On Bo Ryan: Heroes get remembered but legends never die
So the fairytale ending did not happen. Last year Coach Ryan was a few possessions away from winning a national title and riding off into the sunset a champion. Unfortunately, real life is pretty cruel and the ol' ball coach was left with a decision to either stay or go. As I write this, we all know what happened.
For Coach to have retired at this point in the season is strange, and there are several personal, political and altruistic reasons for the odd and sudden retirement. There has been much speculation about the reasons behind it since it has now been almost two weeks since Coach Ryan retired but that is not what this article is about.
After hearing the news, I was asked to do a couple of radio interviews and write this article. The radio interviews were easy and I thought writing this article would be easy as well. When I finally sat down and placed my fingers on the keyboard, I had some mixed emotions and did not know where to start. I began reading all the outpourings from former players who thanked Coach for everything he had done for them, and how they appreciated the opportunities he gave them. The sentiments expressed felt as if they were that of love, praise and compassion, which as a player was something that was seldom received from Coach. My side of the story is a bit different.
To question Coach Ryan's passion for the teaching the game of basketball would be nothing short of criminal. He is a basketball junkie in the truest sense of the word and has been since his days back in Chester, Pa., the greatest town in America depending on who you ask (wink-wink). His passion for teaching should never be questioned since he has been doing this since he was no longer able to continue playing. (Despite his beliefs, he did not fit the profile for a pro basketball player, even back in his day with short legs and short arms, sorry Coach.)
I will carry the memory of several tongue-lashings, his incredible attention to detail and his ability to teach the most basic skills at the highest level. I have had several coaches in my life, and I can say that Coach Ryan is a masterful teacher of college basketball. His ability to coach and teach players how not to turn the ball over, always play within the system and his demand that you play defense is unmatched in today's college game. His coaching style allows for the greatest chance of success year in and year out, no matter his team's talent level.
As a unit, we were always prepared for everything the other team was about to do. Our practices were the same for four years and you knew exactly what his expectations were when you stepped in between the lines. As a player, you understood what was tolerated and what would force him to take you out of the game. He used the bench as a tool like Catholic nuns used a ruler for anyone who broke away from the accepted. This can be difficult to handle for young players who desperately want to make plays, and get their career started as soon as their toes hit the hardwood, but eventually you learn or get splinters on your backside from riding the pine.
Media members and people on the outside consider Coach Ryan a player's coach, and honestly I never understood why. Personally, the man helped me shape my basketball career and helped me succeed while competing against the best teams and players in the country during my career. But outside of basketball, I never had many meaningful conversations. We rarely had genuine human-to-human interaction. I always felt the interactions were linear, teacher to student, master to apprentice, with almost no reciprocation. I never really knew who he was as a person; just that he loves the game of basketball, has a dry sense of humor and has thousands of random facts that will make an appearance at the most unexpected times.
Coach Ryan approached his profession as a teacher and mentor of the game. He always stayed true to his style of coaching, what he believed worked best for him and the players he brought into the program. His coaching style and personality were not always easy to deal with and I, at times, entertained thoughts of quitting or transferring. I was not the only player to feel that way. There were plenty of times when I was extremely frustrated, but I knew deep down Coach was trying to make me a better player and person. He made it very clear that you were not going to be friends, but you were there to learn and you will respect him. That is one thing that never wavered, was the respect I have for him as a Coach.
In all honesty, when I committed to play for the University of Wisconsin, I did not commit because of Coach Ryan. I came for the amazing university that makes those who attended swell with pride. I came to be a part of a winning tradition, to play in the Big Ten Conference and hopefully get paid to play after my college career. That is exactly what I got when I stepped on campus.
Looking back, the winning tradition and Coach Ryan go hand-in-hand, as before he arrived things were not even close to the way they are now. He helped me ingrain myself within the Sconnie culture, and gave me a platform to extend my days of bouncing a ball around the world for money.
The torch is now being passed to a man who has been under the tutelage of Bo Ryan since about the time I started using pullup big boy pants. Greg Gard has his hands quite full moving forward as the head coach. I have read in the past few days several articles about getting to know who is the next face of the Wisconsin men's basketball program. I had one-year experience with Coach Gard as my main coach. The role as an assistant coach is much different.
For those unaware, only the players who are regulars in the rotation spend time with Coach Ryan during the season. The assistants, in preparation for the upcoming opponent, handle the scout team. This was how we practiced every day for four years. The whole staff put game plans together, but it was always one of the assistants who put in the major legwork of watching the video and putting together the scouting report to present to the team. This is where Coach Gard was a master, and he knew teams better then they knew themselves. Out of all our assistants, I felt the most prepared for any game when Coach Gard had the scout.
His game plans were masterful and his work ethic should not and will not ever be questioned, as much of his work is behind the scenes and will never be seen or mentioned. He was a solid recruiter and was great at selling a product as good as the University of Wisconsin. The university, tradition and people all speak for themselves, and he made sure to highlight everything that made myself, and many others sign on the dotted line.
As the head man, I do not know how Coach Gard will do the rest of the way. He has the youngest team in the program's last 20 years, and is fighting an uphill battle both on and off the court with so many younglings and so few veterans to lead. I know that he will do everything in his power to give the people of Wisconsin the best possible team he can put on the court night in and night out and he will never stop teaching win or lose.
Whatever happens with this team and with Coach Gard at the end of the season only one thing needs to be made very clear. Over the past 15 years, Wisconsin basketball has had unparalleled success both on and off the court in the college basketball scene. Wisconsin became an elite program at the turn of the century and that is because of Bo Ryan. For 14 straight years Badger Nation has been able to cheer, as the Badgers appear again and again on Selection Sunday. This consistent success is rare in today's world and I will be surprised if it will ever be replicated in the college game.
Some of Coach Ryan's players loved him, some of his players didn't, but one thing remained a constant, everyone believed in him and in each other. Coach Ryan believed that a group was stronger then an individual. He made a bunch of kids believe in one another, and if they gave their best effort and were open to learning, success would not be far behind, which is true both on and off the court. I had the privilege of being one of those kids and I would like to thank him for the opportunity, learning how to work hard and what being a great teammate is all about.
Whether you are a fan of his or despised the man, it really doesn't matter because he is one of the best to ever put on the whistle. He is a coach. He is a legend. And his legacy will live on.
