It didn't take long for Greg Gard to fill the vacancy on his bench left by Gary Close.
Monday, Wisconsin announced the hiring of former Badger standout Joe Krabbenhoft as an assistant coach.
"I'm really excited to welcome Joe back to our staff. In terms of what I was looking for, he fits every criteria," Gard said in a release through the university. "Having known him since his sophomore year of high school, this is the third time I've recruited him – as a player, video coordinator and now assistant coach. He checks all the boxes in terms of knowledge of the program, mind for the game, work ethic that's second to none, experience as an assistant at South Dakota State and how well connected he is in areas that we want to stay active.
"He coaches how he plays. I've never been around a more fierce competitor than Joe and his toughness, personality and the fearlessness with which he played will be a great asset to our players. I believe there is strong value in having former Badgers on our staff. He has walked in their shoes, sat in that locker room, studied in those classrooms and won championships. He is a tremendous addition to our program."
Krabbenhoft, a member of Wisconsin's team under Bo Ryan from 2005-2009, spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at South Dakota State. Prior to that, the Sioux Falls, S.D., native served as UW's video coordinator during the 2012-13 season.
"I am absolutely thrilled and thankful for the opportunity to return to Wisconsin," Krabbenhoft said in the same release. "It really is a dream come true for me and my family. I've had conversations with Coach Gard about becoming a coach ever since my playing days. I've watched him work as a player, as a staff member and from afar now that he has become a head coach and I've always been impressed with him.
"I have so many great memories from Madison and UW and it's an honor to be a part of the program that I played for and to be a part of something so special. It's also extremely exciting to be a part of a new chapter under Coach Gard. I think the future is so bright for the Badgers and I can't wait to get started."
According to the release, Krabbenhoft appeared in 136 career games and made 70 starts for the Badgers, leading UW to a record of 100-36 and four NCAA tournament appearances. He earned All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors in 2006 and a place on the All-Big Ten Defensive Team in 2008, when Wisconsin won both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. As a senior captain in 2009, Krabbenhoft capped his career in Madison with honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and was a recipient of the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor Award.
