Bo Ryan Retiring Immediately

[Hawk_4shur]

Bo Ryan had the ability to coach and or recruit tremendous mental toughness. Wisky players consistently made big shots under pressure. And with a few exceptions, with less pure athletic ability than many of their opponents.

Iowa could learn a lot from this guy. Maybe he will do some consulting.

 

[HawkLogic]

I think Wisconsin's top choices will be as follows for replacements:

1) Tony Bennett
2) Ben Jacobson
3) Archie Miller - Dayton
4) Greg Gard - current interim coach

My question is, and it will be interesting to see is, how good of a job is Wisconsin? On one hand, it's a solid program with a good fanbase. However, you are replacing a legend at a place where it isn't exactly easy to recruit.

Hope Wisconsin doesn't get Bennett...seems like he is killing it as coach.

I would be surprised if Ben Jacobsen is up there, but just an opinion.

 

[ahawkfan91]

He mentioned Tom Davis.

The same Tom Davis?

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/s...ed-to-recruit-tom-davis-to-wisconsin-20151216

 

[Carlton]

I think this is a big fork in the road for Wisconsin basketball. Bo Ryan, despite my view of him personally, was a hell of a coach. He elevated that program to unprecedented heights. No doubt about it. That being said, winning that consistently is tough anywhere let alone in Madison. I do not believe the basketball program overall is quite as good as Bo has made it. In other words, I am not sure Wisky will be able to find a coach that fits that program and city any better than Bo did.

I do think Wisconsin will remain a solid and viable program going forward. However, I do expect and imagine there will be a bit of a dropoff starting with this year. I no longer believe NCAA tournaments and top four BIG finishes will be happening year after year for Bucky. I hope their fans fully realize how special these last 14 years were.

Reasonable analysis, ram. Few coaches in the country have or will ever ,match Bo's various winning percentages. So, if anything less is a "drop off, Wisconsin fans will need to adjust to it. Does this portend the return of Badger hoops to mediocrity? I don't think so.
I hope Gard works out. The ESPN article I have attached shows his roots in SW Wisconsin hoops, where Bo cut his teeth and prospered and, absent a total collapse, will get a pass this year. Bucky's depth has always been an issue and the unrelated "early" departures of Jared to Iowa and Sam to the NBA have obviously hurt this year's line up. Assuming the current players and recruits stick around (most recruited by Gard, Paris and Close), they will be just fine. If it doesn't, I am sure Barry or his successor would reach out to Tony. I don't think Tony would come right now, anyway. Ben would be a great candidate, but my sense is that he is not leaving CFs anytime soon. Obviously I don't agree with all your observations, but I thank you for your thoughtful analysis. You make a number of good points.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...y-audition-wisconsin-badgers-basketball-coach

 

[Carlton]

And OSU has had some downs, especially after some guys have headed early to the NBA. Yet, some people still think the B1G has been so strong the past several years. Laughable. It's basically been two consistent good teams in MSU and Wis, occasionally OSU, and then a bunch of mediocre teams fighting for runner up behind those 2/3 teams.

Everyone wants their team to win their ACC match up, followed by a B1G title and a nice run in the NCAA tournament. Nevertheless, I would have concerns about any program in our conference that produced those results every year. While a number of posters here and in America's Dairyland have disagreed with me, I think a strong, competitive conference from top to bottoms benefits every school.

 

[srams21]

Reasonable analysis, ram. Few coaches in the country have or will ever ,match Bo's various winning percentages. So, if anything less is a "drop off, Wisconsin fans will need to adjust to it. Does this portend the return of Badger hoops to mediocrity? I don't think so.
I hope Gard works out. The ESPN article I have attached shows his roots in SW Wisconsin hoops, where Bo cut his teeth and prospered andabsent a total collapse, will get a pass this year. Bucky's depth has always been an issue and the unrelated "early" departures of Jared to Iowa and Sam to the NBA have obviously hurt this year's line up. Assuming the current players and recruits stick around (most recruited by Gard and Close), they will be just fine. If it doesn't, I am sure Barry or his successor would reach out to Tony. I don't think Tony would come right now, anyway. Ben would be a great candidate, but my sense is that he is not leaving CFs anytime soon. Obviously I don't agree with all your observations, but I thank you for your thoughtful analysis. You make a number of good points.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...y-audition-wisconsin-badgers-basketball-coach

I hope you aren't mistaken my post for thinking Wisconsin will become a mediocre program. When I said I think Wisconsin will remain a solid and viable program I meant that they should stay on a similar level as they are now. To clarify, regardless of who they hire, I would be shocked if 14 years from now Bucky had made every tournament and had a top four BIG finish. That is an amazing accomplishment and one that I don't think will be repeated in the next 14 seasons for Wisconsin (or any other BIG program to be honest).

