Tough loss today. We played really well and the dynamic duo of Clay and Hill trampled the Michigan State* defense. However, the story of the game is clock management. Some might say that spiking the ball when you have a timeout is a mistake. Those same people might also tell you that it's unwise to call timeout and allow the opposing kicker to settle himself when that kicker is about to attempt a game winning, 44 yard field goal. Bret Bielema disagrees with these people and their views on football. Who do you agree with?
On a side note, did the announcers have a bet over how many times they could use the word mayday in one minute?
mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday
*my apologies to MSU fans
Saturday, November 1, 2008
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147 comments:
Bret Bielema is absolutely the worst coach at managing a game I have ever seen. Why call a timeout and help the other team regroup? It's absurd! He can't coach, he can't instill discipline in his team (how many yards in penalties today? and he can't recruit. What's left? Get rd of the bum. We should never have lost this game just like we should never have lost the michigan game. What a loser Bielema is!!!!!
They kept saying mayday because they almost went over the quota for Javon Ringer references during the game
Did JS-Online shut down its Badger site and blog?
Does anyone want to defend the coaching in the Michigan State game?
Does anyone care anymore?
gaffy cares!
Bret has to go. This program is way too much for him to handle. Why call time out? Because Brett did not have his team prepared and ready on the sidelines. Worst offensive calling in a game they should have won. As an alumni I will not attend another bielema coached team.
its not all bielema's fault point at dummy that was called for offensive holding other wise wisconsin would of won
I would of called a timeout right away there was almost 30 seconds left and wisconsin had two time outs. calling it with 12 seconds makes no sense
Now that Bilema has a big fat contract, he's daring Aleverexz to fire him. He really doesn't wnat to be in Wisconsin, and now he's guarenteed money, he's putting in a half-ass effort.
Barry should come back and demote Bilema to a position like pratcice squad coach
Not sure why he waited 10 seconds or so to call a timeout. If you're going to call it to leave time on the clock, do it once the play was over. It just doesn't seem like Bielema knows what he's doing. The unsportsmanlike penalty really chapped my hide. It seems like Bielema thinks these games are all about him instead of putting his players in the best position to win the game. Wisconsin resembled old Spartan teams today, ugh.
Look at Bielema's recruiting. Wisconsin should lose to the Ohio State's, Michigan's and Penn State's. When you lose to the other Big 10 teams you have to make a change at coach. Just another guy walking away with big money!
It is one thing to stand behind your team with things aren't going your way, but this program needs a change.
I don't mind the occasional down season, hey, at Wisconsin, its going to happen. But this team is getting worse, not better.
It is YOUR DUTY AS A FAN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN to DEMAND this ends. Today's performance is unacceptable and embarrassing. This years team is going to lose to Iowa, Michigan State, and Minnesota in the same year.
If you want a Country Club atmosphere like the 80's stick up for Bret. This is a performance based business when your HC is getting millions of dollars a year to coach football. The nonsense I saw today is unacceptable for a High School in August, more or less a Big Ten team in November.
Play Hard, Play Smart, Get Better each week, I can live with losing that way. Play Dumb, have COACH'S GETTING PENALITIES IN A CLOSE GAME, CALLING TIME OUT WHEN THE OTHER TEAM IS RUNNING ON THE FIELD TO KICK THE GAME WINNING FIELD GOAL WHEN YOU, YES YOU BRET ARE SELF APPOINTED IN CHARGE OF SPECIAL TEAMS? I'm sorry, that can't be tolarated.... anywhere!!!
It looked like Michigan State had their field goal unit on the field and ready to go while Wisconsin was running guys on and off the field. MAYBE and it's only a maybe, Bielema called time out to make sure MSU didn't get an extra 5 yards for the FG attempt.
The media will have to ask him. If it was to save the 5 yards he may have had a reason, but 44 or 39 yards I'd still rather rush the kicker into his attempt.
Either way Swenson is a very good kicker, sans last week.
Bielema is a horrible coach. The penalties are embarassing, the challenge on the punt at the 1 was stupid, punting in the 4th quarter on 4th and 2 on the 36 yard line was weak and the finish to the game with the 10 guys on defense and then the timeout was just not acceptable. Bielema is the special teams coach and the head coach. He totally screwed up the entire thing. No one to blame other than himself. He needs to be fired.
As a Badger fan and alum since the early 70's, I have experienced many disappointing and frustrating losses. But nothing, not in over 35 years compares with the anger and disgust I felt watching today's loss against MSU. I cannot remember being this pissed off before! Without commenting on all the questionable penalty calls and coaching decisions, all I can say is that Bielema's final "IDIOTIC" decision to call a time out instead of forcing the MSU kicker to rush the field goal attempt in the closing seconds of the game sent me over the edge. I need to check my blood pressure, I am still shaking with anger...FULL ON LIVID! I fear I may have a heart attack. I was shaking with emotion, words could not come out of my mouth, no matter how vulgar or crude, that could express my frustration. I wanted to grab Bielema from inside my Sony HD, rip those stupid sunglasses from his face and wring his neck until his complexion matched the color of that pathetic windbreaker he wears ad infinitum! Oh God, this is just a game, I have to calm myself down. These are just college kids playing a game. I need to get a grip. FIRE BIELEMA...NOW !
This game just burned my lily white a**!
just a heads up on calling time out with 30 seconds left? it was first down. they could have kneeled the ball and spiked it with 5 seconds left and then had the same situation...
This loss was against a HORRIBLE PLAY by MSU.
WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR PASS DEFENSE ON THE LAS MSU DRIVE??? THEY ONLY HAD TO CATCH ABOUT 3 OUT OF 12 TO BEAT US!
I got a laugh out of Bret protesting the clear spot to the twenty -- Bret, teach our guy to knock it back in play, not catch it while falling into the endzone. Jeesh!
Then, I rolled on the floor when Bret protested the loss of his timeout, I assume, because Bret argued the officials were split?
gaffy, beyond pain, still rotflmao.
