Legendary Badgers Coach Alive and Well Amidst Viral Death Rumors

Barry Alvarez, the esteemed former head football coach and athletic director for the Wisconsin Badgers, remains alive and well despite a viral rumor suggesting otherwise circulating on X Wednesday morning.

The misinformation originated from former Ohio State and NFL defensive end Matt Finkes, who tweeted about it at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

“Football lost a legend today,” Finkes wrote. “Barry was a pillar of the sport & a great guy. “Never forget him coaching me in the East West Shrine game & coming back to the hotel & seeing him & my dad at the bar having scotch & telling stories till the wee hours. RIP Barry.”

This tweet quickly spread across social media platforms, leading to widespread speculation about Alvarez’s death.

However, Jim Polzin of the Wisconsin State Journal promptly reached out to Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh to confirm Alvarez’s well-being. McIntosh assured Polzin that Alvarez was indeed alive, dispelling the rumors.

Despite a rumor this morning on Twitter, former #Badgers coach and AD Barry Alvarez is alive. Chris McIntosh told me he just got off the phone with Alvarez.

— Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) March 6, 2024

Matt Finkes Issues Apology for Spreading Barry Alvarez Death Rumors 

Following the clarification, Finkes issued an apology for his earlier tweet, stating, “Apologize for the earlier tweet about @BadgerFootball Barry Alvarez. There was a post this morning from a reliable source. I did not research further. Happy Barry is still rocking!!”

Apologize for the earlier tweet about @BadgerFootball Barry Alvarez. There was a post this morning from a reliable source. I did not research further. Happy Barry is still rocking!!

— Matt Finkes (@MattFinkes) March 6, 2024

Barry Alvarez, age 77, served as the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 1990 to 2005. He amassed an impressive record of 118 wins, 75 losses, and four ties during his tenure — even making guest appearances as head coach in the 2013 Rose Bowl and 2015 Outback Bowl after his retirement.

Alvarez led the Badgers to three Rose Bowl victories, cementing his legacy as the first Big Ten coach to win said game back-to-back times. He also coached 12 first-team All-Americans and 62 first-team All-Big Ten picks.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. For more Wisconsin Badgers Athletics and Big Ten content, follow us on Twitter & Facebook. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher @DillonGraff at Dillon.T.Graff@gmail.com. 

Also, be sure to check out our shop, subscribe to our newsletter, and the BadgerNotes After Dark podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. Because of your support, we have become one of the fastest-growing independent media outlets focused on giving a voice to the fans!