The Sports Xchange
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is backing away from plans announced in June to retire at the end of the 2015-16 season.
“Everybody kind of thinks they know when they’re ready to retire; I’m not totally sure,” Ryan said Wednesday at a golf tournament. “(Wisconsin athletic direct) Barry (Alvarez) said I could change my mind at any time. I haven’t submitted any papers yet. I haven’t submitted anything. ... So I might stay for another four or five.”
Ryan said he made the statement in June because he was not comfortable guaranteeing recruits he would be in Madison four more years.
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The 67-year-old Ryan, who is coming off back-to-back Final Four appearances, said he considered retiring after the Badgers lost in the national championship game to Duke. Alvarez told him to take some time to think about it.
“Back in the spring, in the days after the national championship game, Barry Alvarez and I discussed the possibility of me retiring,” Ryan said in the June statement. “I’ve always been told that is not a decision to make right after a season is completed. Barry thankfully encouraged me to take some time to think about it and I have done that. I considered retiring this summer or coaching one more season.
“I’ve decided to coach one more season with the hope that my longtime assistant Greg Gard eventually becomes the head coach at Wisconsin.
“I am looking forward to another year with our program, including our players, my terrific assistant coaches, our office staff and everyone who supports Wisconsin basketball here in Madison, around the state and across the country.”
The Badgers knocked off the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats in the national semifinals before losing to Duke in the title game.
Ryan took at Wisconsin after Dick Bennett left in 2001. He is is 357-125 in his 14 seasons at Wisconsin.
Under Ryan, the Badgers secured 14 NCAA berths and advanced to the Sweet 16 seven times.
Prior to Wisconsin, Ryan spent two seasons at Milwaukee and was at Division III UW-Plattville for 15 seasons.
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Ryan, a native of Chester, Pa., has an overall coaching record of 740-228 in 31 seasons.
