Wisconsin Makes Decision On Basketball Coach's Fate

A decision is in on Wisconsin Badgers basketball coach Greg Gard.

Fans are in a state of open revolt against Gard following another incredibly disappointing season that ended with the Badgers getting humiliated by James Madison in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Wisconsin last went to the Sweet 16 in 2017. Donald Trump had just become President. That's how long ago it was. Since then, the Badgers have routinely disappointed in the postseason under Gard.

Despite calls to fire him, Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh - who isn't afraid to send anyone packing - had made the call to keep Gard for at least one more year.

Wisconsin won't fire Greg Gard.

"I think Greg puts us in the best position to be successful into the future. I think Greg has a great understanding of what’s needed in the continued evaluation of our program to get there. It’s a program that’s been evolving with the times that we live in, and I’m excited about some of the things that he and I talked about for the future and the evolution of our program," McIntosh told Jim Polzin about the decision to keep Gard.

He further told Polzin, "Everyone understands what the expectation is at Wisconsin: It’s championship-level basketball. That’s what we’re striving for, and that’s what we’re working toward."

Translation: He's sticking around, but Gard can expect his seat to be hot. Why? Because the Badgers are simply not playing championship-level basketball, and everyone knows it.

That's what McIntosh is now going on the record stating.

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard won't be fired. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Money also won't be an issue at all if the Badgers do decide to fire Gard. His buyout if he's fired after next season is $12 million, drops to $8 million in 2025-26 and then $4 million in 2027, according to the same report. That's pennies for a program like Wisconsin.

However, Gard faces another huge problem, and it's the talent bleeding out of the roster. Connor Essegian is transferring, highly-touted recruit Gus Yalden is in the portal and AJ Storr has entered the draft. He'll enter next season fighting for his job with holes to fill.

We'll see if Gard can get the job done, but there's no question fans have had enough. He better figure how to get things rolling or get ready to be fired. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.