Whenever a new head coach takes over a football program, one of two paths can be taken: The team can continue on without a hitch, or the new regime can fall flat on its face. After Saturday night's convincing 35-14 win over Bowling Green, it is apparent that first-year head coach Bret Bielema is starting down the right path.
Winning is nothing new to coach Bielema. He has worked with some of the best in college football. Bielema started his coaching career at his alma mater, Iowa, and spent nine seasons there working under head coaches Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz as an assistant coach. He then moved on to Kansas State, and was the co-defensive coordinator there from 2002-'03 for former head coach Bill Snyder.
""Coach Bielema has learned from a lot of great coaches,"" senior quarterback John Stocco said. ""He is going to make the best decisions for this program and his players.""
Bielema made the jump to Badgers' defensive coordinator in 2004 and 2005. Over the past two years Bielema has had the Badger defense running on all cylinders. The 2004 defense finished ninth nationally in total defense, and sixth overall in scoring defense. And no one will ever forget last year's pummeling of Auburn in the Capital One Bowl, where Bielema's defense held the high-powered Tigers to only 236 yards.
It seems wherever Bielema has coached, a strong defense has followed, and the case was no different Saturday night. Although the Badger defense did yield a total of 301 yards, with 158 rushing yards to quarterback Freddie Barnes, they only allowed two touchdowns, and shut down the Falcon's offense in the second and fourth quarter.
Bielema was happy with the way his team played overall, but said he knows there is always room for improvement.
""After watching the film, there are a lot of things that we need to improve,"" Bielema said at Monday's press conference. ""When you sit back and watch as coaches, there are a few more things that pop up when you analyze each play.""
Bielema is not the only new member of the Badger coaching staff. Seven of the 10 members of the coaching staff are in their first year with the team. While most people would consider this a weakness for a first-year head coach, Bielema is very comfortable and confident with his fellow coaches.
""After we sat down and watched the film, I really liked the way they managed the game as coaches as well,"" Bielema said. ""Not just on the sidelines and what they did during their adjustment phases, but at halftime and the post-game as well.""
Wisconsin returns home this Saturday for their home-opener against Western Illinois, a tough I-AA school. While many fans look lightly on the Badger's non-conference schedule, Bielema is not looking past any opponent.
""They are an I-AA opponent but they are a team that has been proven to play with the big boys on all levels, Bielema said. ""They have done a great job the last several years under coach [Don] Patterson.""
With Saturday's game scheduled to kickoff at 2:34 p.m., Bielema and the Badgers are excited to come back home to Camp Randall and play in front of the Badger faithful.
""The biggest thing is that this is an opportunity for us to come back to Camp Randall for the first time this year,"" Bielema said, ""and go out in front of our fans and make this place what it is.""
