MADISON, Wis. - University of Wisconsin senior quarterback Jack Coan has entered the NCAA transfer portal and will leave the program, his father, Mike, announced Sunday morning.
Expected to be the starter in 2020, Coan did not play this season after suffering a foot injury during fall camp and undergoing surgery at the beginning of the October.
“I want to thank Jack for all that he has meant to this team and program during his time as a Badger," UW coach Paul Chryst said in a statement. "He represented Wisconsin with class both on off the field. He is a tremendous person and we wish him all the best."
"Thank you Wisconsin for the greatest four years of my life," Coan said in a statement released by the school. "Being at Wisconsin has been the experience of a lifetime that I will cherish forever. Thank you to my teammates, coaches, athletic trainers, and support staff who have helped me in my time here. I have officially decided to enter the transfer portal. While this decision was not easy, I know it's the right one for my family and I.
"Thank you for everything Wisconsin! I'll love you forever!"
Winning the starting job entering the 2019 season, Coan started all 14 games for the Badgers, helping lead the program back to a Big Ten championship game and a berth in the Rose Bowl for the first time in seven years. Averaging nearly 195 passing yards per game, Coan threw for 18 touchdowns against five interceptions and added another four scores on the ground. His 2,727 passing yards in 2019 was the third most in a UW single season.
Coan suited up for UW's final three games of the season but never played. In his place, redshirt freshman Graham Mertz - the highest-rated recruit in program history - led UW to a 3-3 record, completing 60.8 percent of his passes for 1,108 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
Despite the injury, Coan stayed a constant presence around the team and took to a mentorship role for Mertz throughout the season.
“I see him in there working every day in the training room,” Mertz said of Coan last month. “He’s pushing himself and I’m happy to see him recovering. His edge of working back to get healthy has been great.
"He’s always had the same work ethic. It’s not ‘Oh, I got injured now I have to work.’ He’s always had that work ethic and I think our group as a whole has always had that work ethic. I pumped to see him get back to healthy."
Wisconsin is expected to have four quarterbacks on the spring roster: Mertz, Chase Wolf, Danny Vanden Boom and walk-on Daniel Wright. Class of 2021 signee Deacon Hill will join the group this summer.
