Photo by: David Stluka
The Voice: Looking back, looking ahead
December 21, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Memories of Ryan era, excitement for Greg Gard
MADISON, Wis. -- Having had a decent view of several coaching changes with the Badgers, it might be safe to say there is no such thing as perfect timing.
At the very least, finding a perfect time for a transition seems next to impossible. Here, or anywhere else.
When Barry Alvarez announced he would coach a final season, he also named Bret Bielema to replace him. As the head football coach and athletic director, Alvarez's move seemed to make sense. At least in the moment. However, University of Wisconsin policy does not allow for such a process. Additionally, there was tension with much of the coaching staff all season, as assistants and their families faced an uncertain future.
Fortunately, Bielema kept the football program in order, and the Badgers enjoyed a very successful run on his watch.
On Nov. 30, 2000, the day after his Badgers defeated Maryland in an overtime thriller at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Dick Bennett announced his retirement, effective immediately. Starting with the fourth game of the season, Brad Soderberg ran the show. Under the circumstances, he ran it well. As a matter of fact, Soderberg led Wisconsin to a better Big Ten record (9-7) than Bennett's Final Four team produced the previous season (8-8).
Unfortunately, from this observer's seat, Soderberg's group simply ran out of gas and became the victim of an upset that helps define March Madness. The 50-49 loss to Georgia State was the Badgers' fourth setback in their final five games.
In March of 2001, athletic director Pat Richter made a tough call and decided there would be a change at the top of the basketball program. In some corners, emotions were on edge, but Richter did what he thought was best. As they say, the rest is history.
And now, there is transition at an imperfect time.
In the last 14-plus years, Badgers fans have enjoyed a run of success few would have dared to dream. Players at this school became really good at cutting down nets and collecting trophies.
In addition to the championships and the back-to-back Final Fours, there are so many other moments that are fun to talk about. Which is exactly what Bo Ryan did for a portion of his final radio show the night before last week's game with Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
In 2002, the Badgers won at Indiana for the first time since 1977.
On January 5, 2005, Zach Morley was red hot from the 3-point line, helping the Badgers defeat Purdue in West Lafayette for the first time since the Nixon Administration.
The former coach also talked about some of those big shots in the closing seconds -- the Badgers have had several with that clutch gene, right? Players such as Traevon Jackson, Kam Taylor, Freddie Owens, Alando Tucker, Brian Butch and Trevon Hughes, to name a few.
In the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion (the practice facility), there are large banners with action photos of the current men's and women's basketball players. Last week on Ryan's show, he remembered and chuckled at how young Jon Leuer looked as a freshman. He then recalled how good Leuer became as a Badger, and how well he is playing in the NBA.
It was much the same type of conversation regarding Devin Harris, who should be on anyone's short list of greatest players in school history.
There are so many more memories, from lights-out performances on the floor to corny jokes on the buses and planes.
That is how I choose to look at the last 14-plus years.
And now we move on.
It is exciting to see Greg Gard get his opportunity. Anyone near the program, and more importantly, those who are in the program, have talked about Gard's value to the Badgers. It is priceless. Scouting reports, recruiting, player development, scheduling and summer camps -- those are just a few of the areas where the Interim Head Coach excels.
Gard will tell you he has learned so much from Ryan. At the same time, Gard knows he has to be his own man, and he has to coach the team his way.
Fans have asked 'What will be different?' The beauty for us -- and perhaps a strategic advantage for Gard – is very few of us know.
Perhaps there is no perfect time for transition, but as Alvarez says, "Embrace change." Greg Gard has the makeup to do just that. So does his excellent staff. I would like to believe the players do as well.
I hope all Badgers fans can appreciate the past success on the basketball court. At the same time, it is our turn to embrace change.
At the very least, finding a perfect time for a transition seems next to impossible. Here, or anywhere else.
When Barry Alvarez announced he would coach a final season, he also named Bret Bielema to replace him. As the head football coach and athletic director, Alvarez's move seemed to make sense. At least in the moment. However, University of Wisconsin policy does not allow for such a process. Additionally, there was tension with much of the coaching staff all season, as assistants and their families faced an uncertain future.
Fortunately, Bielema kept the football program in order, and the Badgers enjoyed a very successful run on his watch.
On Nov. 30, 2000, the day after his Badgers defeated Maryland in an overtime thriller at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Dick Bennett announced his retirement, effective immediately. Starting with the fourth game of the season, Brad Soderberg ran the show. Under the circumstances, he ran it well. As a matter of fact, Soderberg led Wisconsin to a better Big Ten record (9-7) than Bennett's Final Four team produced the previous season (8-8).
Unfortunately, from this observer's seat, Soderberg's group simply ran out of gas and became the victim of an upset that helps define March Madness. The 50-49 loss to Georgia State was the Badgers' fourth setback in their final five games.
In March of 2001, athletic director Pat Richter made a tough call and decided there would be a change at the top of the basketball program. In some corners, emotions were on edge, but Richter did what he thought was best. As they say, the rest is history.
And now, there is transition at an imperfect time.
In the last 14-plus years, Badgers fans have enjoyed a run of success few would have dared to dream. Players at this school became really good at cutting down nets and collecting trophies.
In addition to the championships and the back-to-back Final Fours, there are so many other moments that are fun to talk about. Which is exactly what Bo Ryan did for a portion of his final radio show the night before last week's game with Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
In 2002, the Badgers won at Indiana for the first time since 1977.
On January 5, 2005, Zach Morley was red hot from the 3-point line, helping the Badgers defeat Purdue in West Lafayette for the first time since the Nixon Administration.
The former coach also talked about some of those big shots in the closing seconds -- the Badgers have had several with that clutch gene, right? Players such as Traevon Jackson, Kam Taylor, Freddie Owens, Alando Tucker, Brian Butch and Trevon Hughes, to name a few.
In the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion (the practice facility), there are large banners with action photos of the current men's and women's basketball players. Last week on Ryan's show, he remembered and chuckled at how young Jon Leuer looked as a freshman. He then recalled how good Leuer became as a Badger, and how well he is playing in the NBA.
It was much the same type of conversation regarding Devin Harris, who should be on anyone's short list of greatest players in school history.
There are so many more memories, from lights-out performances on the floor to corny jokes on the buses and planes.
That is how I choose to look at the last 14-plus years.
And now we move on.
It is exciting to see Greg Gard get his opportunity. Anyone near the program, and more importantly, those who are in the program, have talked about Gard's value to the Badgers. It is priceless. Scouting reports, recruiting, player development, scheduling and summer camps -- those are just a few of the areas where the Interim Head Coach excels.
Gard will tell you he has learned so much from Ryan. At the same time, Gard knows he has to be his own man, and he has to coach the team his way.
Fans have asked 'What will be different?' The beauty for us -- and perhaps a strategic advantage for Gard – is very few of us know.
Perhaps there is no perfect time for transition, but as Alvarez says, "Embrace change." Greg Gard has the makeup to do just that. So does his excellent staff. I would like to believe the players do as well.
I hope all Badgers fans can appreciate the past success on the basketball court. At the same time, it is our turn to embrace change.
Players Mentioned
G
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