Gary Andersen to Oregon State: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

Gary Andersen is headed back west. 

After a successful two-year stint with Wisconsin, the 50-year-old Utah native has accepted the vacant position at Oregon State.      

The school's official athletics Twitter feed confirmed the news Wednesday:

Wisconsin released a statement shortly after the news broke, including comments from athletic director Barry Alvarez and chancellor Rebecca Blank:

Alvarez, via Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman, talked about the search for a new head coach, noting that the players have asked him to coach against No. 19 Auburn in the Outback Bowl Jan. 1 in Tampa, Florida:

Alvarez decided to heed the players' wishes, as Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN reported on Thursday:

Andersen attended the University of Utah and spent time as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator with the Utes. Following a stretch as head coach of Utah State, he took over the Badgers job shortly after the 2012 campaign. 

In two seasons in Madison, he compiled a 19-7 record with a loss to South Carolina in last year's Capital One Bowl. Under his watch, the Badgers finished sixth in the nation in scoring defense in 2013 and 13th in 2014.

As such, his decision to leave comes as a bit of a shock. Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon and defensive end Chikwe Obasih (among many other Badgers players) took to Twitter to express their disbelief and disappointment:

While it's unfortunate for Wisconsin, which met a similar fate just two years ago when Bret Bielema unexpectedly darted for Arkansas, it's a huge hire for the Beavers. 

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah put it simply:

"

Gary Andersen to Oregon State? Wow!! That’s a huge get for the Beavers. Physical style will challenge speed of Oregon. Great hire!

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) December 10, 2014"

Oregon State finished 5-7 this season under Mike Riley, and while there have been some solid seasons in Corvallis in recent years, the Beavers have had a difficult time breaking through into the Pac-12's upper tier. 

This hire, however, is a terrific step in the right direction.