The most expected and obvious choice for Wisconsin in its head coaching search will become official Wednesday: Paul Chryst has been hired to lead the Badgers.

A news conference has been set for 7 p.m. ET in which the school will introduce the Madison, Wis., native and former Pittsburgh coach as the replacement for Gary Andersen, a source confirmed to SI.com. Chryst went 19-19 in three seasons at Pitt after serving as Wisconsin's offensive coordinator from 2005 to ’11.

Chryst's hire takes direct aim at infusing the program with stability.

Wisconsin will be on its third head coach in four years, as Bret Bielema left for Arkansas in Dec. 2012 and Andersen spent two years with the Badgers before bolting to Oregon State earlier this month. The issues behind their departures -- reportedly salaries of assistants and admissions standards, respectively -- won't be any surprise to Chryst, 49, who comes in with eyes wide open to what Wisconsin football can and cannot do.

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez will coach the team in the Outback Bowl against Auburn on Jan. 1.