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Wisconsin Basketball: Badgers Hire Joe Krabbenhoft as Assistant Coach

By Jim Oxley

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard looks on from in front of the bench during the first half of the second round against the Xavier Musketeers in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard looks on from in front of the bench during the first half of the second round against the Xavier Musketeers in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Wisconsin Badgers have Joe Krabbenhoft back on the bench

A Badgers great is back on the team, as the Wisconsin basketball team has brought Joe Krabbenhoft back aboard, hiring the former player as an assistant coach.

The move was announced Monday by Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program, as the team welcomes the return of a former player and video coordinator.

Wisconsin was in need of a new assistant coach after Gary Close, who had been an assistant for the Badgers for 13 years, stepped down following the 2015-16 season.

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To fill the void, Gard and the Badgers turn to another proven Wisconsin player. Gard is certainly familiar with Krabbenhoft, having recruited him to play for Wisconsin and coached him in an assistant’s capacity for the entirety of his playing career at Wisconsin.

Krabbenhoft also spent time as a video coordinator for the Badgers during the 2012-2013 season.

Gard said in a statement Monday that he was happy to have a guy like Krabbenhoft back on the team.

"“I’m really excited to welcome Joe back to our staff. In terms of what I was looking for, he fits every criteria.”"

"“Having known him since his sophomore year of high school, this is the third time I’ve recruited him — as a player, video coordinator and now assistant coach. He checks all the boxes in terms of knowledge of the program, mind for the game, work ethic that’s second to none, experience as an assistant at South Dakota State and how well connected he is in areas that we want to stay active.”"

As Gard noted, Krabbenhoft’s most recent coaching gig was as an assistant coach for South Dakota State from 2013-2016.

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Krabbenhoft, who played for the Wisconsin basketball team from 2005-2009, is the only player in Badgers history to have at least 750 rebounds and 250 assists. He played in 136 games for Wisconsin, starting 70, and helped Wisconsin to 100 wins over that span.

His career stats were indicative of the type of player he was – a scrappy rebounder and selfless offensive player who wasn’t afraid to get dirty. He played in the same vein as former Badgers Mike Bruesewitz, Josh Gasser and current Badgers player Zak Showalter.

Gard said Krabbenhoft’s playing style paved the way for his coaching profession.

"“He coaches how he plays. I’ve never been around a more fierce competitor than Joe and his toughness, personality and the fearlessness with which he played will be a great asset to our players."

"“I believe there is strong value in having former Badgers on our staff. He has walked in their shoes, sat in that locker room, studied in those classrooms and won championships. He is a tremendous addition to our program.”"

Krabbenhoft has professional basketball experience under his belt in addition to his college playing career and college coaching experience. Krabbenhoft played in the NBA D-League for the Sioux Falls Sky Force in 2009-2010 before playing in Korean, Italian and Greek leagues from 2010-2012.

His job as the Wisconsin basketball team’s video coordinator in 2012-2013 was his first job in the college coaching ranks.

Next: Badgers 2015-16 Run was Ahead of Schedule

After his stint at South Dakota State, Krabbenhoft is back on the Badgers squad, and Wisconsin welcomes back one of their own.

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