Clover: I've been following Wisconsin football closely since 1946 when Harry Stuhdreher, one of the "Four Horseman" was there , they fired him in 1948 (his 10 year record was a dismal 26-54). Ivey Williamson brought back some respectability (I was there as a freshman in the Fall of 152) with a 29-13-4 record including a Rose Bowl trip on January 1 1952 (I went to the game, the price of admission was $6.00 for students). Ever since, the Badgers had peaks and valleys in the Big-10 but they were never able to reach the premier status of Ohio State and Michigan.
Along came Barry Alverez in 1990, a great "minority" hire (at this time the University of Wisconsin was being called the "Berkley" of the Midwest, a way left-liberal school
that was struggling to keep its athletic programs intact). Alverez's record was a modest 65-60 but he had several key wins against Ohio State and Michigan and a couple of trips to the Rose Bowl during his reign which kept him on the job until he became AD.....Along came Bielema and you know the rest.....
The Chryst hire fits the U-W culture perfectly, a "blue collar" hire that is able to keep enough games in the win column (his current record is very decent 34-7 record to satisfy their "brandy soaked" fans especially during those cold weather games in November........ No Jack Daniels at Badger games......LOL