Bo Pelini reportedly on Wisconsin’s list, which could mean 3-team coach swap

When the news broke on Wednesday night that Gary Andersen was leaving Wisconsin to take the Oregon State job, a frequent suggestion on the Internet was that Wisconsin should take a look at Bo Pelini. Well, regardless of whether those suggestions were in jest or not, the former Nebraska head coach is reportedly an option to take over in Madison, according to 247 Sports.

If Pelini were to take the Wisconsin job, it would put a neat bow on what essentially was a three-team coach trade. Nebraska got things started back on Nov. 30 by firing Pelini and hiring former long-time Oregon State coach Mike Riley in a surprise move. Not to be outdone, Oregon State went and hired Andersen away from Wisconsin, which leaves athletic director and former head coach Barry Alvarez -- who will be coaching the Badgers in their bowl game once again -- in the position of conducting yet another coaching search.

At this point, Pelini kind of has to take the Wisconsin job just for the sake of symmetry. Whether he would be a good fit or the best choice for the job is beside the point.