Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.
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30 // VARSITY March 6, 2014 A fter the 2013 football season, Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen set a personal goal to run a 10K before his birthday in mid-February. With 10 days to spare, he pulled it off ― on a treadmill. "It was not the fastest in the history of the world," he allowed. "But I got it done." And it made him feel better, he conceded, about turning 50. What a difference year can make, especially in terms of Andersen's second spring practice with the Badgers. It all started anew this week. "Everything is completely differ- ent," he said. "Day and night would be a good analogy." In any transition, the new coaches can sound like they're communicating in French or Latin during that first spring. "There's now an understanding of how we want the pro- gram to be run," Andersen said. "The kids are more com- fortable. You know their personalities and they know yours." On the field, time is not wasted teaching the players how to line up for drills or conditioning them to the practice tempo. "Last year, we were cracking the shell," said Ander- sen. "Now, we're more worried about schemes, techniques and fundamentals; we're much more into the X's and O's." That familiarity can accelerate the growth process by teaching and playing faster. "Our older kids are doing a tre- mendous job of influencing and helping our younger kids understand what is expected of them at practice," he said. "A year ago, the older kids didn't know what to expect." Wisconsin offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has a fa- vorite phrase to describe the standard growing pains for everyone involved. "A year ago at this time, you were drink- ing water through a fire hose," he said. "Now, you're going about your business and getting ready for a great spring." The operative word is "settled." Andersen used it, so did Ludwig. "We're so much more settled," Ludwig said. "The coaches know each other. The coaches know the players. The players know the coaches and the system is intact. The system is not changing. There's no new terminology to learn." It's fair to say everything has settled down on both sides of the ball. That's what UW defensive coordinator Dave Aranda was saying. "In the attitude, in the expectations and in the anticipation of what's coming ― in all of those things ― I just think we're ahead (this spring)," he said. With six practices scheduled prior to spring break (March 15-23) Aranda noted, "I almost look at that as two spring balls. In those first six, there's a lot of care and at- tention to detail with our base and what we need to accom- plish to win games. When we come back, we can get into more exotic things." DAVID STLUKA