THE SIDELINES : Ex-Football Coach Jardine Dies

Former Wisconsin football Coach John Jardine, who underwent a heart transplant last year, died this morning of heart failure.

Jardine, 53, who coached the Badgers from 1970 to 1977, was admitted to University of Wisconsin Hospital on Wednesday after complaining of shortness of breath, hospital spokeswoman Lisa Brunette said.

Jardine’s doctor determined that he was in heart failure, but said it wasn’t a rejection of his transplanted heart, Brunette said. Jardine had a heart transplant last June 16 at the hospital after it was determined he suffered from cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle. He had been on a waiting list for a donor heart since December, 1988.

An autopsy will be performed, the hospital announced.