People will assume Solinsky because he recently took a job in athletic alumni relations back there. But the Badgers AD just quit literally this week and immediately took a job with the Big Ten, which was very weird, but another story. Regardless, there's going to be a new AD that might not have the same handshake agreements the previous one did, if there even was one for Solinksy. So that's a long way of say who the hell knows.
You have to think Gavin Kennedy will be a strong candidate for the job. 7 years as Mick’s assistant at Wisconsin, now the director at Loyola and done a nice job making that team competitive in the Midwest region and produced some impressive individuals. I’d have to guess he’ll be Mick’s recommendation as well. I’m not familiar with the administration and alumni opinion on Solinsky, but he hasn’t necessarily had the most impressive coaching career aside from lucking into coaching Parker Valby.
Still Mick I’d imagine. He’s retiring from working at Wisconsin, not necessarily from coaching altogether. Grant Fisher’s coach is a retired high school coach.
Mick is not going anywhere anytime soon, and he shouldn't. He has more energy and focus than 99% of you in here. Why would he retire? Like Pat Henry, this is all he has, and he is still winning with Wisconsin's tough situation (location, weather, lack of $, etc).
He was an outside hire at the time and did really well there. Got that XC course built and hosted a lot of big meets including nationals.
Maybe it is kept in house but I could see the new AD making their own hire.
Honestly the new AD is going to have to get the money to fire the football coach and fundraise for a roster. Probably go with the easiest hire possible.
Upper Midwest is pretty great from right about now until roughly November... But then It's fun to have some cooler weather in November/December through Thanksgiving and Christmas and the end of football season... It's only a drag in January/February/March. And that's indoor track season anyway, traveling the country going to indoor meets as the coach, you're not exactly spending a bunch of time outside.
Presumably Mick is retiring from coaching Wisconsin full-time so he can devote all his energy to coaching Morgan on the build up to his eventual medal at the LA 2028 Olympics.
He was an outside hire at the time and did really well there. Got that XC course built and hosted a lot of big meets including nationals.
Maybe it is kept in house but I could see the new AD making their own hire.
Honestly the new AD is going to have to get the money to fire the football coach and fundraise for a roster. Probably go with the easiest hire possible.
Sure, the XC course was built when Mick was there. But speaking of facilities, now we have just photos and memories of an indoor track. That also happened during Mick's tenure.
Mick is not going anywhere anytime soon, and he shouldn't. He has more energy and focus than 99% of you in here. Why would he retire? Like Pat Henry, this is all he has, and he is still winning with Wisconsin's tough situation (location, weather, lack of $, etc).
He was an outside hire at the time and did really well there. Got that XC course built and hosted a lot of big meets including nationals.
Maybe it is kept in house but I could see the new AD making their own hire.
Honestly the new AD is going to have to get the money to fire the football coach and fundraise for a roster. Probably go with the easiest hire possible.
Sure, the XC course was built when Mick was there. But speaking of facilities, now we have just photos and memories of an indoor track. That also happened during Mick's tenure.
Except no local HS teams are allowed to use the XC course. I’m surprised they don’t hold a premiere level HS XC meet there. I wouldn’t blame the indoor track on Mick though, that’s just standard AD politics not knowing/caring about track and field. The unfortunate reality for most schools.