Hall of Fame inductions and awards, a tenure of success spanning more than 30 years at the University of Wisconsin, none of that makes hard decisions any easier for Athletic Director and former head football coach Barry Alvarez.
He had to experience that with the eventual resignation of Badgers basketball strength and conditioning coach Eric Helland after his use of a racial epithet.
“When you’re talking about personnel, they’re all tough. There are decisions that have to be made,” said Alvarez in a one-on-one discussion with WTMJ’s John Mercure.
“Any decision that comes out of the athletic department has my stamp on it. I take full responsibility for any decision that comes out of here.”
The letting go of Helland happened around the same time as Kobe King decided to leave the UW program. Since that point, UW has gone 4-1, with wins over Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue.
“Someone leaving the team mid-season, I never liked that. That’s hard to deal with,” said Alvarez.
“I like the guys who are here. That’s who I’m concerned with, the athletes that are playing right now. I’m very proud of how our basketball team has responded.”