Gary Andersen is leaving Wisconsin after two years to coach Oregon State, both schools announced Wednesday.
Andersen will replace Mike Riley, who left Oregon State last week to coach the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Andersen is expected to be introduced Friday.
Andersen was 19-7 in two seasons at Wisconsin. His team won the Big Ten West Division this season and lost 59-0 to Ohio State in the conference title game last weekend.
The Badgers will play in the Outback Bowl against Auburn on Jan. 1.
Before coming to Wisconsin, Andersen had spent his coaching career in Utah, spending 11 seasons as an assistant at Utah and leading both Southern Utah and Utah State.
Andersen left Utah State after four years to replace Bret Bielema, who was hired by Arkansas a few days after Wisconsin beat Nebraska 70-31 in the 2012 Big Ten title game.
The Beavers went 5-7 this season under Riley, who was hired by Nebraska on Dec. 5 to replace Bo Pelini.
Anderson, 50, informed Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez of his departure Wednesday morning, and the coach told his players in a team meeting in the afternoon.
“I began working to find a new head coach as soon as I spoke with Gary this morning,” Alvarez said in a statement released by the school. “My first concern is taking care of the players on the current team, especially the senior class, and ensuring their bowl experience is a memorable one. I will find a new head coach to uphold the great tradition at Wisconsin, someone who is committed to excellence both on and off the field.
“I want to thank Gary for his two years here and commend him on the way his team performed on the field, in the classroom and in the community. I wish him the best at Oregon State.”
In the statement, Andersen thanked Alvarez and his staff, saying, “We worked very hard together and accomplished some great things. I had the opportunity to coach some great young men and I look forward to watching them as they continue their careers and move through life.”