Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer 11y

Wisconsin won't pursue Chryst as coach

Pitt head coach Paul Chryst grew up in Madison, played at Wisconsin and coached there as an assistant. But he won't be the next Badgers head coach.

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said Thursday that he doesn't plan to pursue Chryst for the team's head-coaching vacancy. Chryst released a statement Tuesday night, following the departure of Bret Bielema from Wisconsin to Arkansas, affirming his commitment to Pitt. He previously served as Wisconsin's offensive coordinator under Bielema.

Alvarez noted that it wouldn't be right for Chryst to leave Pitt after just one season. Alvarez added that he had asked "some close friends" to assist Chryst in getting the Pitt job, and that it wouldn't be appropriate to attempt to hire him back.

"Paul is going to stay at Pitt," Alvarez said.

Wisconsin's search will start with acting head-coaches, Alvarez said, but won't exclude qualified assistants. Although Alvarez wants a candidate who knows Wisconsin, he said direct ties to the school aren't a top priority.

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