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{{ timeAgo(‘2022-10-02 19:29:42 -0500’) }}
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Clint Cosgrove
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Rivals.com

National Recruiting Analyst

Wisconsin dismissed head football coach Paul Chryst on Sunday, just one day after the Badgers lost at home to Illinois. The loss moved UW’s record this season to 2-3, though Chryst still finished with an impressive 67-26 mark in Madison.

“I’m not sure about everything yet. I still need to talk with the coaches and stuff.”

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“It’s still #OnWisconsin for me and my family. I’m still 100 percent all in.”

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“I mean, to be completely honest, I’m really just in shock.”

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“This doesn’t effect us in any way. We gotta have faith in our team.”

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Paul Chryst won double-digit games in four of his six full seasons as Wisconsin’s coach.

He took the Badgers to the Rose Bowl in 2019 in a season where they won 10 games. There was a 13-win season only a handful of seasons ago.

Chryst was 67-26 overall and 43-18 in the Big Ten. And now he’s fired.

I’m the last person to come to the defense of coaches especially those who aren’t winning at a high level. It’s basically why they’re paid millions of dollars. Everyone involved understands the stakes when taking these high-profile jobs.

But is this where we’re at now?

Chryst is a Madison guy through and through, had history at the school before becoming a head coach, has actually done much better at Wisconsin than his previous head coaching job at Pitt and never had a losing season.

Maybe some of this was Chryst’s choice. Maybe he was tired of it all in the middle of a frustrating season where seemingly nothing was going right. Maybe the recruiting efforts required to keep pace in the Big Ten, especially with the rise of NIL, left Chryst with a little who-needs-it attitude.

And believe me, I get why Wisconsin fans would be frustrated this year. Washington State looked faster and tougher and for the Cougars to come into Camp Randall and win is sort of inexcusable.

Wisconsin didn’t really look all that competitive in a blowout loss to Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the standard in the Big Ten, if not nationally, and the Badgers were not in the same league.

The final straw was Illinois outplaying Wisconsin which is beyond belief. The Illini looked more prepared, more athletic, dare I say tougher that the Badgers on Saturday afternoon. On the other sideline was former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema and that victory had to feel pretty sweet as he rebuilds the Illinois program.

Maybe moving on from Chryst is best. A refresh might be needed. But I hope this wasn’t a reflex action because the season has come unglued a little bit. Because if we’re basing coaching success and employment on every season having to be Rose Bowl or bust then there are going to be a lot of unhappy people.

Did Chryst need to fix some problems? Absolutely. The offense didn’t have a pulse for way too long of stretches. But if this decision was not his then this feels like a gross overreaction to me after some bad performances. Unless this is the Badgers passing the torch to defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, the whole thing feels like a mistake.

Chryst can coach. He’s proven it at Wisconsin and his record backs it up.

first Quarter NE GB 3 0 second Quarter NE GB 3 7 10 7 third Quarter NE GB 10 14 17 14 17 17 fourth Quarter NE GB 24 17 24 24 Overtime NE GB 24 27

Wisconsin is moving on from head coach Paul Chryst, according to a release from the university on Sunday evening.

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, according to that release, will take over as the head coach on an interim basis.

“After a heartfelt and authentic conversation with Coach Chryst about what is in the long-term best interest of our football program, I have concluded that now is the time for a change in leadership,” athletic director Chris McIntosh said in the release. “Paul is a man of integrity who loves his players. I have great respect and admiration for Paul and the legacy of him and his family at the University of Wisconsin.

“I also have confidence in Jim Leonhard to guide the program for the remainder of the season. There is still a lot of season left to play and I know Jim will do a great job while the program is under his leadership.”

Chryst finished 67-26 during his time at Wisconsin, including a 43-18 record in the Big Ten Conference. He was also 6-1 in bowl games.

Leonhard, a three-time All-American as a safety for Wisconsin, will take over a 2-3 team coming off embarrassing losses to Ohio State (52-21) and Illinois (34-10) on back-to-back weekends. The Illini were led by former UW head coach Bret Bielema, who broke the school’s 20-year losing record to the Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.

