Madison – Paul Chryst, a native of Madison, returned home last December to take over a football program that needed stability and the guidance of a coach familiar with Wisconsin's history and the roots of the Badgers' success.
Greg Gard, a native of Dodgeville, finds himself in a similar position.
Like Chryst, a Madison native and UW alum who turned 50 last month, Gard has roots in the state that have grown stronger over decades.
Gard, 45, graduated from UW-Platteville in 1995. He has spent the last 14-plus seasons at UW, working at the side of Bo Ryan, who stepped down as head coach Tuesday night.