Class 83'
Bottom Line:
Bielema is soaking in cash, and screwing the Wisconsin alum and fans that pay his fat salary. It's a very common situation. We're stuyck with hiom unless the university wants to take a big $ loss.
I think he should adjust his headset a couple more times, maybe that'll help.
I blame Alvarez for promoting a very mediocre 30 something defensive coordinator.
Bielema lived on Barry's success for the first couple of years, now he's on his own and he's in over his head.
There was only 10 men on the field for our defense to block the field goal. BB had to timeout because out team is too incompetent to know how many players should be on the field
All year I watched with distaste the same Badger team that I've seen ever since Alvarez took over: will simply grind down lesser teams, be tough once in a while against elite teams, but ultimately never be a threat to go to the next level. The Badgers are better than the doormats they were before Alvarez came in, but you have to continue to improve. You play the game to be champions, not in the Big Ten, but on a national level. 'Three yards and a cloud of dust' will NEVER win a National Title again. Sadly, as the loser of an AD we have will always schedule Blind Nuns as our non-conference opponents, we will always have enough wins to be bowl-elgible (well, maybe not this year), and they will pretend like everything's okay.
Wouldn't matter who is coaching. The Spartans are better than the Badgers.
Again, another game where Bielema's absurd play-calling/game management cost the Badger's a loss. I think his true Iowa colors are showing through: destroy the Badgers.
either call a timeout with 30 seconds left (giving us a chance at a game-winning field goal) or don't call it at all. This is a mistake my five year old brother wouldn't have made. Two more complaints: first, for the second time this season we got no pressure in a last second drive and watched a quarterback sit in the pocket and pick apart our defense. the prevent just isn't working. second, with two running backs over 100 yards and a lead with time running out why would you decide to run a boot leg and then two reverses... terrible move
Brett Bielema is an abomination to caoching. We have over 281 yards running the ball with two 100 yard runners and he has sherer throwing the football 29 times! What is that? State can't stop our run for the life of them so Bielima does it for them!!! And when Sherer did throw the ball it was to the outside where he couldn't get the ball within 3 yards of the reciever. Did anyone notice the drive at the end of the first half where Sherer was hitting recievers and tight ends over the middle? Just another example of Bielima not doing what worked. Then netting a 15 yard punt and burn a timeout to challenge what was clearly the correct call? The badgers played the crap out of the spartans holding their hailed javon ringer to a whopping 54 yards and had over 100 yards of offense on them. Too bad this talent is thrown down the well by a coach who can't manage a game or disipline players who gave up 121 yards in penalties. Michigan State is not the better team. The Badgers have a coach who spent the entire game with his head up his you know where.
What a disappointment! Oh well it's back to the Don Morton era when the Big Ten used the Badgers as an easy, no fuss win, and we sucked! Lack of discipline. penalties, lack of execution,sloppy play! One word: Coaching! Need new coaches or new direction.
Just a stupidity summary:
-Challenging a clear touchback
-Kicking on a 4th & 2 from the 36
-Calling multiple timeouts for the opposing team
-Spiking the ball with 2 timeouts left
-Prevent defense (enough said)
Also the bogus holding penalty was the worst. That kind of stuff happens on every play, why call it there? On top of that the pass interference calls and no calls were atrocious. Also, every week the announcers just seem to hate us more and more...
no mention in the blog about the 20 yards in penalties on the officiating?
For one of the first times of the season, special teams did not put us in a hole or cost us a game. I think it's obvious that Bret put all of his time into that aspect of coaching and no time into game management...or common sense football. Our secondary is the worst in the Big Ten one week and top three the next week...this week, HORRIBLE. All of those flags were deserved and we probably should have gotten a few more. But even with that, we still should have won the game, but thanks to Mr. Hawkeye, we go back to Madison 1-5 in the Big Ten. Fire Bret...not even a question.
I have been a UW alumni season ticket holder since 1992 and am seriously considering not repurchasing tickets next year or until they get this absurd coach out of the picture. Bielema got handed a phenomenal team and has since driven it into the ground. I love going to the games week after week, but this season has been totally different. The fans in the stands are pissed. When you hear the boos, it is not for the players, but for the ego driven coach on the sideline. Can the bastard NOW!!!
Oh yeah, I am also from Racine Park HS, and want them to play John Clay more. I know that I am biased, but every time he enters the game, he not only energizes the team, but also the crowd. I love that kid to death.
This MSU loss is really hard to take!!!
Why let the clock run down and then get the time put back on the clock.
Why call 2 time outs so the other team can get it's act together.
I stood by Bret Bielema until today!! Thank God my mother is not alive to see this happen. She went crazy with the "take a knee" thing several years ago.
As a UW Student I can tell you the following for a fact. Bielema is a wreck. He is at the local bars just as often as most undergrad fratboys. He dates college girls and has had sex with at least 3 undergrads I know. He buys drinks for entire groups of girls at the bars like its nothing.
This guy shows no discipline in his personal life, and cannot discipline his football team. I know several players on the team and their respect for him is minimal.
Bret... has to go.
Did anyone also notice that the television camera was on him, giving us all a front row seat of coach giving it to the officials. Ah, but they got back didn't they? Coach gets a 15-yarder for his boys. Bucky had so many penalties called on their defensive backs that they went soft on their coverage, giving Michigan State ample opportunity to get into field goal range before coach's time-outs. Come to think of it, it really isn't about the players at all. It's all about HIM.
Clock management is all about IQ, and Bielema's isn't high enough. He's got to go.
Bielema needs to go - he stands there and looks like he just doesn't get it. He's got a good, talented group of guys who played a good game today. Coaching lost it for them...it's not fair to the the the players.
Was Bielema trying to throw this game? Sure looked that way, and is the only possible explanation for losing this game. His game management is absolutely abhorrent and the last TO he called today will make him the laughingstock of coaching circles everywhere.
How can someone inherite a team like this and screw it up so bad. He cannont recruit any talent, and cannot manage a game to save his life. Beliema needs to go.
i can no longer watch wisconsin football games with fellow big ten alumni. it's just too hard hearing it from them when our team blows game after game. we are the laughing stock of the conference and i cannot support it. no more UW donations until Bielema is gone.
