Coach Will Ryan has added former Badgers Brandon Pitzel and Freddie Owens to the UW-Green Bay men’s basketball coaching staff. State news has covered the hires.
Sources:
Former Redbird Pritzl to join UW-Green Bay coaching staff | NBC 26
Swimming and diving teams earn Scholar All-American honors
The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has selected the Green Bay men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for Scholar All-American honors. Green Bay was one of 461 schools to receive the award for the Spring semester. Teams were selected on the basis of their Spring grade point averages and represent 17,982 student-athletes.
UW-Green Bay student tees it up with Tony Romo at Ray Fischer Amateur Championship | WiscNews
UW-Green Bay student Zak Kulka had a unique golfing experience on Sunday, June 28.
“You’ve got a really nice swing,” Kulka’s playing partner told him after they turned in their scorecards.
That playing partner was none other than Tony Romo, the former All-Pro quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys who is currently CBS Sports’ lead NFL broadcast analyst.
“That’s pretty fun to hear,” said Kulka, who is coming off his freshman year on the UW-Green Bay men’s golf team. “But I just think of him as a regular guy — try to. Try not to get in my own head at all.
Coach Will Ryan’s father, Bo Ryan, inducted into UW Athletic Hall of Fame | Wisconsin Badgers
Bo Ryan’s favorite buzz word has always been “NEXT.”
Its genesis can be traced to a playground court with steel nets on 8th and Pennell Streets in his hometown of Chester, Pennsylvania. To the hardcore local ballers, it was known as “The Cage.”
If you were on the winning side during the pickup games, the losers walked, and you’d stay on the court and offer the challenge “Who’s got next?” Make the last shot and it was simply ‘Next.’
Will Ryan surely can relate to how his dad’s system worked as a player and assistant. That knowledge gleaned from first-hand experience — on the Platteville and UW-Milwaukee rosters and the Badger staff — should bode well for Ryan, 41, who was recently named the UW-Green Bay head coach.
Source: 2020 UW Athletic Hall of Fame: Bo Ryan | Wisconsin Badgers
UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus Buccaneer’s receive athletic awards online | Peshtigo Times
The 2019-20 Buccaneer’s Athletic Awards Banquet for the UW-Green Bay-Marinette Campus moved to an online presentation this year due to the events of Covid-19. “Our campus is extremely proud of our student athletes on and off the court. They are dedicated individuals who understand what it truly means to be a student and also an athlete,” stated CEO, Cindy Bailey. “We are fortunate to have outstanding coaches who demonstrate and encourage dedication and balance to our student athletes in and out of the classroom.”
Source: Peshtigo Times Wisconsin Community Newspaper | Peshtigo Times
UW-Green Bay hiring of Will Ryan as head coach is big news in region
The Green Bay men’s basketball program will hire Will Ryan as its next head coach! Ryan, who is the oldest son of well-known College Basketball Hall of Famer and former University of Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan, arrives in Titletown after one highly successful season at Wheeling University in West Virginia. In just his first season as the leader of the Cardinals, he took a team picked last in its conference to a fifth-place finish, all after taking over the program in July and with only five players on the current roster at that time.
Source: Green Bay Names Will Ryan Head Men’s Basketball Coach | WBAY
More news coverage on the hire:
BREAKING: UW-Green Bay hires Will Ryan as head coach | WFRV
Green Bay Names Will Ryan Head Men’s Basketball Coach | The Score
UW-Green Bay men’s basketball program names Will Ryan head coach | The Big 920
UW-Green Bay hires Will Ryan, son of ex-Badgers coach Bo Ryan | WPR
Will Ryan named the new men’s basketball coach at UWGB | WIXX
A new era begins for UW-Green Bay men’s basketball | WFRV
UW-Green Bay Signs Will Ryan To Coach Phoenix Basketball | Seehafer News
New Phoenix coach Will Ryan has supporters, including Dad | WBAY
Green Bay names Will Ryan Head Men’s Basketball Coach
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie has named Will Ryan the eighth head men’s basketball coach in Phoenix program history. Ryan and the University have reached an agreement in principle, with the details of the final contract still being worked out.
