The Answer

[wrestler_73]

How would they do this year in the WIAC? I bet they would struggle to be top 3.  That should be embarrassing. The answer is right in front of the decision makers.  Becker, Malacek, or Fader would bring in a top tier assistant and find a way to keep the Wisconsin talent and build a championship program...not whine and cry about NIL and the transfer portal and the current state of the program.

[littleguy301]

How would they do this year in the WIAC? I bet they would struggle to be top 3.  That should be embarrassing. The answer is right in front of the decision makers.  Becker, Malacek, or Fader would bring in a top tier assistant and find a way to keep the Wisconsin talent and build a championship program...not whine and cry about NIL and the transfer portal and the current state of the program.

While those 3 coaches have done excellent jobs, would they attract top talent from across the nation? I think they would attract local and rural talent from around the area, they would have to have an Askren on staff or someone like that and then train them to take over the reigns at some point.

There is a ton of talented D1 wrestlers coaching in D2. I asked one if he thought he would ever move to D1. He said he wasn't an all American at D1 and most D1 programs are not going to take a non AA to coach D1 unless he was a world/Olympic team member like tervel.

[wrastle63]

How would they do this year in the WIAC? I bet they would struggle to be top 3.  That should be embarrassing. The answer is right in front of the decision makers.  Becker, Malacek, or Fader would bring in a top tier assistant and find a way to keep the Wisconsin talent and build a championship program...not whine and cry about NIL and the transfer portal and the current state of the program.

While those 3 coaches have done excellent jobs, would they attract top talent from across the nation? I think they would attract local and rural talent from around the area, they would have to have an Askren on staff or someone like that and then train them to take over the reigns at some point.

There is a ton of talented D1 wrestlers coaching in D2. I asked one if he thought he would ever move to D1. He said he wasn't an all American at D1 and most D1 programs are not going to take a non AA to coach D1 unless he was a world/Olympic team member like tervel.

Look at Goodale from Rutgers he was a HS coach.

[CoachO]

It seems to me that facility problems and NIL can be an excuse if you want for not being able to compete with Iowa, Penn State, Michigan and so on but do we really want to use that for not being able to compete with Ohio (not Ohio St), and Rider? Something deeper than facilities and NIL are going on in Madison. Much deeper.

[DocWrestling]

You need to recruit nationally to help find studs that can be all-Americans but some can be found in WI.  But after that  you fill the roster with kids with potential or the proverbial diamond in the rough.  All of these kids should be from WI if you want fans and excitement around the program.  There is no point in sending out a kid that will never be ranked that is from another state and nobody knows his story.

Point is that in the future 80%+ of the roster should be WI kids as you start to rebuild the program.  I don't care if some of Askren's best go elsewhere or any kid chooses elsewhere.  Gamble on WI kids.  At least then more fans will be involved and cheering

[Wrestling Guru]

The right coach will make it work.  The right coach will find a way to make the scholarships, facilities and funding needed to compete at a high level.  Look no further than several D2 and D3 programs in the midwest.  What is controllable and what is out of our control is key.  The right person and people supporting will make an immediate and long lasting change for the program.

I agree 10000%.

My vote would be one of the Askren's but I sound like a broken record.We need a recruiter and a coach to develop wrestlers.

To me it is interesting how South Dakota State, Minnesota and Northern Iowa can all be competing in this new world of sports. Do they all have deep pocket books? Seems to me like some of these other schools have figured it out with the right coaching; Madison needs to jump on board too.

[wrestler_73]

The alibi and excuse club will only focus on why it can't be done.  Iowa has 3 top tier Division one programs and several outstanding D3 programs that would compete very well against the Badgers. 

The answer is pretty simple, it is just going to take a bold decision and pressure from those that want to see it happen.  Do you think any other sport at UW would allow this level of success?

[dad 2 5]

The right coach will make it work.  The right coach will find a way to make the scholarships, facilities and funding needed to compete at a high level.  Look no further than several D2 and D3 programs in the midwest.  What is controllable and what is out of our control is key.  The right person and people supporting will make an immediate and long lasting change for the program.

I agree 10000%.

My vote would be one of the Askren's but I sound like a broken record.We need a recruiter and a coach to develop wrestlers.

To me it is interesting how South Dakota State, Minnesota and Northern Iowa can all be competing in this new world of sports. Do they all have deep pocket books? Seems to me like some of these other schools have figured it out with the right coaching; Madison needs to jump on board too.

I blame Askren for this. He has a deep seeded dislike for the UW and nothing will change that. With that said Bono and crew have driven this into the ground and there needs to be a change. I like the idea of Becker but I think he is close to Askren and out of respect for him I don't think he would be interested.

I might be completely wrong on all this so take it easy on me if you start throw word punches

[Vir Fortis]

It is not hard to figure out. One of the Askrens (pick one) bring in O'Toole or Parker K. (or both) plus a small guy coach.  Bring in a few former AWA's that have committed elsewhere.  Must have Charlie Millard wrestling in the red singlet.

https://uwbadgers.com/honors/uw-athletic-hall-of-fame/ted-kellner/268

It seems like Ben Askren has made it just...abundantly clear he wants to continue to build his program. He's got autonomy to do what he wants.