I agree! Bielema should go! He can't coach and he surely can't recruit. He was only good his first 2 years because he was working with players recruited by Alvarez. I've never seen the Badgers look this bad. It's pathetic. They're at the bottom of the heap in the Big Ten. What a disgrace. And fire Paul Chryst while you're at it!
Thanks for calling that timeout!
my favorite was the sideline interference followed by the unsportsmanlike conduct
First off it is Michigan State not Michigan. Your coach should think twice about talking to officals. It cost the team 15 yards on top of the penalty and put the Spartans at the 45 and in the end they scored making it a 6 point game. Then calling a time out when our kicker was running onto to the field with 15 seconds left. 44 yarder game over. Maybe the Wisconsin band should of been there they could of helped the Badgers win. Sparty On!!
Beautiful call. Coach B is a real keeper. We love the new savants around the league like Coach B and DickRod at Michigan. Coach Dantonio is great and has MSU on the path back to glory in his third year, we 8-2 and have a legitimate chance at the Rose Bowl. Thanks Coach B
Rose Bowl: USC 56 Michigan St. 6
Short memories...there was nobody worse than Barry at clock management. BB is following in his footsteps. The most disappointing thing is the penalties. Barry would not tolerate such a lack of discipline. BB needs to right this ship. This year may be shot but if significant improvement is not shown next year he should be fired at that time.
Right the ship? We need a mutiny. After todays game this bum shouldn't get an opprotunity to right this ship that he has veered grossly off-course!
The last quarter of this game was one of the most painful I have watched in years. Did ANYBODY actually think they would win once the game started to go downhill?
I think Barry needs to make a change at the end of the season.
You should spread the blame. You absurd Wisconsin fans think you should be in 1st in the Big Ten, and you are last. The coach didn't cause that alone. Your team stinks from the top to the bottom.
The side of the ball Bielema personally coaches is Special Teams. There's nothing special about how they execute. How many times in the last 3 games have we seen Bret's own squad run on the field with too many / few men, allow a huge run back, or have a penalty called that is avoidable. He is awful. I feel bad for this group of Seniors.
it was obvious and everybody knew it. The Mich St. Receivers completely outclassed the badger secondary. I'm surprised that 10 more penalties weren't called on us..
WE GOT BEAT ON ALMOST EVERY LONG PASS PLAY.. PATHETIC PLAYERS AND COACHING
I've said it to all who know me. I've been coaching football for 13 years now. Bielema does not have the game experiences needed to coach at this level. He's neve been a HC. First, his ego gets in the way. Second, time and time again he has displayed that when it comes to the minute details of the game he hasn't a clue as to what to do, how to correct them, or how to slow/speed them up or manage through them. Terrible mistakes! Fire Bielema NOW!!!!
Bielema's post game comments were that he didn't have enough players on the field before the field goal. So what? You can't be penalized for too few players, just too many. After this many games, wouldn't a Big Ten Head Coach know the rules? Poor play starts at the top. Michigan, OSU and MSU were all wins that turned into late losses due to coaching.
Fire Bret.
Despite how much many of us want to see B.B. get shit canned if not now when the season ends, who actually thinks that Barry is going to be a man and admit that he made a huge mistake in hiring Bielema? It probably going to take at least one more season of this kind of bull shit for us to get rid of this genius.
Bielema is terrible and needs to go. The special teams, which he seems to think are his bread and butter are simply horrific. I cannot remember a year with so many big runbacks, fumbles, penalties or other dumb gaffes. How many times do you see a coach getting a 15-yard penalty? I am not a fan who assumes the Badgers should be in first place ever year but Alvarez did establish a base and reputation here, built on hard work and solid fundamentals. Bielema (and his teams) have seem way too entitled to me, probably assuming that contending in the Big Ten every year was a foregone conclusion for this program now. Obviously incorrect. Maybe he needs to do less commercials and radio shows and try focusing on the job a little more. I say he loses one more time and should go and if he gets them to win out, one more year that better be at a 10-2 type pace.
What are the signs of bad coaching??
1. Penalties
How many times have we seen illegal formation penalties at critical times??
2. Clock managment
Today was another wonderful example of how not to do it.
3. Special team managment (Isn't Bret the Special Teams Coach??)
Short kickoffs with big runbacks. MSU kicked it into the endzone almost every time.
4. Coach attitude (What an arrogant a**)
Come on- an unsportsman like conduct call against the coach at a time when the game should not have been turning against the Badgers.
5. Losing when the statistics are so lopsided in your favor.
What a running performance by two bruising runners and stopping MSU running game.
6. Losing momentem
MSU was clearly outplayed until they discovered the poor pass defense.
7. And more and more and more.
It looks as if Barry's inheritance value has been used up and now the real value of Bielema's coaching is open to all. We fans have the right to get value from our support. I have been a fan since 1966 during the worst when the stadium was half empty and protest rally gatherings had better turnouts. Is Wisconsin football an indicator of how our economy is going. I Bad football = bad economy. I wish I had used it as an indicator weeks ago. My retirement would have been much more secure.
I think the real question is what happens to the program in the future. When does Barry realize he made a mistake and pull the plug? Having been around Alvarez personally, I can tell you, the guy is arrogant and won't be quick to admit his error in judgement. I really hope he doesn't let the program deteriorate too far before he dumps Bielema.
At the end of the day, the Badgers covered the spread. That's what is important. After all, we'll need every red cent of our cash once Nobama leads us to socialism.
I'm a student and agree with robby, a friend of mine had a bachelorette party in the dells and bielema showed up drunk around 10, took a bunch of stupid pictures with them and tried to hit on the bride to be. this guy is pathetic and scum and if barry keeps him then so is he.
we are reaching a "tipping point," a point where it will take many years from which to recover.
this point will be reached this year. recruiting, fanbase, attendance, national media attention, respect, and money will dry up.
it will take wisconsin years to recover these, if not decades.
the coach and his staff have to go during this season to avoid the above.
