Why did Jack Coan leave Wisconsin?

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan started 18 games for the Wisconsin Badgers with a 12-6 record. So why did he transfer away?

The transfer portal creates all sorts of fun new storylines. In 2021, some of the biggest involve comparing quarterbacks who left one school for another.

Some fanbases regret letting a passer get away. Is Wisconsin one of them?

Jack Coan, the former Badgers quarterback, is now at Notre Dame. How did he end up there?

Jack Coan transfer: Why did the quarterback leave Wisconsin?

Coan won Wisconsin’s starting quarterback job in 2019 after making four starts in 2018. He led them to a 10-4 record including a trip to the Rose Bowl to face Oregon.

While Coan had a strong overall season, throwing for 2,727 yards and 18 touchdowns, he also had his worst outings in the biggest games against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game and the Ducks in the Rose Bowl.

He would have had the opportunity to make up for that with an improved 2020 season. However, disaster struck when he had a non-contact foot injury during fall camp. After surgery, he missed the rest of the season.

Graham Mertz, a highly-touted recruit who represented the future of the program, replaced Coan and won over the Badgers with an outstanding debut.

Essentially, Coan got Wally Pipped. While no one wants to see a guy lose a job to injury, it happens. Once Mertz took over, it was over for Coan and Wisconsin.

Coan saw the writing on the wall and opted to use his final season of eligibility somewhere he could take over as a regular starter. Notre Dame was the place.

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