What are the Badgers going to offer him to get him to walk away? Just financially, what do you think it'd take to break event and go take a job where he'd have a boss again?

So it'd have to be Max. That'd be great. An awesome hire. You'd have the support of your Brother, you'd probably have a couple of other incredible assistants and you'd be able to raise more money as well.

Is he going to leave Askren Wrestling Academy? He's a Partner, right?

I don't think the Askrens are taking the job. I believe Ben has suggested or hinted at Becker being a good choice, but this is a while back and I don't clearly remember what/how he said it, but that'd be where I'd start.



As for the "can they recruit nationally," is anyone going to right now? Get a guy in there, they start having success, keep some Wisconsin kids in state, hopefully some guys who are competitive on MFS and can breathe a little life into the RTC.

Maybe I'm wrong and perhaps the challenge of trying to build a program that can compete with the top programs in thte Country is enough of a challenge for Askren. I kinda doubt it though.

[DocWrestling]

The next wrestling coach will likely face a salary of half of what Bono makes.  Maybe even less than that

[littleguy301]

How would they do this year in the WIAC? I bet they would struggle to be top 3.  That should be embarrassing. The answer is right in front of the decision makers.  Becker, Malacek, or Fader would bring in a top tier assistant and find a way to keep the Wisconsin talent and build a championship program...not whine and cry about NIL and the transfer portal and the current state of the program.

While those 3 coaches have done excellent jobs, would they attract top talent from across the nation? I think they would attract local and rural talent from around the area, they would have to have an Askren on staff or someone like that and then train them to take over the reigns at some point.

There is a ton of talented D1 wrestlers coaching in D2. I asked one if he thought he would ever move to D1. He said he wasn't an all American at D1 and most D1 programs are not going to take a non AA to coach D1 unless he was a world/Olympic team member like tervel.

Look at Goodale from Rutgers he was a HS coach.

99 wins at a d1 program in college. Not to shabby!

[Vir Fortis]

How would they do this year in the WIAC? I bet they would struggle to be top 3.  That should be embarrassing. The answer is right in front of the decision makers.  Becker, Malacek, or Fader would bring in a top tier assistant and find a way to keep the Wisconsin talent and build a championship program...not whine and cry about NIL and the transfer portal and the current state of the program.

While those 3 coaches have done excellent jobs, would they attract top talent from across the nation? I think they would attract local and rural talent from around the area, they would have to have an Askren on staff or someone like that and then train them to take over the reigns at some point.

There is a ton of talented D1 wrestlers coaching in D2. I asked one if he thought he would ever move to D1. He said he wasn't an all American at D1 and most D1 programs are not going to take a non AA to coach D1 unless he was a world/Olympic team member like tervel.

I mean...with respect, you spoke with one coach who shared their anecdotal opinion on why they wouldn't get a D1 Job. 

A guy like Becker, if he wants to be a D1 Coach...he'll become a D1 coach. He was a 3X undefeated National Champ who I don't think made a real long run on the Sr Circuit, but he certainly showed he belonged when he did.

I know the one year he lost a tough 6-4 match in the Semis vs Mark Hall...a guy who went 1/2/2 and very likely wins his 2nd title. This match was right before his Sr year when he had an 80% bonus rate and lost a single match to Kemerer from Iowa(who he'd beaten before an after).
https://youtu.be/J4JsjphiRH0

I'm sure there's a MUCH longer list, but take Mark Manning. His career followed a similar trajectory...but he wasn't as successful as Becker. Manning came to Neb-Omaha, went something like 120-15 in his ensuing 3 years and won 2 titles.
Becker was something like 90-0 in his 3 years and dominated the D2 Nationals.


You'd immediately get more in-state talent and I think Becker can develop guys and...again, go back to Askren. If you want a guy who has Askren's respect, he's already used Becker as an example.


I don't think his lack of a D1 AA Status is going to stop him from coaching at the D1 level...if that was even something he was interested in. It seems as though he's in a good situation as it stands with family around him at Parkside.

[Ghetto]

Coach Becker is an idea that should be floated if and when Bono gets fired for destroying the program. He's from the state, he's a great dude, and he's had success.

Plus he'd be getting a raise, even if it was less than what Bono is making.

People (meaning boosters) would get on board once the ship turns in the right direction.

We need to stop promoting the Ben Askren to be head coach thing. That is absolutely not happening. That train has left the station, went off the rails and is laying on the side of the track.

[hornbuckleb]

Coach Becker is an idea that should be floated if and when Bono gets fired for destroying the program. He's from the state, he's a great dude, and he's had success.

Plus he'd be getting a raise, even if it was less than what Bono is making.

People (meaning boosters) would get on board once the ship turns in the right direction.

We need to stop promoting the Ben Askren to be head coach thing. That is absolutely not happening. That train has left the station, went off the rails and is laying on the side of the track.

Nick has the potential to be a DII hall of fame coach.  Madison is not the place for him in my opinion.  Nick is young and if he can with 3 National Team Tiles in the next 5 years well then maybe...

[Houndhead]

Do we all agree that not matter what the excuses(AWA, NIL, etc..) Bono's time at UW has been a complete failure? When he gets fired, if the wrestling program survives, it is a shell of what it was when Bono was hired.