For at least five days, brakes tapped on Chryst’s UW hire

For those who are, either to celebrate or to mock, anxious for the Paul Chryst era at Wisconsin to get started, you’ll have to wait a little while longer.

Earlier today it was reported by multiple media outlets that UW had zeroed in on the current Pittsburgh head coach as its new coach. While some made the hiring seem imminent, with some of those saying that the job had already been offered, one report made sure to note that applications for what is a job as a state employee must be received no later than Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The intimation was that UW could not, per policy, make a hire until at least that date. In a statement, athletic director Barry Alvarez confirmed as much.

“We are continuing the process of finding our new head football coach. We have not offered the position to anyone. In accordance with University of Wisconsin hiring policies, the earliest we could make an offer to a candidate is Wednesday, Dec. 17. Any accepted offer would be contingent upon approval by the UW System Board of Regents.”

Translation: Chryst will be announced as the next head coach of the Badgers Wednesday, Dec. 17. Until then, Chryst, and whatever staff he may be assembling and bringing to Madison, will remain in limbo.

Meanwhile, Pitt will begin the process that will end with the Panthers’ fifth full-time head coach since 2010.