Wisconsin Basketball HC Greg Gard Reaches Significant Career Milestone

Greg Gard took over the head coaching duties of the Wisconsin basketball program on an interim basis during the 2015-16 season after Bo Ryan announced his retirement and never looked back. 

Since then, he’s led the Wisconsin Badgers to an overall record of 179-97 (.649), twice won Big Ten Coach of the Year, and led the program to two regular-season conference titles. It’s tough to follow a Hall-of-Famer like Coach Ryan, but he’s done a tremendous job filling those shoes. 

With the 61-59 win over Minnesota on Tuesday night, Coach Gard achieved an impressive career milestone. This win marked his 100th victory in Big Ten conference play, making him the sixth-fastest head coach in league history to reach this significant achievement. 

The only Big Ten coaches to do it faster were: 

• Bob Knight (Indiana) – 100-35 (.741)
• Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) – 100-40 (.714)
• Thad Matta (Ohio State) – 100-41 (.709)
• Tom Izzo (Michigan State) – 100-43 (.699)
• Gene Keady (Purdue) – 100-44 (.694)

Greg Gard reached 100 Big Ten wins in 162 total games with @BadgerMBB

He’s the sixth-fastest coach to reach the century mark over the last 50 years pic.twitter.com/o20vepEb0l

— brandon harrison (@brandonharrison) January 24, 2024

“I’ve had a lot of really good players and a great staff; that’s how you get to this place,” Gard said of his achievement after the game.

Wisconsin Basketball Program in Good Hands Under Greg Gard

Wisconsin basketball head coach Greg Gard became just the fourth Badgers coach and 23rd coach in Big Ten history to reach 100 conference wins. His winning percentage (61.7%) among other Big Ten coaches to earn 100 league wins places him at 11th all-time.

Not getting off that easy, Coach…

Congrats on 100 career Big Ten wins! pic.twitter.com/wZpCwcMQOv

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) January 24, 2024

I’ll never fully understand why Coach Gard is such a polarizing figure among the Wisconsin Badgers fanbase. Still, he’s established himself as one of the elite coaches in the Big Ten—and once again has the program in position to compete for another regular season title.

Some people may never fully appreciate what UW has with Coach Gard regarding stability and consistent success in one of the toughest leagues in college basketball. He’s a damn good coach, and I’ll never understand why anyone in the fan base wouldn’t root for him to succeed.

We all want the same thing — for Wisconsin basketball to win games.

Either way, tip of the cap to the pride of Cobb, Wisconsin. The Badgers basketball team is in good hands moving forward.

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