Two points:
1) It's Michigan STATE, not Michigan.
2) The timeout was the dumbest call I've ever seen in 30 years of watching football.
But thanks for giving us a win.
Hope you guys win out the rest of the way. Go Green.
Its not very often that I yell at the tv, but the last few minutes of today's game was one of them. I couldn't believe what I saw from the secondary, I was floored by the penalties (and there should have been more). An unsportsmanlike conduct charged to the coaching staff? Jesus fucking Christ, that alone is a reason to get rid of the head coach. And then to give MS a timeout in order so they can get their kicking unit squared away on the field? WTF was that? There are things I might not understand about football, but even this seemed like a boneheaded move.
Until today, I just thought we had a mediocore Bucky team...but it seems to me that there are problems at the top.
If the stinkin' refs hadn't been on the take, Sparty wouldn't have been catchable; nevertheless, that was one DUMB A$$ call at the end of the game. Between this one and the Michigan game, somebody needs to skeedaddle over to Barnes & Noble and pickup a copy of HEAD COACHING FOR DUMMIES!
The timeout was a dumb call, but understandable. What is NOT understandable is how we can give MSU the ball back with a minute and a half left in the game and have the coach argue with the officials enough to get a "sideline interference" call giving MSU 5-yards. And even that was dumb, but debatable. But he has to continue to argue and get another 15 yard penalty. THAT was beyond stupid. I'm sure it would have taken MSU more than 12 seconds to get those 20 yards - to me that cost them the game more than the timeout.
The unsportsman-like penalty was what sent me over the edge! If the quality of play/coaching gets any worse we'll have to bring back the Portage Plumber for game time entertainment! Remember when the 5th quarter was the highlight of the game? I DO! IT SUCKED!
The UW will realize he has to go when revenue from ticket sales, merchandising and a host of other sources starts to decline due to piss poor performance. After all, they do have a fresh remodel job at Camp Randall to pay for yet.
All of the fans in Badgerland bitching won't change Alverez's mind about Bret but the money will! College football is as much, if not more about the money as it is about pride! Winning teams generate revenue. Do you think we would have the facilities we have if Don Morton was still coaching?
At least basketball is right around the corner.
The Big Ten Pub should have a raffle every Sunday...Winner gets to coach the following game...I guarentee Badger wins!!!
not calling a timeout woulnt of made a difference their kicker is one of the best in the nation he still would of made it
those of you that say bielema cant recruit thats not true. he has good players he's just bad at coaching and paul chryst is bad at play calling
To all you current students of UW, lets get pictures out of this
EGOMANIAC acting a fool. There is no reason for a grown man/HC drinking with the coeds! I'm dissapointed in this news. But not surprised in his game mis-management.
Bret did screw up, but why did defense let us down in the first place? Bielema's not the best but I'm not sure Barry Alvarez could make chicken salad out of the chicken shit team we have.
256 to 25 in rushing yards - I'm not a stats geek but I do not believe Wisconsin has ever lost much less lost by 1 when the rushing was that lopsided. Nice to see that our coaching staff can remain under control (20 yards in penaltys) while the young kids try to figure out how to win.
Hats off of to P.J. and Johnny Clay - but i think someone owes our db a jockstrap on the last pass of the game -
dont fire bret - players lose games and you gotta step up if you play for sconnie
Alvarez was 4-5-1 two years removed from the first Rose Bowl title.
However, this seams worse. They continue to make errors in technique, strategy, and game management that suggest there are SIGNIFICANT problems with this coaching staff - starting with the head man (BB).
50,000 people in attendance for Cal Poly???
Who are you people? Booing in Camp Randall? Keep that shit in Lambeau- along with your cheeseheads! The Garden State Bowl was pretty sweet in 1981! Stop your f-ing whining you spoiled brats!
billycola2000@yahoo.com
Class of '86
Remember that on the last TD drive by MSU, Bielema got himself a 20 yard penalty for sideline infraction and subsequent unsportsmanlike.
Who's he going to throw under the bus for that?
This is such a tragic for Badgers football program because this year was the one we had a chance to take on national championship level with those talented players on team. Now, I think the future for Badgers football program is in jeopardy if this Bret Bielema continues coaching. I'm worrying about lose the high-level recruits for next year and 2 years later if we continue losing those kind of games like today. I'm very proud to be a Badgers fan since I was little kid, even before Barry was a coach. Barry never had many numbers of high-level recruits that Bret does, but Barry still knew how to drive the football program into a successful football program. It is really no excuse for Bret if he wants to be a coach because being a coach is very critical job and it means NEVER MAKE A MISTAKE and DON'T EVER LET THE TEAM DOWN AS MUCH AS DISCIPLINE THEM INTO A TRULY MATURE FOOTBALL PLAYER!
Personally, it would be a good decision for Barry to fire Bret and let that traitor from Iowa keep the contract money because I rather to have someone from in-house that have a knowledge about coaching with good decision-making to be our coach! Because we have load of talents coming to play for Badgers next year and the next year after that! They will do the work to win the game while coach takes care of managing the game with decision-making, it's simple as that!
bielema wtf are you doing?? i was drunk and could have managed a better game than that. ten seconds left and they are confuse what do to but no you call a time out and give their kicker time to collect his thoughts and make the kick. just helps us all out and take your out life
Holy Sh!t - look at the poll now?!?!?!?!? Get rid of these idiots! Fire Bret Bielema was started after the second or third embarrassing performance? We now have FIVE... SIX, if you count the bowl game last January. They continue to REGRESS.... BOYCOTT CAL-POLY !! BOYCOTT CAL-POLY !! DO NOT GO !!!
Wow, a lot of negativity--didn't see the game, but saw the highlights. If I just looked at the box score, I would have wondered how MSU won the game.
Oh well, I think the motto for this year is: "Sh*t Happens."