The year in and year out consistency of Bo's teams will not be duplicated by the next coach. If you disagree, fine.

 

[Ronman]

Jacobson would be a great fit for Wisconsin and would at least double his salary if he decided to take the job.

 

[Carlton]

I hope you aren't mistaken my post for thinking Wisconsin will become a mediocre program. When I said I think Wisconsin will remain a solid and viable program I meant that they should stay on a similar level as they are now. To clarify, regardless of who they hire, I would be shocked if 14 years from now Bucky had made every tournament and had a top four BIG finish. That is an amazing accomplishment and one that I don't think will be repeated in the next 14 seasons for Wisconsin (or any other BIG program to be honest).

The year in and year out consistency of Bo's teams will not be duplicated by the next coach. If you disagree, fine.

No, I haven't. Most likely a lazy and backhand effort on my part to address those who think it will.

 

[Carlton]

Jacobson would be a great fit for Wisconsin and would at least double his salary if he decided to take the job.

I agree. From everything I am hearing in the Cedar Valley, however, I don't think he would accept the position if offered at this time.

 

[hawkguy77]

You pretty much captured the reason I typed my last sentence. I expect Iowa to finish higher than Wisky this year. I honestly can't remember the last time that happened.

I think one of Alford's teams finished ahead of Wisconsin and then lost to Northwestern State in the tournament.

 

[starbrown]

I think one of Alford's teams finished ahead of Wisconsin and then lost to Northwestern State in the tournament.

Yes, it appears 05/06. Steve's best finish in 2nd place. It appears before that you have to go back to 1998/99 where Bennett and Davis finished in a tie. So just once in this century has Iowa been better in conference. Man I really hope this year is the second time. As a youngster I grew with an Iowa team that seemingly never finished behind them. It's been very hard watching Wisconsin BBall and FBall supplant Iowa in the B1G. Kirk seems to be turning that around. I hope Fran can as well.

 

[unIowa]

Jacobson would be a great fit for Wisconsin and would at least double his salary if he decided to take the job.

And I think he would do well but Bo will be a tough act to follow.

 

[And1Hawk]

I do not think Barry will be bringing in Tony Bennett due to salary demands only. Tony will want to be paid more than what he is at Virginia and Barry has never seemed to want to pay top dollar for new hires.

Jacobsen seems to be a great fit and this would be an ideal job for him if he wants a power 5 challenge. Not sure if he wants leave UNI though.

 

[AuroraHawk]

At the age of 67, Bo Ryan wanted to have a life outside
of basketball. He had made the Final Four the past two
years and wanted to go out on top. Who needs the
stress? He can enjoy vacations with his wife.

Your last note may prove to be a challenging undertaking. From some very reliable sources in Madison, there's a lot to this story that hasn't yet reached the surface. It wouldn't surprise me if it surfaces soon.

Always remember ... hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

 

[herkI]

The real story is that its almost xmas and he needs to concentrate on his other gig.

Great job, Jack.

 

[hooper56]

Your last note may prove to be a challenging undertaking. From some very reliable sources in Madison, there's a lot to this story that hasn't yet reached the surface. It wouldn't surprise me if it surfaces soon.

Always remember ... hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Please, sir. Tell what you know....

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Friend in Madison has shared a similar theme of 'more to come' on the Bo departure. Hard to believe the blogosphere isn't all over the rumors, which makes me a little suspect. If true, Bo left under much different circumstances than reported and won't be dining with Alvarez over the holidays. Also mentioned that Jacobson's name is being mentioned along with Hurley from ASU.

 

[Herkuleez]

Please, sir. Tell what you know....

In other words....

 

[AuroraHawk]

Actually ... the blogosphere and other less mainstream outlets have been heating up a bit on this.

My "contacts" in Madison have given me a fairly consistent story with the comments posted on a Deadspin article on Ryan's departure. If you read through all of the comments, you'll get the gist of things.

With the caveat that I have no first hand knowledge, I certainly wouldn't be betting any money that Mr and Mrs Ryan are riding off into the sunset hand-in-hand with smiles of contentment.