When Dick Bennett left the UW basketball program just a half-year removed from a spot in the 2000 NCAA Final Four, many people in Madison feared the foundation he constructed would fall just as quickly as it was built.
Thankfully, interim coach Brad Soderberg was let go, and then-Athletic Director Pat Richter discovered what appeared to be a diamond in the rough, Bo Ryan.
Now in his 22nd season as a collegiate head coach, Ryan has put together a remarkable 473-139 career record and coached teams to winning records in his past 20 campaigns.
In his first 15 seasons at UW-Platteville, Ryan's resume included-Best winning percentage in Division III history (353-76, .822). The winningest coach of the 1990s (all divisions) with a 266-26 (.908) record. Four-time Division III National Champion (1991, '95, '98, '99).
With all those accomplishments, something doesn't add up.
How can a coach that has dominated the basketball world remain on a small scale for so long, and spend 15 years unnoticed?
Answer: Communication skills.
Unless Ryan was perfectly happy with his Division III position, one would have to believe his interviewing and communication skills may have kept him from crawling up the ranks of college basketball earlier.
Auditions for other teams must have taken place during those years, but his inability to speak fluidly may have cost him a handful of jobs before landing at UWM in 1999.
University officials do not just hire a man to coach basketball. They are in search of a name and face that represents their image effectively. A man like Ryan has the credentials to coach, but often struggles to connect with those listening to his voice.
A Bo Ryan press conference can catch the audience off guard. He has an intimidating, harsh personality mixed with dry humor and a vast knowledge of basketball.
These qualities paired with a stubbornness in answering certain questions leaves a level uncertainty for those in attendance.
It isn't difficult to notice Ryan's unique demeanor, especially at a place where King Barry Alvarez resides.
If there was one person that was born to be in front of the camera, it is Alvarez. His bronze skin in the dead of winter and perfectly articulated, preplanned responses are beautiful. His words are just what university officials want to hear, as he represents both this team and school extremely well through his verbal discourse.
Barry has turned the press conference into an art form, and has perfected media relations. Very simple, very bland, and for Alvarez and UW, very effective.
While Alvarez is known for his predictability, you never know what Ryan will choose to share.
Often he will venture off on a tangent. A question about the progress of freshman guard Michael Flowers during his first year can lead to a tale on how his 1976 high school squad was the first Sun Valley High team to qualify for the Philadelphia state tournament.
Ryan also has the potential to have those listening hang on his every word. After a win against Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament this last weekend in Chicago, Ryan addressed a media filled room about the passing of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber's mother.
Rather than addressing the media with a calculated response written by athletic communications, Ryan spoke from heart and let his feelings pour freely, leaving me and the rest of the room hanging on his every word. His connection with the issue at hand was apparent as the tears in his eyes expressed his genuine passion and concern for the game and his peers.
It goes without question that Ryan is more comfortable teaching the game to his 15 players than he is explaining wins and losses to the media. It may have taken him longer to get here, but for as long as I stay on campus, I'll take a win over a quote any day.
Jon is a junior majoing in English and journalism. He can be reached at jrmcnamara@wisc.edu.
