A 2015 Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year finalist, the basketball hall of fame credentials of Bo Ryan span well beyond the 15 seasons during which he was at the helm of the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball program. Ryan elevated the UW program to heights previously unseen in Madison, guiding the Badgers to back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2014 and 2015, including the national championship game in 2015, which marked UW’s first since 1941.
Compiling over 740 wins, 19 championships and countless conference and national coach of the year accolades, there is little doubt that Ryan is among the greatest coaches in college basketball history.
Ryan was in his 32nd season as a head coach in 2015-16 before he announced his retirement during the season on Dec. 15, 2015.
When reflecting on his time atop the Wisconsin program, it is difficult to decide which is more impressive, his incredible longevity or his unparalleled success. It is, however, safe to say that the combination of the two is what elevated Ryan among college basketball’s elite.
Author of the most wins in UW annals (364), Ryan became the 34th NCAA coach to reach the 700-win plateau and before retiring in 2015 was one of only nine active Division I coaches to reach that hallowed ground. Ryan’s .717 (172-68) win percentage in Big Ten games is the best mark in Big Ten history, surpassing legendary Indiana coach Bob Knight (353-151, .700). Among NCAA Division I coaches in the 700-win club, Ryan's win percentage trails only Adolph Rupp, Roy Williams, Jerry Tarkanian, Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski.
In his final game coaching the Badgers, Ryan earned his 747th career coaching win and surpassed the legendary Phog Allen of Kansas on the NCAA ledger. Ryan finished his career 26th on the NCAA’s all-time wins list with a record of 747-233 (.762).
Ryan's Honors
2002 Big Ten Coach of the Year
2003 Big Ten Coach of the Year
2003 NABC District 11 Coach of the Year
2004 NABC Guardian of the Game
2007 Clair Bee National Coach of the Year
2007 Adolph Rupp Cup National Coach of the Year
2008 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year
2008 NABC District 11 Coach of the Year
2009 NABC Outstanding Service Award
2013 Big Ten Coach of the Year
2013 Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award
2015 Big Ten Coach of the Year (coaches)
4-time NABC Div. III National Coach of the Year
6-time WIAC Coach of the Year
Players in the NBA
Brian Butch - Denver Nuggets
Sam Dekker - Houston Rockets
Devin Harris - Mavericks/Nets/Jazz/Hawks/Mavericks
Duje Dukan - Sacramento Kings
Frank Kaminsky - Charlotte Hornets
Marcus Landry - Knicks/Celtics
Jon Leuer - Bucks/Cavs/Grizzlies/Suns
Kirk Penney - Heat/Clippers
Greg Stiemsma - Celtics/Timberwolves/Pelicans/Raptors
Alando Tucker - Suns/Timberwolves
Post-Season Play
2015 NCAA Div. I National Runner-Up
2014 NCAA Div. I Final Four
2013 NCAA Div. I Second Round
2012 NCAA Div. I Sweet 16
2011 NCAA Div. I Sweet 16
2010 NCAA Div. I Second Round
2009 NCAA Div. I Second Round
2008 NCAA Div. I Sweet 16
2007 NCAA Div. I Second Round
2006 NCAA Div. I First Round
2005 NCAA Div. I Elite Eight
2004 NCAA Div. I Second Round
2003 NCAA Div. I Sweet 16
2002 NCAA Div. I Second Round
1999 NCAA Div. III National Champion
1998 NCAA Div. III National Champion
1997 NCAA Div. III Second Round
1996 NCAA Div. III Second Round
1995 NCAA Div. III National Champion
1994 NCAA Div. III Sweet 16
1993 NCAA Div. III Quarterfinals
1992 NCAA Div. III Third Place
1991 NCAA Div. III National Champion
1990 NAIA Third Round
1989 NAIA Third Round
1988 NAIA Third Round
1986 NAIA First Round
Individual Awards
• 6 AP All-American Honorees
• 23 All-Big Ten Honorees
• 3 Big Ten MVPs
• 2 Big Ten Sixth-Man of the Year
• 3 Big Ten Tournament MOPs
• 9 Big Ten All-Defensive Team Honorees
• 12 All-Big Ten Tournament Honorees
Academic Awards
• 48 Academic All-Big Ten Honor
A member of five Halls of Fame, Ryan has been enshrined into the Wilkes College Athletic Hall of Fame (2003), the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (2008), the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (2011), the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2011) and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (2012).
WINNING AT WISCONSIN
Ryan retired in 2015 after coaching the first 12 games of what was his 15th season as head coach at Wisconsin. While at the helm in Madison, Ryan unquestionably established himself and the program among the most prestigious in college basketball.