Wisconsin Fires Both Assistant Coaches

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez may have decided to keep head coach Mike Eaves, but it was obvious that some changes would have to be made with the Wisconsin program after a disastrous four-win season.

Those changes came today, as Andy Baggott of the Wisconsin State Journal reports that both assistant coaches under Eaves have been fired:

#Badgers coach Mike Eaves confirms he's fired assistants Gary Shuchuk and Matt Walsh.

— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggotWSJ) April 8, 2015

Shuchuk found himself steeped in controversy late in the season when he was quoted calling UW supporters "idiot fans" for "caring about wins and losses."

Walsh was hired mid-season in late-2012 on an interim basis as a replacement for Bill Butters, who abruptly quit his position that November. The interim tag was eventually taken off Walsh after that season.

It's unfortunate to see two people lose their job. But it was painstakingly obvious that some sort of change needed to be made in Madison after the dreadful level of talent the Badgers had this season, and the subsequent results that came along with it. The Badgers struggles on the recruiting trail have been well-documented in the world of college hockey, and it's no surprise to see the brunt of that blame falling on the assistant coaches.