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Wisconsin fires Paul Chryst; names DC Leonhard interim coach

The move comes a day after Wisconsin lost at home 34-10 to Illinois

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst
Former Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. Kayla Wolf/AP Photo

Wisconsin has fired head coach Paul Chryst after a 2-3 start to his eighth season leading his alma mater.

The surprising move comes a day after Wisconsin lost at home 34-10 to Illinois and former Badgers coach Bret Bielema.

Chryst is 67-26 since taking over as coach of the Badgers in 2015. But the program has been backsliding.

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Chryst had double-digit win seasons in four of his first five years at Wisconsin and has gone 33-19 since, including 15-12 in the last 27 games.

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, another former Badgers player, was named interim coach.

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Wisconsin Public Radio, @ Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. The Associated Press contributed to this report.  All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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