On Tuesday afternoon, Wisconsin director of athletics Barry Alvarez officially introduced as the 16th head coach in Wisconsin basketball history.
Joined by family members from across Wisconsin, former coaches, current players, managers, and assistant coaches, and even Wisconsin football head coach Paul Chryst, The UW band was there as well as the dance team, making it into quite the event.
Gard spoke with love for the state of Wisconsin, his players, and his loved ones.
“This is an extremely special moment for me,” Gard said as he addressed the over 100 people in attendance. “But I think just special for the state of Wisconsin from the standpoint of being one of their own that’s been able to trek through their career at various stops around the state.”
It had been exactly 12 weeks since Bo Ryan retired and Gard was named interim head coach, and what a journey it had been. Starting his tenure as head coach 1-4, Gard has led the Badgers to an 11-2 record since.
“I can’t imagine it was easy at all,” junior guard Zak Showalter explained, “but he did a great job at showing he wasn’t stressed out at all.”
Gard led the team through a transition that involved changing the locker room culture and re-instituting the swing offense. The team needed to reevaluate the meaning of wearing the Wisconsin uniform. Players needed to start buying in. Most importantly, the Badgers needed a leader to lead the charge.
Gard was that man.
“He’s been doing this at Wisconsin for 15 years,” junior forward Nigel Hayes said after the announcement. “He’s more than deserving.”
Once Alvarez, who gave Gard an A+ in his evaluation, and his administration realized Gard was the right guy, Wisconsin expedited the process by posting the job, interviewing multiple candidates, and inking Gard to a five-year deal. Gard’s contract is worth $1.75 million in the first year, and will go up $50,000 per year.
“We know who the right man for the job is,” Alvarez said of the decision. “The timing is right.”
Wisconsin will play the winner of Nebraska and Rutgers at approximately 8:00 PM CT on Thursday night.