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It was a surprise when Bo Ryan announced his retirement, effective immediately, after the Wisconsin Badgers' 64-49 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday night. Greg Gard will now assume the interim head coach moniker for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.
Ryan won 364 games and seven Big Ten Conference titles as the Badgers' head coach, with his teams reaching the NCAA tournament 14 times -- the last two being back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Many current and former players from basketball and beyond reacted to the news of his retirement, praising the legend who elevated the men's basketball program to new -- and previously unimaginable -- heights:
So many great memories. #Badgers #ThanksBo https://t.co/5n0h6NSp6e
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) December 16, 2015
For all you've done for the #Badgers and everything you've done for the state of Wisconsin, congrats on retirement pic.twitter.com/Bosz1YYidJ
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) December 16, 2015
This is tough to watch..Thank you Coach Ryan for molding me into a young man. Wish I could argue with you one more time. All love to Pops!!
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) December 16, 2015
9 years ago Bo Ryan made a recruiting visit to my house and that day I committed to the… https://t.co/KybUgaKXLF
— Jon Leuer (@JLeu30) December 16, 2015
#ThanksBo for everything https://t.co/Xs1zi20fxH
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) December 16, 2015
It was an honor coach #ThanksBo
— Ben Brust (@BenBrust) December 16, 2015
Coach Ryan, it has been a privilege to to be associated with you. So glad I've been able to associate with you and your family. #Badgers
— Jonathan Brust (@JonathanBrust) December 16, 2015
Exceptional coach but even a better man. Thanks for everything over the years Coach Ryan. Enjoy retirement you deserve it.
— Devin Harris (@Dev34Harris) December 16, 2015
Coach thanks for all that you have done for me and @UWMadison. @BadgerMBB is in good hands. Coach Gard will do great things.
— Brian Butch (@Brian_Butch) December 16, 2015
BREAKING NEWS: Coach Bo Ryan will formally announce his candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Election tomorrow #Badgers #BoKnows #ThanksBo
— Zach Bohannon (@ZBohannon) December 16, 2015
It's been an honor. Thanks Coach, for everything.
— Zak Showalter (@ZShowbball333) December 16, 2015
One and a half years ago, Coach Ryan gave me the only thing a man can ask for: an opportunity. And for that, I'm forever grateful #ThanksBo
— Matt Ferris (@Ferris_matt) December 16, 2015
As a kid growing up in Wisconsin, I always dreamed of playing for this university. Thank you,… https://t.co/RXy0kkhhlG
— Aaron Moesch (@moeschpotato5) December 16, 2015
Bo Ryan was simply the GOAT to ever coach @ WISCONSIN! Thanks 4 all the special moments in Badger country.
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 16, 2015
Wish Bo the best ! https://t.co/BKUL1oI65j
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 16, 2015
Bo Ryan win totals every season with @BadgerMBB: 36 30 23 26 25 24 20 31 30 19 25 25 24 19 Ridiculous run. He’ll make the Hall of Fame.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 16, 2015
Congrats to Bo Ryan on one heck of a career. Lots of admiration for the way he did things and always enjoyed talking with him. #ThanksBo
— Kelly Sheffield (@KellyPSheffield) December 16, 2015
747 wins later, including 364 at UW, the Bo Ryan era has come to an end with fittingly a win. Thanks Bo for all the memories & a great ride
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) December 16, 2015
Father/Son camp memories. #ThanksBo pic.twitter.com/WZF4qrI6RW
— Mike Mahnke (@uwpaguy) December 16, 2015
Kudos to Bo Ryan. Early college memory for me: His amusement at PSU hosting the Phillies' WS trophy for the UW game. pic.twitter.com/KIzKW1sg5w
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) December 16, 2015
Ryan had one McDonald's All-American in his 14 yrs in Madison (Brian Butch). In the same period, Duke had 30
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) December 16, 2015
Good luck, Bo. You were a great coach, a treat to watch on the sideline and a terrific soundbite. #pinballwizard https://t.co/K8sylVFYkr
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) December 16, 2015
Last year's Wisconsin team was the most fun I've had following a team, for any sport, ever. Sad to see this is the official end.
— Ian Kenyon (@IanKenyonNFL) December 16, 2015
What's incredible too about Ryan is that he's self-made - the man literally invented his own offense. Even wrote a book about it.
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) December 16, 2015
Most Successful Big 10 Coach =Knight Most Successful Recent Coach =Izzo Best Job Ever done at a School = Ryan If u know B10 History u get it
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) December 16, 2015
[Update, Dec. 16, 8:26 p.m. -- now including tweets from Jon Leuer, Frank Kaminsky, and Aaron Moesch]