Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan announced his retirement Tuesday, effective immediately, following the team’s win against Texas A&M-CC. Assistant Greg Gard will fill Ryan’s place as interim coach.
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Ryan, a 2015 Naismith Hall of Fame finalist, led the Badgers to Final Four appearances the last two seasons. Wisconsin fell to Duke in the 2015 national championship game.
Ryan finishes his coaching career with a 364-130 record at Wisconsin, and a 747-233 record overall spanning time Division III and NAIA as well. He won four Big Ten titles and never finished lower than fourth place in the conference.
“When a coach the magnitude of Bo steps down, it’s a sad day,” athletics director Barry Alvarez said live on Big Ten Network. “But it’s a day to celebrate his accomplishments.”
In 14-plus seasons, Ryan completely transformed Wisconsin’s status in the college basketball world. Under nine coaches prior to Ryan in the NCAA Tournament era, the Badgers made seven NCAA Tournaments. Ryan’s teams reached the Big Dance in all 14 of his complete seasons.
Prior to arriving at Wisconsin, Ryan had dominant success at NAIA/D-III Wisconsin-Platteville. The Pioneers won four national titles in a nine-year stretch under Ryan.
Wisconsin’s first game under Gard will be Dec. 23 against Green Bay. The Badgers, ranked No. 40 in KenPom, are struggling at 7-5 with home losses to Milwaukee and Western Illinois.