“I appreciate Chris McIntosh placing his trust in me to lead our team,” Leonhard said in the same release. “My focus right now is on our players and moving forward with preparing them for our game on Saturday at Northwestern.

“I owe a lot to Coach Chryst. Everyone in our program does. He gave me my first coaching job, and for that I am forever grateful. As a Badger, I thank him for his impact on our football program and our players over many years.”

Leonhard has served as Wisconsin defensive coordinator since 2017. Last fall, the Badgers allowed just 239.1 yards per game, the third-best mark in school history and the lowest total at UW since 1954.

BadgerBlitz.com will have more on this developing story later this evening.

Birmingham City caused an upset in the Women’s League Cup by beating top-tier Brighton in the first round.

Libby Smith scored the opener before Jade Pennock then made it two shortly after the break.

Brighton pulled a goal back through Lee Geum-Min but Lucy Quinn extended Birmingham’s lead once again.

Danielle Carter added an 89th-minute penalty but it proved to be only a consultation as the Championship side picked up the three points.

Brynjarsdottir spares West Ham’s blushes

Meanwhile, West Ham picked up two points after beating London City Lionesses in a penalty shootout

West Ham had looked on course for defeat but a last-minute equaliser from Dagny Brynjarsdottir spared their blushes and salvaged a draw.

And after the 2-2 draw, the Hammers secured an additional point with a 10-9 penalty shootout win.

Wins for Spurs and Liverpool

In an all-WSL affair, Tottenham beat Reading 2-1 thanks to goals from Ashleigh Neville and Nikola Karczewska.

Elsewhere, Leicester beat Blackburn 3-0 and Liverpool secured a 1-0 win against Sunderland.

Durham and Sheffield United shared the spoils after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Durham picking up the additional point, winning the penalty shootout.

In Sunday’s other games, Lewes beat Charlton, Bristol City secured a 4-0 win at home to Crystal Palace and Coventry United defeated Southampton.

Following Colorado’s 43-20 loss at Arizona on Saturday night, another debacle in a season filled with them, the decision-makers in Boulder had enough.

Karl Dorrell was fired by midday Sunday. Any hope that Dorrell, who was an assistant coach for the Buffaloes in the 1990s and then coached UCLA to five-straight bowl games, could turn Colorado into a contender again was gone with him.

It never really clicked with Dorrell back in Boulder. Mel Tucker was there only one season and finished with a losing record but it felt different that year, that the Buffaloes were onto something, that they were going somewhere.

Under Dorrell, it felt like they were going somewhere, too, but it was down.

Colorado finished 4-2 during the COVID year and then 4-8 last season, Dorrell’s only full season in town. The Buffs were 0-5 this season but all five losses were by double-digits, blowouts and nothing looked to be getting better.

It got so bad that Colorado athletics director Rick George released an open letter on social media stating he heard the fans and shared in their frustrations. It might as well have also said that one more embarrassing loss would be it for Dorrell. That came Saturday when Arizona torched the Buffaloes.

After the game, Dorrell called it a “frustrating day.” He said “there’s always hope” but this situation looked hopeless. As many failing coaches do, Dorrell said the team practices well but it doesn’t show up in games. But that’s the whole point and Dorrell has to know he wasn’t cutting the mustard. Not even close.

The Denver Post called also for not only Dorrell’s firing but that of George and chancellor Phil DiStefano. There was a restlessness and frustration in town and columnist Sean Keeler calling for everyone’s heads in Boulder was only one example.

To be fair, Dorrell didn’t have a tremendous amount of time to fix Colorado’s problems but things seemed to be intractable, like Dorrell was pushing against an immovable wall. Or maybe he was the wall holding the program back.

Either way, Colorado gets to start fresh.

It won’t be easy because the glory years are far, far gone. The Buffaloes have had one winning season since 2005. The team hasn’t really been all that much of a threat since those Gary Barnett days. A big win here or there but not enough to write home about. That 10-win season under former coach Mike MacIntyre should have gotten the stadium named after him because it’s been ugly before and after that campaign.

