Wisconsin Basketball: Report Says Greg Gard will be Offered Head Coaching Job

Report suggests Greg Gard will remain the head Wisconsin basketball coach

Grab your pen and prepare to cross out the word “interim” as a report suggests the Badgers are ready to offer Greg Gard the head Wisconsin basketball coaching position after he took over on an interim basis following Bo Ryan’s retirement.

If the report holds true, it seems the move is a no-brainer for Wisconsin, as Gard has worked wonders since his elevation to interim head coach back in December.

The Badgers were reeling from tough losses early in the season, and after a rough 1-4 start to the Big Ten slate, have completely rebounded. As of Wednesday night’s victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the Badgers secured their 15th-straight top-four Big Ten Conference finish, continuing the streak started by Bo Ryan in his first year as head coach.

According to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, multiple sources within the Wisconsin basketball program “agreed UW officials have been blown away by the work of Gard, who has compiled a record of 12-5 in the Big Ten and 13-5 overall since taking over in the wake of Bo Ryan’s retirement on Dec. 15.”

Wisconsin recently posted the job vacancy of the head coaching position per state law, and it appears the reasoning behind the timing is the university is ready to make their decision and remove Gard’s interim tag.

"“UW athletic director Barry Alvarez is required by state law to post the job for at least a week and interview a minimum of three candidates.Alvarez has said since Ryan announced his retirement 12 games into the season that he would conduct a national search.However, according to sources, Alvarez and other UW officials have been consistently impressed by Gard’s work during games, practices and in interacting with the public and believe they have the right coach to lead the team next season and beyond.”"

It would be a truly mind-blowing move if the Badgers went in any direction other than with Gard. It seems everyone is on board with Gard to this point, from the players to the university officials, and especially the fans.