COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Greg Gard of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts to a play against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Xfinity Center on February 13, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Wisconsin Men’s basketball interim coach Greg Gard, who took over the team in December, has been officially hired as permanent coach by UW-Madison athletic director Barry Alvarez, accepting a five year deal.
Gard, 45 took over for longtime coach Bo Ryan after Ryan retired after 14 years with the school following a 64-49 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on December 15. Ryan said he wanted to retire before the season began but waited after Gard’s father Glenn was diagnosed with cancer.
Once Gard’s father passed away, Ryan and Alvarez decided that the time between semesters would be the best time to hand Gard the reigns to a Badgers team coming off back-to-back Final Four appearances, including an appearance in last year’s championship. Wisconsin was also adjusting to life without first round picks Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky, the 2015 Wooden Award Winner.
After a slow 2-4 start to his interim campaign that included going 1-4 against Big Ten teams, Wisconsin went on a seven game winning streak that included victories over Michigan State, Maryland, and Indiana. The Badgers also beat then No. 8 Iowa on the road and look to be a good bet to make the NCAA Tournament for the 15th consecutive year.
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