An interesting twist on Texas’ search for new offensive coaches is the possibility of rebuilding that side of the staff around a Wisconsin daily double, with offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and offensive line coach Bob Bostad heading to Austin in a tandem deal.
Chryst has shrugged off any Texas-related speculation during news conferences this week at the Rose Bowl, saying he has not interviewed for the Texas position and that he was not aware he is considered a prime candidate for the OC vacancy. But it is makes sense that Texas coach Mack Brown would have an interest in Chryst and indications from individuals close to the program suggest that he does.
Once the Badgers play TCU in Saturday’s Rose Bowl, it will be interesting to see if Chryst, 45, shows more public interest in the Texas vacancy. Wisconsin averaged a school-record 43.3 points per game this season and Brown likes the physical way the Badgers run the ball.
But with Wisconsin already losing defensive coordinator Dave Doeren to Northern Illiniois, where he will become the Huskies’ head football coach after the Rose Bowl, it seems unlikely that Badgers’ coach Brent Bielema would be willing to lose another coordinator in the same off-season if he could prevent it from happening.
Of course, if the Longhorns stack the money high enough for Chryst, it is likely Bielema won’t have much choice.
Chryst is considered a strong candidate to be a head coach at the college level in the near future. Spending time in Austin could help him make a move in that direction. It’s certainly worked for recent Texas defensive coordinators Will Muschamp, Gene Chizik and Greg Robinson, all of whom bounced into head coaching positions after spending three seasons or less on Brown’s staff.
Something else to consider: Chryst could be someone to mentor running backs coach Major Applewhite for a couple of seasons before Brown turns over the Texas offense to Applewhite, if he is unwilling to have Major as his OC today.
_ Jimmy Burch
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