Tucker got things jumpstarted but then jetted off to Michigan State. The names mentioned for the Colorado job before Dorrell was hired make me think maybe – just maybe – Tucker’s momentum could have been carried over. Eric Bienemy. Steve Sarkisian. Bret Bielema. Troy Calhoun.

At the time, Dorrell’s hiring wasn’t sexy but it made some sense. He previously coached in Boulder. He had decent success at UCLA. He had NFL coaching experience.

But the Buffs flopped. He’s gone. And the hope Dorrell talked about Saturday night in the desert will now be left for someone else to pick up the pieces in Boulder.

Defending champions Celtic are into the quarter-finals of the SWPL Sky Sports Cup after a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle.

Fran Alonso’s side started well and took an early lead after a quick free-kick from Amy Gallacher led to Lucy Ashworth-Clifford opening the scoring at Petershill Park.

It was 2-0 to the holders after 26 minutes as a well-worked team move – with Gallacher again involved – resulted in Jacynta finding the back of the net.

A spirited second-half display by Thistle gave boss Brian Graham some confidence, however, it wasn’t enough to stop Celtic from progressing into Tuesday’s quarter-final draw.

“The result is fantastic because we are in the quarter-finals,” said Alonso.

“I thought for 30 minutes we were outstanding, I loved how the team played and the tempo was great.

“I think we were poor for 60 minutes, at least to the standards we want. We didn’t stick to the game plan, but overall I have to be happy because the most important thing is to get through.

“It is our dream to at least be in the final and we are one step closer so I’m very happy about that.”

Despite the defeat, Partick Thistle boss Graham said: “I thought second-half we were well in the game.

“For a side that has been flying this season, I think we had them rattled for large parts of the second half.

“Collectively my girls gave everything, especially in the second half, and I’m just disappointed for them that they couldn’t get that goal.”

Glasgow City 5-0 Aberdeen

Joining Celtic in the last eight are Glasgow City who eased past Aberdeen thanks to a 5-0 win over the Dons.

Last season’s SWPL 1 player of the year Priscila Chinchilla put the six-time champions ahead after she fired in Lauren Davidson’s cross.

In the second half the duo were involved again as this time Chinchilla was brought down in the box by Aberdeen ‘keeper Aaliyah-Jay Meach and Davidson stepped up to double Glasgow City’s lead.

Amy Muir’s throw-in found Emily Whelan who turned past the Dons defence and made it 3-0 with a superb strike into the top corner before turning provider for Davidson for her second and Glasgow City’s fourth.

Meikayla Moore got the final goal – her first for the club – after she met Hayley Lauder’s free-kick to seal the win.

Queen’s Park 0-5 Rangers

SWPL 1 champions Rangers eased past Queen’s Park, thanks in part to a Kirsty Howat hat-trick.

It took just six minutes for Malky Thomson’s side to make the breakthrough as Kayla McCoy’s delivery was turned goalward by Howat who beat Queen’s Park goalkeeper Lauren Grant at the second attempt.

Rangers were 2-0 ahead with 20 minutes played as Jodi McLeary got on the scoresheet after Grant denied Kayla McCoy.

Howat had her second and Rangers’ third before the break as she slotted home from Colette Cavanagh’s delivery.

Kirsty Maclean made it 4-0 – tapping in from Maddie Nolf’s cross – before Howat had her hat-trick in the closing stages, slotting past Grant.

Hamilton Academical 0-8 Hibernian

The biggest win of the second round came for Hibernian who won 8-0 at Hamilton Accies.

Crystal Thomas opened the scoring, reacting first to a loose ball following Eilidh Adams’ shot, before doubling her tally 10 minutes later following Shannon McGregor’s through ball.

It was a dream start for the forward Thomas who then had Hibs’ third and her hat-trick after 33 minutes following some clever link-up play with Adams.

In the second half Adams and McGregor got in on the act before a double from Krystyna Freda and a 90th-minute header from Rosie Livingstone saw Hibs seal their biggest victory of the season.

Hearts 1-1 Spartans (Spartans win 5-4 on penalties)

Spartans took the bragging rights again in the Edinburgh derby with victory over Hearts on penalties.