I do find it odd that people point out Barry's 2001 team that went 5-7, but lets face it, no one expected a whole lot from that team at all. No one was predicting a Big Ten title let alone anything else. This year's team fell flat on it's face in light of the pre-season expectations. But it looks like the Badgers are still weak on defense, which was the reason they
struggled at points in 2007.
Oh well about the Badgers...but there are bigger problems to worry about than a mediocre football team.
I think their kicker's comment said it all.....this is from Big 10 network site
The Spartans scrambled to get lined up for a field goal, but were given a chance to set up because Wisconsin called a timeout with 12 seconds left. The Badgers called their last timeout, hoping to rattle the kicker only to watch Swenson take his helmet off, laugh and make the field goal.
"The first timeout helped me out because it gave me a chance to relax after rushing on the field," Swenson said. "The second timeout, I thought was funny because he was trying to ice me and I knew that wouldn't work."
Speaking of good clock management... how about snapping the ball with 12 seconds left on the play clock prior to punting it away in the fourth quarter?
Also, Michigan State fans coming here to talk smack: Yes, Wisconsin sucks but so does MSU. Nice game against Ohio State. What good wins do you have?
you guys SUCK. this website sucks.
Seriously... time-out?!?! He called time-out before that field goal? What was he thinking?!?! FIRE HIM, FIRE HIM, FIRE HIM!!!
That was my post from yesterday 2 minutes after the game was over. Today I read Oates blog and even he is totally upset with BB. But I read the posts on his blog and the readers are blaming the officials. Blaming the officials? Please... can we grow up and put the blame where it belongs, 100% on BB. The readers of this blog understand. How can he expect to have a disciplined team when he can't discipline himself (either on OR off the field). He's in over his head. We are becoming a huge embarrassment to our conference, team and university. We all know he was Barry's hand-picked boy but Barry needs to bit the bullet and realize he made a mistake. Dismiss him now, send a message that this is unacceptable and move on. I feel so bad for the seniors on this team that are getting robbed of a respectable season by this bozo. Nobody's saying we should be #1, but to display such incredible incompetency is unacceptable. Again, FIRE HIM, FIRE HIM, FIRE HIM!
BRET PLAYS THE GAME "NOT TO LOSE" That is not how you win football games. Play calling is so conservative and predictable. Half the time we know the plays he is going to run from our living rooms. You think the other coaches have a clue if we do? This is the biggest underachievement in school history. He BRET thanks for the 20 yards in penalties due to unsportsmanlike sideline interference. You gave them momentum right back after Clay tried to seal the game for you.
people who give bielema any credit for his first couple years as head coach are forgetting that he was using a cast of players who had been recruited not by him, but by barry alvarez. now those players are gone, bret consistently shows that he is unable to prepare his teams to play right out of the starting gate on saturdays, the team as a whole lacks discipline (extending even to the coaching staff, with its constant complaining and accompanying penalties), and clock management (let alone playcalling on big downs) continues to be questionable.
fire bret bielema? it might be early to go that far, but it's clear that something needs to change.
The fact that Bielema himself seems to lack any sort of discipline on the sidelines during games should be a clear indicator of the kind of lack of leadership and discipline that he coaches his team with.
It seemed as though Bret was listening to a broadcast of the Minnesota-Northwestern game and decided that he would try to make a more "spectacular" ending the game his team was playing in.
i have pics of bielema acting a fool with some college chicks, anybody know a good place to post them anonymously?
Part of being a good coach is knowing when to call a timeout, when NOT to call a timeout, recruiting as someone mentioned, and the forgotten art of motivating your players when they’ve lost momentum. Not only does ‘wind jacket’ not do this, but he seems to bring out the worst in his players. The Badgers are all over the place. Clay gives the Badgers the best chance to move the ball, and especially on 3rd freaking down. If the Badgers are supposed to have these powerful O linemen, then why do they NEVER QB sneak it? Hey Chryst and ‘wind jacket’, let’s do the option again???
Simply put, the currently players are more ‘wind jacket’s’ players then Alvarez’s players and we’re seeing that they don’t play UW football. Wait a second, I just turned on my TV and saw David Gilreath running the end-around again. 4 and 5 going into IU, who just lost to Central Michigan. Wonder how ‘wind jacket’ will mess this one up . . . and believe me, he will.
I will say this with all the hope left in me, if Alvarez doesn’t fire Chryst or ‘Wind Jacket’ after this pathetic / underachieving season, I’m stopping my donations to the school.
Ironically, I just got a call from the UW Telefund. And, while I realize how hard those kids work to raise a few bucks, I had to say, "Sorry, no more donations til BB is fired. Please forward that comment to Big Barry along with the other fed-up Alums."
We have to make a stand and lack of revenue is the only thing that MAY get Big Barry's attention.
Has anyone else noticed that UW-Madison's rankings on the US News and World Report coincide with how well our football and basketball teams are doing??? We'll be a Tier 2 school by year's end. Thanks BB. Not only are you devaluing our athletic program but my degree too!!!
If you have such pictures and they are not "doctored," and if you want Bret gone, drop them in a manila envelope and send them to the Chancellor's Office, cc to the Athletic Department.
This will save embarassment for UW.
The newspapers will use them, but that might harm our image further.
I have always been proud of the way UW maintains high ethical standards. It will do the right thing.
It's truly amazing that that a team that has been probably the most fundamentally sound and disciplined year in and year out in the Big 11 go from that to a bad high school team. that's COACHING! period. Wisconsin had really built themselves into a solid (elite?) program that was a factor in the conference even in down years. Barry come back or find your clone now!!!
Its been awhile since I've seen a team play with so little mental toughness as these Badgers when the game hits the fourth quarter. I don't know if it is the coaching or just a lack of heart from the players, but this team is weak.
I sure hope that the Badger basketball team does not faulter this year. All you same idiots that probably right now love Coach Ryan, as you probably loved Coach Bielema before the season, will start a fire Bo Ryan website.
if bielema didnt call a timeout the same result would of happend. michigan states kicker is the second best kicker in the nation he still would of made it
Coach Ryan to the best of my memory has never put his team in jeopardy with a foolish foul at a crucial time in a a game. His players ARE disciplined and he always shows class in victry or defeat.. so that comparison is meaningless.
