The Wisconsin basketball team has a new assistant coach
When Bo Ryan retired and Greg Gard was promoted to interim head coach, it opened up the assistant coaching position formerly held by Gard. The new interim coach brought back a familiar face as the next assistant coach, hiring former Wisconsin player and assistant Howard Moore.
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Moore, a former forward for the Badgers, played at Wisconsin from 1990-1995, playing in 45 games alongside guys like Michael Finley, Brian Kelley, Andy Kilbride, Rashard Griffith and Tracy Webster. Moore was on the 1994 squad that ended a 47-year run without a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
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Following his playing career, Moore spent a year (1989) as an assistant at the University of Chicago, was an assistant at Bradley University from 2000-2003, an assistant at Ball State from 2003-2004, and spent 2004-2005 as an assistant at Loyola. From there, he was hired back at his alma mater, Wisconsin, for an assistant coaching stint from 2005-2010.
During Moore’s tenure as an assistant coach, the Badgers made a Sweet Sixteen run and enjoyed a 31-win season. He is also partially responsible for recruiting Frank Kaminsky for the Wisconsin coaching staff.
Moore left Wisconsin for the head coaching job at the University of Illinois at Chicago, a position he held from 2010-2015. During his time ahead the UIC program, Moore amassed a 49-111 record, and brought his team to the CIT in 2013.
Moore was fired following the 2014-2015 season, and was working for the Big Ten Network as an analyst to start this basketball season.
Gard said Tuesday morning that he feels Moore is a perfect fit, a “home run” for the Wisconsin basketball program.
"“Given the timing and the situation, bringing in Howard is a home run for our program and players. To have the ability to bring in someone with his experience and knowledge of the way we do things is a perfect fit and win-win. He was a part of our championship team in 2008 and he has a passion for UW that is unparalleled. He loved his experience here and has a deep affection for this place and its people. We’re extremely fortunate to have someone like Howard available and eager to join our staff.”"
Moore, likewise, said he’s ready to get back into the coaching business, and where better than Wisconsin to do so.
"“I’m extremely excited to get back to Madison,” Moore said in a statement. “I’ve had a chance to get a breather and the best way to get re-energized is to go home again. I love my alma mater and I have a great passion for the University of Wisconsin.”"
The move makes perfect sense. In Moore, Wisconsin adds an experienced coach who has worked with both Bo Ryan and Greg Gard, and one whose ties to the university run deeper than his time as an assistant coach.
It's good to be home! pic.twitter.com/BQgjOk2LhC
— Howard Moore (@Howard_Moore) December 23, 2015
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