot of problems."
The Badgers, the three-time Big Ten champions, also have a quarterback competition that includes sixth-year senior Curt Phillips, sophomore Joel Stave, Arizona Western junior college transfer Tanner McEvoy, and Bart Houston - a top California recruit from last year.
"It's an interesting dynamic when we walked out of spring ball," Andersen said of the crop of quarterbacks. "Curt has been in the program a number of years and he did what he does. Joel is obviously in the competition. They are different and both compliment each other. They compete well. Bart was hurt last year, but he can really throw the ball. The challenge for him and McEvoy is learning the offense."
On defense, Andersen plans to run both odd and even fronts at times with elaborate blitzes. The defense will be led by linebacker Chris Borland who sat out spring practices as a precaution. The Badgers are counting on several junior college transfers and freshman Sojourn Shellton to step in at cornerback.
Andersen envisions being a national player during recruiting.
"Wisconsin is our base and we will branch out to the Midwest, Florida and Georgia," he said. "It's a powerful logo (the UW). We should have a big recruiting area because of our program and to get to where we want to be. We are not just recruiting the four- or five-star kid. We want to make sure he's a good fit."
Years ago, Andersen coached with Meyer at Utah. Andersen served as defensive line coach for then-head coach Meyer.
"Together we never lost a game," Andersen said of his time with Meyer. "Now that we are coaching apart someone will lose. (Meyer) gave me a job. I'm grateful for that. It will be a tremendous competition."
Andersen later went on to be the head coach at Utah State, where he went 26-24 overall including an 11-2 record last season and a WAC championship. Utah State was an eyelash away from beating the Badgers last year before dropping a 16-14 heartbreaker on a a 37-yard missed field goal with seconds left.
