Earlier today, legendary Wisconsin Head Basketball Coach Bo Ryan announced that he would retire from coaching following the 2015-2016 season. As when any huge news drops, twitter immediately exploded, garnering opinions from players, reporters, and fans alike.
Read also: Greg Gard Right Man to Replace Bo Ryan
At one point during the day, “Bo Ryan” was the most trending topic on twitter. Most of the feedback was very positive and congratulatory. Here are the best tweets reacting to the Bo Ryan announcement.
From the School
Statement from #Badgers head coach Bo Ryan pic.twitter.com/pVSeO5eATC
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) June 29, 2015
#CheersToBo pic.twitter.com/MCnDtC4vef
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) June 29, 2015
Among D1 coaches in 700-win club, Bo Ryan's win pct (.765) trails only Rupp, R. Williams, Tarkanian, D. Smith & Krzyzewski. #CheersToBo
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) June 29, 2015
One more to go. #CheersToBo pic.twitter.com/isSp63iA2E
— UW–Madison (@UWMadison) June 29, 2015
Hats off to you, Coach. https://t.co/Bsoz67dgCW
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) June 29, 2015
Add a stick tap to that. https://t.co/70hH5GiYGY
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) June 29, 2015
From the National Media
Wow, Wisconsin releases statement from Bo Ryan saying he's coaching one more season and then hopes longtime assistant Greg Gard takes over.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) June 29, 2015
Bo Ryan is the Sinatra of CBB. He does it his way. Even in announcing his retirement. On his own terms.
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) June 29, 2015
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan will retire after next season. Ryan is 357-125 in his 14 seasons with the Badgers. pic.twitter.com/LzLn1SUfea
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 29, 2015
Wisconsin has been to NCAA Tournament 21 times in school history, and Bo Ryan has accounted for 14 of those appearances
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 29, 2015
One source close to program told ESPN that he feels like Bo Ryan decided to coach one more season due to loyalty to Nigel & Bronson Koenig.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 29, 2015
From His Former Players and Coaches
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) June 30, 2015
I know, I know. It hurts to call Frank a “former player.” But this was really touching.
Honor to play in a great era for UW for such a great teacher. He left his mark on all of us as people and players. #CheersToBo @BadgerMBB
— Jordan Taylor (@JMTaylor11) June 29, 2015
It was an honor playing for Coach Ryan. He's turned @BadgerMBB into a championship program. Enjoy this last ride #CheersToBo
— Ben Brust (@BenBrust) June 29, 2015
Thank you Coach Ryan. The game will truly miss you. pic.twitter.com/NVoAkgPfEm
— Freddie Owens (@FreddieOwens) June 30, 2015
Coach Ryan gave me a chance that very few get. Eternally grateful for the experience, life lessons & doors he's opened for me. #CheersToBo
— Dan Fahey (@DanFahey10) June 30, 2015
Coach Ryan has meant so much to not only @BadgerMBB but to CBB as a whole! Thank you for everything you've done Coach! #OneMoreYear
— Howard Moore (@Howard_Moore) June 30, 2015
On Greg Gard
Over the years, #Badgers Greg Gard has kept a binder full of notes ranging from plays to tips on how he wants to run a program. He’s ready.
— Zack Miller (@miller_zack) June 29, 2015
Bo Ryan is a system coach. He knows who he is and how he wins. He evaluates and recruits to his system. Badgers need to stay in house.
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) June 29, 2015
Former #Badgers G Jordan Taylor on Greg Gard: "I think he is just as important of a coach to the program as Coach Ryan has been."
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) June 29, 2015
Really happy for Bo Ryan..deserves to go out when he wants..hope UW takes his advice hires Greg Gard..fantastic coach/recruiter
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) June 29, 2015
Brian Butch raves about how associate head coach Greg Gard is ready to replace Bo #Ryan as #Badgers coach.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) June 29, 2015
And here's hoping Greg Gard will be selected as the new coach at Wisconsin, sooner rather than later for recruiting purposes.
— Mark Miller (@WisBBYearbook) June 29, 2015
For the record, UW associate HC Greg Gard should replace Bo hands down. Outstanding recruiter & with x's and o's. Would be smooth transition
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) June 29, 2015
The Best of the Rest
This from Bo’s daughter poking fun at the false reports of Bo retiring due to health issues.
In case you didn’t get it, that’s a reference to the popular “death, taxes, Bo Ryan” tweets after every win.
Somewhere out there...Barry Alvarez is quietly preparing to be the next head basketball coach at Wisconsin.
— Blake Eddins (@BlakeEddins) June 29, 2015
#BoRyan great coach, better person. His win totals only scratch the surface to what he's meant to hoops. Bag retirement and give us 40 more!
— Dane Fife (@CoachDaneFife) June 30, 2015
^Michigan State assistant coach Dane Fife.
Just contributed to a roundtable on @B5Q about Bo Ryan's career at Wisconsin. I love that man more than I love most of my friends. #Badgers
— Basketball, no specific team, Fan (@drewhamm5) June 30, 2015
Who's happier, Tom Crean or Arizona fans?
— Badger Sports Talk (@BadgerSports1) June 29, 2015
Huge congrats to Bo Ryan on a great career with the best yet ahead. Incredible coach & even better man. All the best to you Bo! #OnWisconsin
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) June 29, 2015
The good news is Tom Crean now only has one more year of being embarrassed by Bo Ryan #iubb #firetomcrean
— Fire Tom Crean (@firetomcreannow) June 29, 2015
This from Wisconsin governor and presidential candidate Scott Walker.
Bo Ryan is an amazing coach and an outstanding person. We are blessed to have his leadership and wish him the best in his final season.
— Governor Walker (@GovWalker) June 29, 2015
And the dumbest tweet from a media member…