It was the perfect start for the away side who took the lead after just nine minutes when captain Alana Marshall’s corner kick evaded everyone and flew into the back of the net.

However, substitute Rebecca McAllister – who joined on a permanent deal from Celtic in the summer – drew Hearts level.

Extra time couldn’t separate the two teams and despite Spartans missing their first penalty, they won the shootout 5-4 when Katie Rood had her spot-kick saved by Rachel Harrison.

Motherwell 2-1 Dundee United

Motherwell are also into the last-eight despite a Dundee United comeback.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah fired her side into the lead as a strike from distance flew into the top corner after just 18 minutes.

Motherwell had a second before-half time as Gill Inglis also got in on the act, finding the same corner from distance.

Dundee United did pull one back early in the second half through Tammy Harkin, however, it wasn’t enough to avoid a cup exit.

Stirling University 1-2 Glasgow Women

Glasgow Women avoided an upset with a 2-1 win over SWPL 2 side Stirling University who took an early lead through Ann Taylor.

The Glasgow side, who were without a win this season, responded in the second half with goals through Louisa Boyes and Hannah Cunningham to reach the last eight, despite a late sending-off.

Kilmarnock 2-0 Gartcairn

Kilmarnock are the only SWPL 2 side left in the competition after beating Gartcairn.

Abby Robinson crossed in for Kirsty O’Brien who nodded home the opener after 34 minutes and a second-half Alex Middleton penalty sealed Killie’s place in the quarter-finals and avenged for defeat in a meeting between the sides earlier in the season.

Place Du Carrousel caused a huge upset when getting up late to beat Nashwa in the Prix de l’Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp.

It was nearly the perfect front-running ride from Hollie Doyle on Nashwa, who took the lead and set a sensible tempo in the very deep ground before kicking clear.

It appeared she had stolen enough ground to hold on but just as John and Thady Gosden’s filly began to get tired, Andre Fabre’s Place Du Carrousel – not seen since finishing a long way behind Nashwa in the Prix de Diane – began to sprout wings.

Fabre said: “The ground has made the difference for her today. She won a Group Three and was placed in a Group One but was a bit sore on the summer ground after the Diane and needed a bit of time.

“She’s a big, scopey filly and the Breeders’ Cup could now be an option. If not, she will stay in training with plenty of options.”

John Gosden said of Nashwa: “She ran a wonderful race. Unfortunately it was tough on her having to go and move across like Tuesday did. It cost us at the other end in the final 100 yards.”

Mickael Barzalona timed it just right to claim a second winner on the card after also causing a shock in the opening Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Belbek.

With Aidan O’Brien’s pre-race favourite The Antarctic pulled out on the morning of the race after being found to be lame, the contest looked to be up for grabs for fellow Irish contender Shartash, from the Johnny Murtagh team.

But, Ben Coen struggled to get the 15/8 favourite going in the rain-sodden ground, finishing fourth.

Barzalona, winning the race for a fourth time, made his move aboard Belbek inside the final furlong and out-stayed Gamestop, who had hit the front 200 yards from the winning post. Breizh Sky finished off well in third.

The winner is automatically qualified for the Breeders’ Cup next month but Fabre indicated his preference for the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster, live on Sky Sports Racing on October 22.

“We always thought he had a lot of ability but we struggled to find the right conditions,” Fabre told Sky Sports Racing. “He’s good-looking, well-bred, a good horse. Doncaster could be next.”

The Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac title will also stay in France as trainer Christopher Head landed his first Group One in the year that father Freddy Head will retire.

Blue Rose Cen (9/2) seemed to relish the soft ground as she sprinted clear along the far rail to win by five lengths under jockey Aurelien Lemaitre.

Two Irish challengers chased her home, with Jim Bolger’s Gan Teorainn finishing second ahead of Aidan O’Brien’s Never Ending Story.

Reflecting on his son’s success, Freddy Head told Sky Sports Racing: “I’m very happy for him, he’s done very well.

“She’s a very good filly and must’ve loved the ground to win like that. She’s always been very consistent.

“It’s a special moment [for Chris] and I hope there’s many more.”