MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Barry Alvarez is enjoying his balancing act with the Wisconsin Badgers.

The school's athletic director has returned from a seven-year absence on the sidelines to coach Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 against No. 8 Stanford.

Alvarez stepped in after his hand-picked successor - Bret Bielema - accepted the head coaching job at Arkansas. Wisconsin's seniors asked Alvarez to lead them in their final game.

Alvarez says he thinks he is close to finding a replacement for Bielema. An official announcement could come sometime this week.

Wisconsin has won the Rose Bowl three times, all under Alvarez. The Badgers have lost each of the last two Rose Bowls.