Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Barry Alvarez

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Barry Alvarez made an impact.

Barry Alvarez is a former American college football coach and athletic director, primarily known for his impactful tenure at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As head football coach from 1990 to 2005, he transformed the Badgers program, achieving a record of 119–72–4, the most wins in the program's history. Alvarez led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowl victories and multiple Big Ten Conference championships. After stepping down as head coach in 2005, he continued to serve as the university's athletic director until 2021, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in Wisconsin athletics.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1966: Played Linebacker at Nebraska

From 1966, Barry Alvarez played linebacker at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln under coach Bob Devaney.

1968: Continued Playing Linebacker at Nebraska

In 1968, Barry Alvarez continued to play as linebacker at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

1972: Assistant Coach at Lincoln Northeast High School

In 1972, Barry Alvarez was an assistant coach in charge of the defense at Lincoln Northeast High School football team. His undefeated team won the City Championship, Trans-Nebraska Championship and were Co-Champions for the State of Nebraska, Class 'A'.

1978: Head Coach at Mason City High School

In 1978, Barry Alvarez was head coach at Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa. There, the Mohawks won the class 4A state title.

1979: Coaching at Iowa

From 1979, Barry Alvarez coached linebackers at Iowa.

1986: Continued Coaching at Iowa

In 1986, Barry Alvarez continued to coach linebackers at Iowa.

1987: Part of Lou Holtz's Staff

From 1987, Barry Alvarez was part of Lou Holtz's staff at Notre Dame.

1987: Coached Wes Pritchett

In 1987, Barry Alvarez coached linebacker Wes Pritchett at Notre Dame.

1988: Notre Dame Won National Championship

In 1988, Barry Alvarez led the defense of Notre Dame, which finished 12-0 as national champions.

1988: National Champions

In 1988, as the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame, Barry Alvarez contributed to the team being named national champions.

1989: Part of Lou Holtz's Staff

In 1989, Barry Alvarez was still a part of Lou Holtz's staff at Notre Dame.

1989: Notre Dame Defense Finished 9th

In 1989, the Notre Dame defense, under Barry Alvarez, finished 9th in points allowed, and the team ended the season with a 12-1 record.

1990: Named Head Coach at Wisconsin

In 1990, Barry Alvarez became the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, inheriting a program that had struggled for several years.

1990: Hired as Head Coach

In 1990, Barry Alvarez was hired as the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, inheriting a struggling program.

1992: Signs of the Future

In 1992, Barry Alvarez's Wisconsin team showed signs of improvement, upsetting Ohio State on national television. Several losses were close games, and the team narrowly missed a bowl appearance.

1993: Rose Bowl Appearance

In 1993, Barry Alvarez led the Wisconsin Badgers to a 10–1–1 record and their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1963, securing only the second bowl win in the school's history.

1994: Rose Bowl Win

In 1994, under Barry Alvarez's leadership, the Wisconsin Badgers won the Rose Bowl.

1998: First 11-Win Season

In 1998, Barry Alvarez's team achieved the first 11-win season in Wisconsin school history.

1999: Big Ten Title

In 1999, Barry Alvarez's team won Wisconsin's first outright Big Ten title in 37 years.

2000: Rose Bowl Win

In 2000, under Barry Alvarez's leadership, the Wisconsin Badgers won the Rose Bowl.

2003: Win Over Ohio State

In 2003, Barry Alvarez secured a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes during Jim Tressel's coaching tenure there.

2004: Appointed Athletic Director

In 2004, Barry Alvarez replaced Pat Richter as athletic director at Wisconsin while retaining his position as head coach.

2004: Win Over Ohio State

In 2004, Barry Alvarez secured a consecutive win over the Ohio State Buckeyes during Jim Tressel's coaching tenure there.

2005: Stepped Down as Head Coach

After the 2005 season, Barry Alvarez stepped down as head coach but remained in his role as athletic director, allowing him to select his successor, Bret Bielema.

2006: Color Commentator for Fox Sports

During the 2006-07 bowl season, Barry Alvarez began working as a color commentator/analyst for Fox Sports.

2006: First Retirement

In 2006, Barry Alvarez retired for the first time at Wisconsin with a victory over the Auburn Tigers in the Capital One Bowl.

2007: Continued as Color Commentator for Fox Sports

In 2007, Barry Alvarez continued to work as a color commentator for Fox Sports, covering the Fiesta Bowl and BCS National Championship Game as well as select NFL games.

December 5, 2012: Named Interim Coach

On December 5, 2012, Barry Alvarez was named the interim coach for the Badgers in the 2013 Rose Bowl, following Bret Bielema's departure.

2013: Interim Head Coach in Rose Bowl

In 2013, Barry Alvarez served as the interim head coach for Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, following the departure of Bret Bielema.

2013: Rose Bowl Loss

In 2013, as interim coach, Barry Alvarez led the Badgers in the Rose Bowl, where they lost to the Stanford Cardinal.

2014: Member of College Football Playoff Selection Committee

In 2014, with the introduction of the College Football Playoff system, Barry Alvarez was selected as one of the inaugural members of the College Football Playoff selection committee.

2015: Interim Head Coach in Outback Bowl

In 2015, Barry Alvarez served as the interim head coach for Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, after Gary Andersen's departure.

July 1, 2021: Retirement as Athletic Director

On July 1, 2021, Barry Alvarez stepped down as athletic director at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a position he held since retiring as head football coach.