Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - January 3, 2013

Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.

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LUCAS AT LARGE M I K E LUCA S • UWB A DGERS.C OM Returning coaches happy to look forward T homas Hammock and Ben Strickland each knew in their heart that they wanted to stay. That was only reinforced after conversations with Wisconsin's new head coach Gary Andersen. "First of all, he's a straight-shooter," Hammock said. "He puts the players first.'' That also stood out to Strickland. There was what Strickland called his "genuine care for his players'' and "doing what's best for them'' that was unmistakable when talking to Andersen. "That's something I've always believed in,'' Strickland said, "and I could see it come across in him. We were on the same page that way and it was obviously exciting to me.'' Of course, there were other considerations for Hammock and Strickland, not the least of which was their respect for the football program, along with their love of the school, campus and community. "This is a great place,'' said Hammock, who began his coaching tenure in Madison as a Barry Alvarez graduate assistant coach. "It would have to take a pretty unique situation to get me to leave.'' Strickland, a former UW walkon, played for Alvarez and also worked as a grad assistant and in quality control under Bret Bielema before finally getting promoted to a full-time position last winter. "Just through the conversations that we had,'' Strickland said, "there was a feeling that he (Andersen) needed somebody on staff who knows this place and what it was all 16 » VARSITY JANUA RY 3, 2013 about.'' Hammock will continue to coach the running backs, while Strickland will assist Bill Busch with the secondary. Busch, another former Alvarez grad assistant, had been with Andersen at Utah State. After Tuesday's loss to Stanford in the Rose Bowl, Hammock and Strickland returned to Madison on the team charter along with the other assistant coaches who have taken jobs elsewhere. "Obviously, it has been challenging ― trying to get focused for the game with different guys moving on,'' Hammock said. "But at the end of the day, we're professionals. "We understand what the business is about and we just have to go out there and do our job.'' And that's what they all did ― blocking out any distractions. "Obviously, I've built great relationships with the staff that was here,'' Strickland said, "and seeing those guys taking other jobs, it was a mix of emotions. "But I understand that everybody has to do what is best for themselves and their family when stuff like this happens.'' There were individuals who touched Strickland in many ways as both a player and coach. "Guys who have helped me get started in this profession,'' he said, "and I had learned a lot from.'' But he's focused on a fresh start and "I'm excited to see what the future holds'' for the program. That also holds true for Hammock, who will be moving on without a big piece to the puzzle. "Losing Montee Ball is a big void that somebody needs to fill,'' Hammock said. "It's a unique situation in that it's the first time the guys are competing to get the bulk of the carries.'' James White and Melvin Gordon already have their foot in that door. "When we come back in January," Hammock said, "we're going to talk about being that starter.'' Gordon's development has been particularly intriguing. "He has encouraged me throughout bowl practices by the way he has matured and grown up,'' Hammock said. "The sky is the limit for him.'' Although the Badgers must replace three senior starters in the secondary, Strickland believes in some of the young defensive backs who have been waiting in the wings for their opportunities. "There's talent,'' he said. "It's just a matter of these kids coming in and getting some experience and building on the confidence they showed in practice because they definitely have the ability.'' Strickland singled out Dez Southward, the lone returning starter. "I'm excited for him to take on that leadership role and set the example for how we're going to play in the back end," he said. Hammock feels like this season's growing pains will pay dividends. "If everybody comes back and puts in the work to climb that mountain again,'' he said, "I think we have a chance to be a very good team next year."

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