Paul Chryst previews changes to Wisconsin's offensive play calling for 2021
Wisconsin had an up and down year in 2020 as the Badgers battled through the pandemic-impacted football season.
After two early games were canceled and some other results disappointed, the Badgers ended the year with wins against rival Minnesota and a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory against Wake Forest. All things considered, it was a decent ending to a year that was derailed almost as soon as it began.
Entering the offseason, the Badgers will be getting back a number of key players for 2021 with the team hoping to rebound in the B1G West next season. Head coach Paul Chryst also discussed some changes to the way the offensive staff will work next season.
According to Jeff Potrykus with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Chryst indicated he will take over play-calling duties while also working with the quarterbacks next season. That came after productive talks with OC and OL coach Joe Rudolph:
#Badgers coach Paul Chryst said he had productive talks with OL/OC Joe Rudolph. With a full/somewhat normal off-season planned, Chryst plans to coach QBs and go back to calling plays.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) February 12, 2021
#Badgers coach Paul Chryst said Rudolph thought play-calling took away from his work with the OL, which is a key job. Chryst felt his return to play-calling would help maximize resources of staff.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) February 12, 2021
#Badgers coach Paul Chryst +Rudolph believe Rudolph can spend more time w/OL + PC can do what he does well with QBs/calling plays. PC: "It’s not about me or that I like calling plays. I think it is a way for us to have the best overall staff."
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) February 12, 2021
Hopefully the move does allow Wisconsin’s offense to rebound. The Badgers averaged just 25.1 points per game in 2020, a mark that ranked 88th nationally.
Chryst also discussed adding a CB coach to the Wisconsin staff and the outlook for spring workouts of the Badgers. Here’s what he had to say:
Good chat with #Badgers coach Paul Chryst about new assistant. PC said he has been thinking about having a CB coach for some time because of the different responsibilities between CB and S. Leonhard was on board.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) February 12, 2021
#Badgers coach Paul Chryst said the goal is to have a full off-season with winter workouts and spring ball. Spring ball will start later and run into first week of May.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) February 12, 2021