“What a great day for UW-Green Bay and Green Bay men’s basketball,” said Guthrie. “Hiring leaders is about getting the right fit at the right time and I have no doubt that Coach Ryan is exactly the right person to lead our program today and into the future. Will’s overall body of work as a collegiate coach has been remarkable and I believe that experience will serve us tremendously well as he embarks on his tenure at GB. We look forward to having Will, Emily, Owen, Liam and Callen join our family and the Green Bay community.”
Ryan, who is the oldest son of well-known College Basketball Hall of Famer and former University of Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan, arrives in Titletown after one highly successful season at Wheeling University in West Virginia. In just his first season as the leader of the Cardinals, he took a team picked last in their conference to a fifth-place finish, all after taking over the program in July and with only five players on the current roster at that time.
“We are thrilled to have Will Ryan be the next coach to lead our men’s basketball program. His passion for the game and our community is evident,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander. “We clearly have the right coach at the right time for UW-Green Bay and I am excited to see what he accomplishes here.”
“I am beyond excited to be the next head coach of the Green Bay Phoenix men’s basketball program. It’s an honor and a privilege to come back to my home state of Wisconsin and join a great University,” said Ryan. “I look forward to building a program with a group of hard-working student-athletes who are proud to represent Green Bay.”
Ryan, a Platteville-native who won two national championships as a player for the Pioneers while his father was head coach, has over 15 combined years as a Division I assistant. Prior to his year at Wheeling, Ryan was the head assistant coach at Ohio University and an assistant coach at North Dakota State University. While with the Bobcats, Ryan helped coach 14 All-Conference players and a pair of second-place finishes. His tenure with the Bison was even better, where he helped lead NDSU to two NCAA Tournaments and a memorable upset win over No. 5 seed Oklahoma in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
In his seven seasons in Fargo, Ryan helped the team advance to four postseason tournaments, tutor two Summit League Player of the Years and a program-record 26 wins in 2013-14. Ryan coached under Saul Phillips while at NDSU and Ohio, the current head coach at Northern State University in Minnesota.
Ryan spent five seasons with the Badgers as a Video Coordinator and as the Director of Basketball Operations, joining the program in 2002-03 as a volunteer assistant. He also served as head coach for the Wisconsin Swing AAU team in 2005.
Ryan graduated from UW-Milwaukee in December 2002 with a Bachelor’s degree in educational studies and youth leadership. He played for Bruce Pearl, the current head coach at Auburn University, during his senior season.
Will and his wife, Emily, have three sons, Owen, Liam and Callen.
“I want to thank Chancellor Michael Alexander and Athletic Director Charles Guthrie for this amazing opportunity. Their passion for the University is infectious. I’m excited to join the proud Phoenix family,” said Ryan.
Ryan’s first official game as head coach of the Phoenix will come on Nov. 10 at Oklahoma State, with his first home game coming on Saturday, Nov. 14 against Montana State.
Details on an official introduction, press conference and community welcome will be announced in the coming days with plans for those events taking place this week.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT COACH RYAN
Bo Ryan, Father and Hall of Fame member, former Wisconsin HC:
“Kelly and I are proud of Will and his accomplishments in coaching and teaching. We wish Will and the team all the best as they embark on this new and exciting chapter.”
Greg Gard, current HC at Wisconsin:
“Will Ryan is a coaching natural. I’ve literally watched him grow up over the last 30 years from being a ball boy at UW-Platteville games, to coaching him as a player at Platteville High School and with the Pioneers, to the start of his coaching career with us at Wisconsin. You could tell early he was so at ease on the floor as a player and in his initial coaching roles. He saw, thought, and understood the game in a way that was way beyond his years. His knowledge of the game is exceptional, and combined with his level-headed demeanor and ability to communicate with today’s student-athlete, he’s a great fit for UW-Green Bay. I’m really happy for Will, Emily, and their three boys to return to their Wisconsin roots and be closer to their friends and family.”
Gene Taylor, AD at Kansas State, former AD at NDSU:
“Congratulations to Will and I’m very happy for Will, Emily and their family. He has worked extremely hard to get this opportunity and it is well deserved. Will is a tremendous person that will treat his athletes very well and will be successful.”
