Alvarez joins minority coaching mentorship program

Retiring AD partnering with National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches

Wisconsin’s Director of Athletics and Hall of Fame football coach Barry Alvarez announced his retirement earlier this month, but that certainly doesn’t mean his involvement with collegiate athletics will end.

Alvarez has partnered with the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches to participate in a new mentorship program called the Coalition Academy.

The Coalition Academy will connect 12 coaches with influential administrators like Alvarez to help “advance the next generation of minority head coaches.”

“It’s well known that minority coaches are underrepresented in head coaching roles,” Alvarez said. “If I can help prepare someone to be a head coach and understand what athletics directors are looking for and how to network and evaluate what’s important, I’m eager to help.

“I’ve been participating on committees for minority coaches with the NCAA and the Big Ten dating back to my coaching days and I’m excited and honored to continue that work with the Coalition Academy. It’s important and I’m glad to try to help increase those opportunities.”

Alvarez is partnered with Marcus Freeman, a rising coach who shares a lot of similarities with the winningest coach in Wisconsin history. Both Alvarez and Freeman played linebacker before entering the coaching ranks. Freeman is also currently serving as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, a position Alvarez held from 1988-89.

“I’m excited to work with Marcus and I enjoyed talking to him this week,” Alvarez said. “I remember watching his defense at Cincinnati last year and being impressed with how they played. I can really relate to him as a former linebacker and Notre Dame coordinator. I think I can be a good resource for him and I’ll be available to him whenever he needs.”

Organized by NCMFC Board Member Desiree Reed-Francois, the Coalition Academy ties together mentorship, networking, and leadership training.

“As part of our efforts to provide comprehensive educational opportunities and networking to minority coaches, the academy allows our participants to build upon their on-field experiences with the off-field information necessary as they advance,” Reed-Francois said. “In the end, as in many professions, relationships and advocacy matter. The academy will hopefully foster lifelong relationships between coaches and decision-makers.”