There's a world of difference between Bo Ryan and Brett Bielema. One cannot compare the two.
Bret is not the right guy....we all know it now. It has to do as much with his personal behavior off the field as much as his awful coaching.....but I'm surprised that everyone thinks Barry is so great. His Big Ten record over 13 years was only 65-60. The overall record looked better because of all the cupcake games. Remember all the disappointing losses when the Badgers seemed poised for greatness only to slip back into "better-than-average. Yet the Athletic Department still continues to schedule these kind of games that no Wisky fan even wants to watch. Barry hired Bret and showed us his serious mis-judgement. As several readers have noted he is also a total ego-maniac. Wisconsin fans were way to eager to embrace him. The program will never recover in his shadow. Take out that silly statue! Who ever thought that was a good idea. Wisconsin footbal is such an embarrasment now and the buck stops at Barry. How could you ever forgive him for hiring Bret and the fact that he has been totally silent since the BADgers began their downward slide 6 weeks ago? This is a total slam to Wisconsin fans! Both he and Bret have got to go!! You won't see our family at the CalPoly game....leave Camp Randall empty and send a message.
those of you that want bielema fired, what about paul chryst? he is just as bad he should be out the door
I was never that thrilled with BA's coaching or style of play, but the statue stays -- BA brought UW out of the sewer and into respect. We owe him big time.
On the other hand, I thought BA's appointment to AD was ill-conceived. A bonus for which BA was not qualified.
When BA negotiated to hold the AD and Football Coach position at the same time for one year, I knew he had a gross ego problem.
When BA picked BB to be head coach, I knew, 12-1 not-with-standing, that trouble loomed.
Bottom line: BA is not qualified to be AD and BB is Certainly not qualified to coach.
How 'bout getting the coach from Oregon State or Boise State or Texas Tech or South Florida or Vandy or Fresno State, and on and on.
Several really fine coaches would take the job in a heartbeat. Plus, the games are FUN TO WATCH.
there was 33 seconds on the clock the second that third down play ended. wisconsin should of called a time out that second and they would of had 2 left.
I agree that Bielema handled the end of both the first half and the end of the game poorly. I think he's a lights out D coordinater and a great recruiter but is in way over his skeez as head coach. He'll never out coach anyone and is a horrible clock manager. His talents as a recruiter are being wasted since as a head football coach you don't have the time to hit the recruiting the way the assistants do. Too bad he'd never take a demotion to stay on as D coordinater. Lance in Cross Plains
The run blocking assignments have got to change or every h-back that we get will end up breaking their legs. The zone-cut to the outside lanes that the rb's use run up behind the h-back downfield while they have no idea that they are about to get run into. Beckum and Kendricks should be pissed that they went out like that. The only reason Graham hasn't had the same fate is that they use him in motion behind the line to block and seal at the LOS.
The run blocking assignments have got to change or every h-back that we get will end up breaking their legs. The zone-cut to the outside lanes that the rb's use run up behind the h-back downfield while they have no idea that they are about to get run into. Beckum and Kendricks should be pissed that they went out like that. The only reason Graham hasn't had the same fate is that they use him in motion behind the line to block and seal at the LOS.
Interesting take from a former UW student whose web site says he works for the big then network now. http;//www.windywhispers.com. He doesn't say that Bielema should be fired but seems to make a good argument for those of us who think he should be.
Barry should come back to coach so we can start winning next year.
Barry lost to Michigan State 49-14. he did nothing after his last rose bowl
Enough of the barry alvarez crap, the only thing he did in his last 5seasons is beat Michigan and Auburn. thats why he retired he knew the fire went out for him
Alot of you are forgetting the 3rd and 11 play toward the end. it was on msu's 35 yeard line wisconsin was gonna run it all they needed was a few yards to get in field goal range and they could of went up by 5 but we went off sides and it costed us 5 yards. it's not all bielemas fault
the way i look at it is we got a good chance of winning out which would put us at 7-5 and with a bowl win we would be 8-5 thats not bad. especially if we play a big 12 or acc team.
We all know that Wisconsin is going to stick with Bielema. To the bitter end.
Speaking of statues, don't you think there are other icons in Wisconsin football lore that deserve statues more than Barry?
We may go 7-5 or 5-7 or 6-6. Who knows? Hopefully one of those wins include beating Minnesota.
Bret the Town Drunk must go! Boycott Cal-Poly! Whomever has those pics of the Drunk, send them to the powers that be, but not St. Alvarez. He's too damned arrogant to EVER admit he's wrong!
I hear the team and fans talking about reaching 7-5. Sorry guys, 7-5 doesn't count as winning record this year with Cal Poly Munchkins on the schedule. Or how about 7-5*, does count as a winning record with an asterisk.
*Winning record includes canceling Va Tech to avoid really bad record. Coach and AD have no shame.
I hadn't thought about the fact that Bielema's poor performance may be due to malice (prev mentioned guaranteed contract) rather than incompetence. That explains his blind eye to poor punting and lack of preparation for FG defense at the end of the 4th in the Mich St Game. It would be convenient if he could point a finger at the special teams coach, but that would be another point in which he's unwilling to take responsibility.
Bielma is the worst coach in history and should quit after that pathetic coaching job, which is quickly becoming satus quo for him. Our team had 112 yards in penalties and he chips in with 20 of his own. What kind of example is that? How does he use a challenge on an idiotic play to begin with by punting on 4th and 2 when clearly we were only going to get 14 yards out of punt and then wastes a time out and a challenge too? He is terrible. We have nearly 300 yards of rushing, dominate an entire football game and still manage to lose?!?! That's the coach, period.
Fulmer Fulmer Fulmer
Zook can win at Illinois in the Big Ten! Fulmer would dominate. Class guy. Respected.
Please Barry, give him a call. Maybe get 10 years out of him. A generally competitive loser in SEC beats Bielema any day.
