Barry Alvarez Set To Retire

There will at some point be an opening at the Athletic Director position at the University of Wisconsin. Something that has rarely happened over the past 32 years, which speaks to the sustained success in the University Athletic Department.

Pat Richter, who was the AD at Wisconsin from 1989 to 2004, helped lift UW out of financial ruin and also made some great hires to give the schools major programs (basketball and football) a much needed boost.

Richter was followed by Barry Alvarez for the AD position, the man that Richter hit a home run on by hiring him as the football coach in 1990 to resurrect the football program, which Alvarez did.

Alvarez is expected to announce his retirement soon, which leaves massive shoes to fill at a crucial moment in the athletic department.

Chris McIntosh has been groomed by Alvarez to take over. However, it remains to be seen whether Alvarez will get his way or not. The decision ultimately is in the hands of University of Wisconsin Chancellor Becky Blank on who the next hire will be.

McIntosh is 44 years old and has been working with UW since December 2014. He started as a director of business development before being promoted to Alvarez’s senior staff in early 2016.

McIntosh played under Alvarez at left tackle from 1996-99, starting 50 games and serving as a captain on the teams that won back-to-back Rose Bowls.

There was no comment from the University yesterday when word got out about Alvarez retiring. But the University said all vacancies go through an open search process.