Former UW assistant and current Pittsburgh head coach Paul Chryst is expected to be Wisconsin’s new football coach. Credit: Associated Press

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Madison — Although Wisconsin officials must wait until at least Wednesday to announce the hiring of a new football coach — expected to be former UW assistant and current Pittsburgh head coach Paul Chryst — potential assistants for the new staff are coming into focus.

According to two sources with knowledge of the UW and Pittsburgh programs:

Dave Aranda, in his second season as UW's defensive coordinator, is interested in remaining at UW.

Aranda on Friday received a strong endorsement from athletic director Barry Alvarez, who has been impressed with the ability of the defensive staff to replace the entire front seven from last season. Alvarez said several assistants have expressed interest in remaining at UW, though he declined to identify those coaches.

UW, which is preparing to face Auburn in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla., is fourth nationally in total defense (283.2 yards per game) and 13th nationally in scoring defense (20.0 points per game).

"Defensively," Alvarez said, "replacing basically your entire front seven and your statistics are some of the best in the country."

Although Chryst will make the call on staffing, the combination of Alvarez's endorsement and Aranda's interest appears to increase the chances he will remain at UW rather than join Gary Andersen at Oregon State.

UW also appears in position to rehire Joe Rudolph, who is Pittsburgh's assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/tight ends coach.

Rudolph served as UW's tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator from 2008-'11. He is considered a bright coach and an engaging recruiter.

Two factors could keep Rudolph at Pittsburgh, however.

Rudolph is a native of Belle Vernon, Pa., and he left UW with Chryst after the 2011 season in part to return home.

Also, Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson could offer Rudolph the head coaching job. Pederson has declined to discuss potential candidates to replace Chryst.