Deadspin has provided an article outlining Bo Ryan’s private life in recent years.
We won’t touch on those details, as you can read above.
What’s important here is that this is a private matter, not a public one. If this woman was part of the Wisconsin program, which it was determined she wasn’t, this would be a bigger issue. If Ryan spent money on her in recruiting events, it would be a problem, but the university determined that didn’t happen, as he was acquitted of any wrongdoing.
It’s worth noting then that Ryan didn’t step down because of this affair, which he made clear in a statement you’ll find below. He claims he made the decision to help out Greg Gard, which appears to be the right move. Ryan would’ve retired before the season, but Gard’s father was very sick.
I’ve gotten a lot of tips that Ryan has settled things with his wife Kelly, but had a falling out with his son, Will, who is an assistant coach at Ohio University. At this point though, everyone has reconciled, and Ryan is enjoying retirement.
Those tips and assumptions were backed up by Ryan’s statement to ESPN’s Andy Katz.
“My wife Kelly and I believed that the University’s findings concluded this matter,” Ryan said in the statement. “To be clear, this matter was absolutely unrelated to my retirement many months later. In fact, I timed my retirement intentionally to assure that Greg Gard got his hard-earned opportunity to coach the University of Wisconsin basketball team.
“I had a relationship with a woman who had no connection to the University of Wisconsin,” he said. “That relationship ended nearly 1 ½ years ago. I revealed this issue openly to the University, and encouraged them to review any activity to assure them that no University resources were misused.”
Ryan also issued this statement to the Wisconsin State Journal, which includes some of the same information.
“I made a mistake in my private life and have taken responsibility for my actions. I had a relationship with a woman who had no connection to the University of Wisconsin. That relationship ended nearly 1½ years ago.
“I revealed this issue openly to the University, and encouraged them to review any activity to assure them that no University resources were misused. My wife Kelly and I believed that the University’s findings concluded this matter.
“To be clear, this matter was absolutely unrelated to my retirement many months later. In fact, I timed my retirement intentionally to assure that Greg Gard got his hard-earned opportunity to coach the University of Wisconsin basketball team.
“I am a lucky man. Through Kelly’s strength and understanding we have gotten through this difficult situation together. Throughout my career I have worked to help others. Now I am in the position of receiving help from Kelly who has taught me a lot about forgiveness.
“Our focus is on moving forward in a relationship that is stronger than ever.”
The bottom line is that a man made a mistake. Even if it was a long-term affair, this has nothing to do with the University of Wisconsin-Madison men’s basketball program. I’m not sure how this will impact Ryan’s legacy, but so many admired athletes, coaches, and legends have had issues like this off the court.
Let’s keep it off the court.