Based on the lack of emotion, and generally cocky attitude, from Beilema, is it possible that he wants out of Wisconsin, or is it possible that since he got his big contract, he could care less. I think the thing that bothers me most about Bielema, and which is different from all the great coaches that I have seen (Alvarez, Hayes, Schembechler, etc..just to name a few), is that he nevers takes losing "personal". Great coaches get pissed after a loss, this guy, seems to "throw it to the wind". His overconfident, cocky deamenor, masks his underlying inexperience and lac of the "go for the juggler" instinct. Get rid of him.
Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee just became available at season's end. Granted he's know Urban Meyer or Pete Carol but he is definitely an upgrade.
It seems this year's season ticket holders are paying Ruth's Chris Steak House prices for Dollar Menu cheeseburgers. Thank goodness basketball is soon starting!!!!!
i hate to say it but BB has proven to be a very bad call by Alvarez and I feat that Barry is gonna destroy his legacy by sticking with this clown.
Sure, its tough to fire a coach after 2 pretty successful seasons based upon a real bad one after signing him to an expensive deal but the writing is on the wall.
He has proven that he cannot make appropriate game time decisions or manage the clock. His team is not well prepared going into games and he cannot recruit. The only thing that will come from keepinghim around is damage to the program. He's got to go.
I'm depressed living down here in SEC country. I see the rise of the spread offense, athletic and fast RBs. We're on the decline, not just Wisconsin, but the Big 10 in general. Bielema has done nothing but make die-hard Badger fans distraught. I used to be able to tolerate his look of confusion on the sidelines. Now, it makes me sick. No idiot would call a time out when a place kicker is hustling to line up for a kick with such little time on the clock. No disciplined coach would be a smart-ass and give a line judge crap. Come on! That was a 15 yard penalty, all his doing. The man seems confused. He looks like cannot handle the goings-on of a football game. It sickens me to say it, but I see his lack of self-discipline, which obviously rubs off on his players, as the downfall of Wisco football. Let me remind you Minnesota is on the rise. MSU and Northwestern are impressive. We have done nothing -- stalling is just as going backwards in this conference. I say we get rid of BB and move towards the future of the game. BA and BB will be nothing but a hindrance on our ability to recruit, play, and compete.
I want to set rabid badgers loose on his naked nose. He's one of the youngest coaches in his division. I am still shaking with anger... and despair. This is just a game for student athletes. Thoughts vulgar enough to ignite the drapes spout from my mind. I'm sure he's getting better ever week, at something. He's an Iowa Agent. His job is too demanding of multitasking, let's fund a Special Special Teams Coach Fund. And, I don't mean to cast a pebble at the bronze statue, but BB's predecessor didn't manage the clock or timeouts much better.
This is a talented Badger team that has been ranked as high as #8.
When you blow a 19 point lead to Michigan, let Ohio State outmanage you with the clock at the end of the game, and then blow another lead at Michigan State, you have to look at coaching (or at best whoever is managing the clock).
"Coaching", not "playing" lost these 3 games and set the tone for the losses at Iowa and Penn State that followed. The players are putting out, but attitude (winning or losing) comes from coaching (leading).
I know. I am a former Badger player and former high school football coach.
1. Lots of posters blaming Bret for bad play calls - how about pointing the finger at Paul Chryst?
2. Bret has shown the ability to bring in some talent, but until the program finds a legit QB, they will struggle. Sure we can run the ball with anyone, but the passing game is a joke and has been for years (still can't believe the previous thread about John Stocco - give me a break!)
3. They won't fire Bret for one bad season - yes, it has been disappointing to say the least, but lets come off the ledge. You want to boycott the team and not renew your season tickets? Fine, there are plenty of people on the wait list who would love to buy them.
4. For a program that suffered through the dark ages of the 80s, one bad season and calling for the head of the coach is a joke. Barry had a few bad years as well and no one called for his head.
Time to come off the ledge a bit Badger nation.
Bielema does know that blitzing the QB is legal right?
Also, great coaching with the sideline infraction and the subsequent unsportsmanlike call which set up an MSU score.
The final timeout is one of the dumbest thing I've seen in football. How much bigger percentage chance do you think there would have been of that kid missing the game-winning kick knowing the clock is running out?!
Bielema claims his specialty is defense and our defense is weak. He is clueless on offense and has no authority. He can't manage a game, he doesn't get the good recruits, get him out of here. Lets bring in Phil Fulmer!
I think Bret Bielema is the best coach in college football, no doubt in my mind
what else do we expect from an iowa alum......
Wisconsin is not a football school, flat out
you guys are just a bunch of gutless wonders, sitting here on a web site( most of you under anonymous)mouthing off about a coach that has brought you two successful seasons. Wisconsin is not a football school like say Ohio State, USC, Georgia, Kansas, or Alabama. The sooner you understand that the better.
Roberto Frampton,
Madison, Wisconsin
Leave it alone; this season is over. Bret's coming back next year no matter how much anybody howls. It's NEXT season that will be the one when losing ugly will lose Bielema his job.
All programs do have down years. I know, at times this season seems to be more than down. At times it seems like slapstick.
But howling like apes and banging your cups on the bars will do nothing but make you look like ignorant saps.
Minnesota will be our bowl game this year. Fire up for it and cheer on the team AND the coaches for what still will be a meaningful game.
Then burn your Cal Poly tickets in protest and have a happy holiday season.
Hey Roberto, I ask you - why can't Wisconsin be a football school? Nobody thought we could be a basketball school and I think we have proven we can be year in and year out. The fact that you even think that pisses me off (not to mention, the fact you included Kansas in your note shows me you know nothing about the game and are a complete dipshit).
That whole ice the kicker thing is a load of crap and all it does is help them relax
Bret and Barry could care less if no one showed up to Cal-Poly....they already got all the suckers money. They don't like slumming with all you less than millionaires anyways. Scheduling Wofford next year shows they just laugh in all the suckers faces. W
i was never for the whole firing thing cause eveyone has 2 have there bad year and i thought that thats what it was until michigan st when he called that time out! i wanted to drive to michigan and choke slam him theres no way in hell that kicker had enogh time to get set and aim he wld have shanked it so bad!!! but thanks brett 4 finally making me relize u r a moron!!! WE WANT BARRY BACK!!!!!!!!!
