Barry Alvarez might be the coach closest in comparison to Frost in the sense that both coaches inherited programs that needed a total rebuild. I believe most Wisconsin fans would consider Alvarez a successful coach there. He brought the program back to national prominence, 3 conference titles, 8-3 bowl record including 3 Rose bowl victories. And yet he averaged just 7.3 wins per season while coaching at Wisconsin.
these narratives painting the situation Frost inherited to be similar to Alvarez, etc are ridiculous. The programs Frost and Alvarez inherited are in no way similar.
Alvarez took over a program that had won 6 games in the prior 3 years. Had been to 4 bowl games since 1960 and had 21 losing seasons the prior 25 years. Their last 9 win season had occurred in 1901.
Frost took over a program that had won 19 games the prior 3 years. 51 bowl games and 5 national titles since 1960. 4 losing seasons in the last 25 years.
Alvarez went to the Rose Bowl in year 4.
By year 4 the vast majority of the players in the program will be Frosts including a 21st and 15th ranked recruiting class who will be upper classmen.
As posted above, in years 4, 5 and 6 Ferentz finished ranked in the top 10 each of those years.
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