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Wisconsin's Gary Andersen leaving school to become head coach at Oregon State

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen is heading to Oregon State to fill the Beavers' coaching vacancy.

Andersen went 19-7 in two seasons with the Badgers. He will take over for Mike Riley who left for Nebraska last Thursday.

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez may end up coaching the No. 18 Badgers when they take on No. 19 Auburn in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, according to Brett McMurphy of ESPN

He coached the team in the Rose Bowl two years ago when Bret Bielema left for Arkansas.

About heading west, Andersen said in a statement:

First and foremost I want to thank coach Alvarez for the opportunity to coach at the University of Wisconsin. I also want to thank my staff and the people at UW. We worked very hard together and accomplished some great things. I had the opportunity to meet and coach some great young men and I look forward to watching them as they continue their careers and move through life.

Alvarez said about Andersen's unexpected departure:

I began working to find a new head coach as soon as I spoke with Gary this morning. My first concern is taking care of the players on the current team, especially the senior class, and ensuring that their bowl experience is a memorable one. I will find a head coach to uphold the great tradition at Wisconsin, someone who is committed to excellence both on and off the field.

I want to thank Gary for this two years here and commend him on the way his team performed on the field, in the classroom and in the community. I wish him the best at Oregon State.

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