Wisconsin basketball head coach job ranks poorly but the reason is painfully obvious

Wisconsin basketball is the model of consistency in college basketball, fielding a strong team nearly every single season. But despite making the NCAA Tournament 22 times since the year 2000, boasting some of the best facilities, and an overall highly successful program, coaches don't seem to think that the head coach job is all that great.

Based on a recent survey of anonymous coaches by The Field of 68, Wisconsin ranks at the 10th most desirable job in the Big Ten. Michigan, Indiana, and Michigan State were the top overall jobs, while Northwestern, Rutgers, and Penn State rounded out the bottom.

Wisconsin job ranks low in latest poll of college coaches

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Wisconsin's rank, despite all their success under Greg Gard and Bo Ryan, is due to their perceived NIL budget. While the actual numbers are unknown, it's fair to assume the Badgers aren't in the top five or maybe even ten of the Big Ten. Wisconsin has been able to win regardless of that fact, but it's clear that coaches value the money more than any other resources provided to them these days.

Since taking over for Wisconsin, Gard has posted a career-record of 227-122 (.650), and has constantly kept the Badgers in the top half of the conference. While other programs like Oregon or Ohio State have seen much less consistency, coaches still see them as better opportunities than Wisconsin.

So what does Wisconsin need to do to be a more desirable coaching destination? Honestly, nothing. Wisconsin's mentality of 'win with what you have' has served them well. But if they ever move on from Gard, it will be more like Michigan, apparently.

“Location, tradition, massive NIL budget and Jordan Brand," said an anonymous coach in the poll. "They have the most money and the strongest overall brand in the league.”