Bret blew it the other day with the poor time management and the penalty. However, let's talk offensive and defensive strategy. Running Gilreath to the left for a large gain, and then running hime to the right on the very next play? Come on, mix things up. I know that Wisconsin football is about smash mouth football and running, but let's pass earlier in the downs every now and then. And finally, if we gave up one more long pass to their tight end up the middle, I was going to scream (actually, I was screaming). Once again, we blow a lead because we lose our agressivness.
People are complete idiots. I agree with Roberto. Wisconsin has a few successful seasons but they never keep it going. Thats the key to show you that your not a football school. In fact, Wisconsin isnt really good at anything. Maybe fencing or rowing or something along those lines, maybe they are good at that but i dont know. Why dont you guys grow up and root for your team or pick a new one you bunch of fair weather fans!!!!
Yes, that's nice. Everyone is not too thrilled with Bielema's performance not only as a coach but as a role model for the community.
Most of the comments here are not directed at the Badger's continued performance on the field. It is easy to blame the players for making mistakes and fans for not being loyal, but the head coach is the final responsibility for the team.
In this case, Bielema is the head coach and should be answerable for his miscues. But, we are supposed to meekly kowtow and say nothing because that's what "loyal" fans do when there are actual grounds for a complaint.
Every coach and program is due for a down season, it's expected, but the way the Badgers have performed do raise questions about the preparation and planning on the part of the coaches.
Personally, I don't worry too much about 5 star recruits because in reality, the programs need to pick players that fit their systems. As for everyone talking about how Wisconsin's offense is antiquated, last time I checked, the NFL, the highest level of football still employs strong running games and physical linemen. If it works in the NFL, it should still be able to work at the college level.
Those who would say that spiking the ball and wasting a down to take timeouts into halftime is a good move would be idiots.
Those people who say that running the play clock down under 5 seconds before snapping the ball is too hard for a young quarterback are full of Sh*@.
Those who would claim to have called a timeout at the end of a game to ice the kicker but only after running a solid 13 potentially valuable seconds off the clock first would be liars. And they must think that we don't have TIVO because anyone who watches the play can see that his personnel weren't prepared...hence the timeout. Unprepared, undisciplined, soft teams are the result of one thing...BAD COACHING.
fire brett bielama he only won with barry's talent and he is really bad at calling a game and managing the game. bring in Phil Fulmer
Ever since Bielema was announced as Barry's replacement, I said, "Bret's got Barry's recruits, Barry's playbook and Barry's assistant coaches. Even a halfway decent high school coach could win 12 games and earn coach of the year awards with that set up. Just wait 3-4 years and we'll see what kind of a coach Bielema REALLY is." Bret is showing his true talent this season! Barry, come back!!! (And we'd better not lose to Indiana!)
Ever since Bielema was announced as Barry's replacement, I said, "Bret's got Barry's recruits, Barry's playbook and Barry's assistant coaches. Even a halfway decent high school coach could win 12 games and earn coach of the year awards with that set up. Just wait 3-4 years and we'll see what kind of a coach Bielema REALLY is." Bret is showing his true talent this season! Barry, come back!!! (And we'd better not lose to Indiana!)
just thought I'd drop in to say the meathead sucks.
After reading many of the comments here I have to agree with most and add my name to this of Coach Bielema detractors. Coach B benefited from a strong team and strong staff to start. But coaching a Big Ten team isn't something that an assistant coach should be asked to do. It may take years to grow into the job. The pressure of winning, public relations and recruiting is just too much for an untried assistant to take on. An experienced head coach, even from the I-AA ranks can more easily make the transition.
How many excruciating losses do we have to see to verify our opinions? As a fan, I don't like much of what I see happening on the field and on the sidelines. The head coach frequently has the "deer in headlights" look. Not in control of his team, not in touch with his game plan. And the professional analysts comment 4 and 5 times per game on the poor decision making.
I appreciate the effort. But head coaches at this level are measured based on performance. Coach Bielema has shown he can't get the job done.
Wis should not go to a bowl game for they can't beat anyone but second rate and weak big ten teams. If you can't win more than half of your conferance games you should't go to a bowl game. Wis is the only big ten team that plays 12 games and that is only so they can go. They are the only team that is going to a bowl game because of their fans and not for the team. Any place will take them for so many fans go down and that makes it profitable for them.
oh my god. What a terrible coach. I will no longer give my money to Wisconsin until they get rid of that pathetic Bilema and his sorry high school coaching staff. Brett Bilema have successfully destroyed the badgers football program. We didn't get beat by FSU, we got embarass and totally outcoached Bilema should go to division 3 football.
Oh my god. Brett Bilema is the worst coach I have seen at Wisconsin. Pathetic Brett Bilema and his pathetic high school coaching staff have successfully destroyed this football team. I will not give another donation to Wisconsin until Brett Bilema and his staff is gone. He is a division 3 coach at best. This pathetic coach have destroyed my team. We got embarass by FSU.
It's obvious to even the casual observer that these posts come from a small minority of malcontents who yearn for the return of the Don Morton glory years...Your shallowness is an affront to all true Badger fans who bleed red. On Wisconsin!!!
coach bullhead almost did it again today with his stupid calls in the last minutes of a game.he did it at the out back bowl against tenn.and tday almost let the game get away again.fire him now barry or you risk losing a lot of donated money.we are fed up with his bonehead coaching.he stinks.
You guys are all complete idiots. In his rookie season I believe he went 12-1 and won the Capitol Bowl. Really? A bad coach? His overall record is 38-14, pretty damn good. How about you be grateful for what you have. You obviously have no idea about coaching or who is good or who is bad. You all complain about a time out call, too bad if things would of went the other way it would have been an immaculate decision on his part! But you go with what the media says and have no clue what Bret has accomplished with what he's had.
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