Barry Alvarez

Barry Alvarez guided the University of Wisconsin to an unprecedented three Rose Bowl victories during his legendary run as the Badgers Head Coach.  Upon arriving at the University of Wisconsin in 1990, he turned around the Badger football program and left a lasting impression on the athletic culture in Madison. 

Alvarez took over a football program that was in shambles with game attendance at an all time low and a 9-36 record in the four seasons prior to his hiring. Barry spent the next 16 years not only turning the football program into a winner but transformed the University of Wisconsin’s athletic program into one of the most respected and prestigious in the nation. After it was all said and done, Barry led the Badgers football program to three Big Ten Championships and Rose Bowls victories on his way to becoming the winningest coach in school history. 

 Barry retired as head football coach at UW after the 2005 season, after a leading the Badgers to their 8th bowl game victory under his command.  Alvarez accumulated 118 coaching victories and six 9-win seasons, which prior to his arrival UW had only recorded four in nearly 100 seasons.

Today, Barry is in his fifth year as the Director of Athletics for the University of Wisconsin, seeing the program produce 10 team national and 20 Big Ten regular-season titles since he took over.  Alvarez has also worked as a color commentator for Fox Sports during for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and BCS National Championship Games. 

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