Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen takes Halloween very seriously

Meanwhile, on the internet by Tribune Reporters

Published: November 6, 2013 3:41 pm
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I've heard of player-friendly coaches before, but what about when your coach jumps in as an actual player during practice?

Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen, formerly the head coach of Utah and Utah State, donned a Wisconsin jersey, a multi-colored headband and a mullet that would make Brian Bosworth proud during the team's bye week, fully embracing the concept of Halloween and even participating in a blocking drill against senior nose tackle Beau Allen.

Andersen got the best of Allen in the first video, lining up at the center position and mauling the 6-foot 3-inch, 325-pound tackle like he was a skinny freshman. Whoops and hollers can be heard from the Wisconsin players as they cheer on their 49-year-old coach who apparently could step into the Badgers' starting lineup this week against Brigham Young University.

However, to avoid complete embarrassment, Allen gets his revenge with a pass rushing swim move that tosses Andersen aside like a rag doll in the second video. After a heated battle, both Andersen and Allen celebrate with a jumping chest bump. Fair warning: Andersen swears in the second video.

The 24th ranked Badgers must feel good this week knowing they have a quality head coach and a solid offensive lineman if one of their starters goes down with an injury.

— Brennan Smith

Twitter: @brennanjsmith

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