Paul Chryst Emerging as Top Target for Big Ten Coaching Vacancy

Former Wisconsin football head coach Paul Chryst has been a busy man this offseason. 

Chryst is currently serving as an offensive analyst for the Texas Longhorns but has interviewed for the Northwestern, Indiana, and Oregon State head coaching vacancies since the season ended.

However, he either decided against taking them (Northwestern), or the schools went another direction, hiring Curt Cignetti and Trent Brey.

Some have speculated that Chryst is a better fit for a Group of 5 program that is not as reliant on NIL to construct a roster. Still, another potential option is quietly emerging that would see the long-time Badgers coach as a Power 5 offensive coordinator to help boost his stock. 

Former Wisconsin Football Coach Paul Chryst Emerging as Target for Iowa’s OC Vacancy. 

Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

A source close to the situation has shared with BadgerNotes.com that the third-winningest head coach in Wisconsin football history is high on the wishlist of options for Iowa’s vacant offensive coordinator job.

There is a mutual respect between Chryst and Kirk Ferentz from their many years of coaching together in the Big Ten. It’s also worth noting that Keller Chryst, Paul’s nephew, currently serves as an analyst for the Hawkeyes after a two-year stint in a similar role at Wisconsin.

Chryst has an accomplished resume from his time with the Badgers, finishing with a record of 67-26 and 43-18 in Big Ten play before his dismissal in October 2022 following a 2-3 start.

His early years with the Wisconsin Badgers saw remarkable success, securing (4) 10-win seasons, two top-10 finishes, and clinching wins at the Cotton and Orange Bowls in 2016 and 2017.

Chryst also won Big Ten Coach of the Year twice and led Wisconsin to three division titles, culminating in a Rose Bowl appearance in 2019.

What makes him an intriguing fit for Iowa, who has been completely incompetent on offense for the past several seasons, is their somewhat aligning philosophies. Ferentz and Chryst both prefer to control the clock, win in the trenches, and play a pro-style offense.

As an offensive coordinator for the Wisconsin football program, Chryst, particularly in 2010 and 2011, steered potent offenses, registering impressive scoring averages of 41.5 points per game and 44.1, respectively.

During his career, Chryst also has experience working as an offensive coordinator for Illinois State, CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Oregon State.

It’s unknown at this time if there is mutual interest on Paul Chryst’s side in exploring the open Iowa offensive coordinator job vacated by Brian Ferentz or if he’ll remain in an analyst role while he waits for a head coaching job that he deems a better fit.

Either way, we’ll continue to monitor this one.

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