Just weeks ago, former Wisconsin Badgers Athletic Director was in full support of head coach Luke Fickell, calling out the fanbase for their ‘Fire Fickell’ chants during the team’s 27-10 loss at home to the Maryland Terrapins.
“I think it’s embarrassing,” Alvarez said about the fans on his ESPN Madison show after the loss. “I think it’s terrible, despicable. They’re spoiled rotten. Here’s a team that you’ve got young players trying to come on, they’re competing, they’re going to have a chance to get
better, and you flip on them. We’re early in the season and you flip on them and you’re chanting for the coach (to be fired).”
Well, that tone completely changed this week when recapping the loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes, as Alvarez shredded the team for its lack of effort in the 37-0 blowout.
“This is about pride. I mean, you’re playing on a team, and you go out and play like that,” Alvarez said, criticizing the Badgers. “Everybody in that stadium saw a lack of effort. To have Iowa put the game away in the first quarter. Give me a break.”
“I hate to be critical. But if anybody is upset with that, go look at film. This is not us being critical. It’s us being honest. Look at what happened; we saw it. We saw it firsthand, then watched the replay and saw it again.”
The former head coach and Athletic Director pointed out the lack of identity, which hasn’t been there for much of the Fickell said.
“I’d call a staff meeting immediately, and I’d address some things because it’s too damn late now,” Alvarez continued. “How are you going to start establishing an identity? You’re into the season, you’re into conference play now. That has to happen during the offseason.”
That’s a much different take than the one Alvarez had a few weeks ago, and speaks to where the program currently stands in one of the worst seasons in recent memory.