Saul Phillips, former HC at Ohio and North Dakota State, current HC at Northern State:
“Will has a great basketball mind. He is incredible at identifying and developing talent. He’ll be a great fit in the community.”
Rob Jeter, current HC at Western Illinois, former AC under Bo Ryan at Wisconsin and Milwaukee:
“Coach Ryan and his family have had such a positive impact on my life and so many others. Will now has an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Butch and his father Bo leading and developing young men. Coaching is in his blood and his future is bright! What a blessing to have that opportunity in Wisconsin!!!”
WILL RYAN COACHING HISTORY
2019-20: Head Coach, Wheeling University
2014-19: Head Assistant Coach, Ohio University
2007-14: Assistant Coach, North Dakota State University
2002-07: Director of Basketball Operations and Video Coordinator, University of Wisconsin
UW-Green Bay basketball player Anna Dier still making an impression
For her lip sync battle video, Anna Dier had dozens of people involved for her rendition of “Lean on Me.” It was a tribute to all the frontline and essential workers helping during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more via Her basketball career over, UWGB’s Anna Dier still making an impression | Green Bay Press Gazette and UWGB Women’s Basketball Team Bringing People Closer Together | Spectrum News 1
UW-Green Bay and Phoenix Men’s Basketball Head Coach Linc Darner Decide to Part Ways
Statement to media:
UW-Green Bay and Phoenix Men’s Basketball Head Coach Linc Darner Decide to Part Ways
Green Bay, Wis.—University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander confirmed today, Monday, May 18, 2020, that the University and men’s basketball coach Linc Darner have decided to part ways.
Darner completes his head coaching career for the Phoenix with a 92-80 overall record in five seasons. He most notably led the Phoenix back to the NCAA Tournament in his first season, 2015-16, snapping a 20-year program drought after his team captured the Horizon League Tournament Championship. Darner led GB to a 51-39 record in league play during that time, finishing in the top four of the standing in four of his five seasons.
“I would like to thank former Chancellor Gary Miller and former Athletic Director Mary Ellen Gillespie for giving me the opportunity to coach at Green Bay,” said Darner. “I would like to thank my staff, recruits and all current and former players who helped us make the NCAA Tournament, taking GB the furthest ever in the postseason to the CIT Finals and having the most up-tempo offense in the country. Most importantly, I’m proud to have graduated my players at an extremely high rate including two perfect APR scores which was never done before at GB. I cannot wait to advance my career as a head basketball coach and am looking forward to new opportunities.”
Chancellor Alexander said he wishes nothing but the best for Coach Darner.
“We appreciate the leadership of Coach Darner and his focus on coaching and mentoring the outstanding student-athletes that have been part of this program during his tenure as head coach. We are a Division I University and remain committed to continuing the legacy of our outstanding Division I athletics program in the future.”
Darner coached eight individuals who garnered Horizon All-League honors (Carrington Love and Jordan Fouse in 2016; Charles Cooper and Kenneth Lowe in 2017; Khalil Small in 2018; Sandy Cohen III in 2019 and JayQuan McCloud and Amari Davis in 2020, with Davis becoming the first freshman in program history to be named Horizon League Freshman of the Year.) Four of those players earned First Team All-League honors.
“We sincerely thank Coach Darner for his service and strong commitment to our student-athletes here at UW-Green Bay and to the Green Bay community over the past five years,” said GB Athletics Director Charles Guthrie. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Guthrie says a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
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LeClaire begins coaching career at SNC – The Press
DE PERE – After a successful career playing basketball at Notre Dame Academy, UW-Green Bay (UWGB) and overseas, Allie LeClaire is back home. The 2014 Notre Dame graduate recently accepted an assistant coaching position with the women’s program at St. Norbert College under head coach Amanda Leonhard-Perry, who is a former player and assistant at UWGB. After graduating from Notre Dame – where she is the Tritons’ all-time leading scorer with 1,536 points – LeClaire played at UWGB from 2014-18. Her 1,489 career points at the school rank seventh all-time.