Ball says Badgers handling coaching changes

• Rose Bowl

Rose Bowl

Talk about it

PASEDENA, Calf. - University of Wisconsin running back Montee Ball says the Badgers are mature enough to handle all the hype about the team's coaching changes.

Ball says the players know that winning produces new opportunities for coaches -- but the team's mission is still to beat Oregon in Monday's Rose Bowl. Ball and some of the Badgers spoke at a news conference at Disneyland yesterday. Senior fullback Bradie Ewing says nothing has changed, and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and line coach Bob Bostad are still doing their jobs. Chryst and Bostad will head off to new jobs at Pittsburgh after the game. But for now, quarterback Russell Wilson says there's nothing to indicate that Chryst's mind is elsewhere -- and he's totally focused on the game plan for Oregon.

Badgers' head coach Bret Bielema says he won't name a new offensive coordinator until later. He said he has never hired anyone from the outside, but he might have to this time. Still, Bielema said tight ends coach Joe Rudolph and running backs' coach Thomas Hammock would be considered.

___________________________________________________________________

Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema confirmed yesterday afternoon that offensive line coach Bob Bostad would join offensive coordinator Paul Chryst at Pittsburgh. But after saying that either Bostad or tight ends coach Joe Rudolph would most likely run the Badger offense, Bielema left the coordinator’s spot open for now – and he named Rudolph as Bostad’s replacement on the offensive line. Chryst took the head coaching job at Pitt last week, and Bielema said the day before that one other Badger assistant would go with him. Bielema had refused to name the person. But after various media reports said it was Bostad, the Badgers’ coach confirmed it this afternoon at Pasadena. He said the other coaching changes would not be announced until after Monday’s Rose Bowl

_____________________________________________________________________

Nike has unveiled the new uniform that Oregon will wear during next Monday's Rose Bowl against Wisconsin. Nike -- which is based in the Ducks' home state -- calls it the "most advanced football uniform ever assembled." It's billed as an advancement of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms, which Oregon unveiled at the BCS title game a year ago. Nike says it will use the most lightweight "breath-able" material yet, with enhanced durability. The shoulders will have an armored wing design and numbers said to be as light as a "mallard's feathers." Wisconsin has said it will use special jerseys for the Rose Bowl -- but they promise to be less flashy than Oregon's.

Tags: wisconsin sports, proam, football, badgers