Bo Ryan Headshot
Report a problem with this profile
[email protected]

Bo Ryan    

Former College Basketball Coach & Author

Bo Ryan, a former college men's basketball coach, enjoyed an extensive and successful career in the sport. His coaching journey began in 1972 at Brookhaven Junior High School, later moving to Dominican College of Racine and Sun Valley High School before joining the University of Wisconsin–Madison as an assistant coach. His significant achievements on the collegiate level include winning four NCAA Division III tournaments, three Big Ten tournaments, and being named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times. Ryan was also inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

As the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team from 2001 to 2015, Ryan led the team to several milestones. Under his guidance, the team won the Big Ten regular-season title and received an invitation to the NCAA tournament in his first season, achieved their first outright Big Ten regular-season title in 56 years, and made a "Sweet Sixteen" appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the 2002-03 season. Ryan notched his most wins ever in Big Ten play in a season in 2008 and became the winningest coach in school history on March 9, 2012. His tenure culminated in his first Division I Final Four with the Badgers in the 2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

Ryan's coaching career also includes successful stints at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, where he guided the Pioneers to eight conference titles and nine straight NCAA Division III playoff appearances. The Bo Ryan Court at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville was named in his honor.

Ryan has authored three books: "Bo Ryan: Another Hill to Climb," "The Swing Offense," and "Passing and Catching: the Lost Art." These books offer insights into his coaching philosophy and techniques, further highlighting his expertise in the field.

Related Speakers View all


More like Bo