Gary Close to leave Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. - - Wisconsin assistant coach Gary Close will not return to the program next season, sources told BadgerBlitz.com on Tuesday night. The news was later confirmed by the school Wednesday morning.

Close has been an assistant coach for 29 seasons, including the last 13 at Wisconsin. Prior to his time at Wisconsin, Close was an assistant at Iowa and Stanford for 16 years.

"Earlier this week I informed Coach Gard that I have made the difficult decision to resign my position as assistant coach to pursue other opportunities," Close said in a statement through the university. "It was an honor and a privilege to have coached at the University of Wisconsin.

"Being an assistant coach at the Division I level is an increasingly demanding position. While I plan to keep basketball a part of my future plans, I do want my next professional stop to provide me with greater flexibility to spend more quality time with my wife and two growing children."

"Whatever we choose as our next chapter, it will be difficult to match the experiences we've had over the past 13 years. I want to thank Bo Ryan for giving me the opportunity to be part of this tremendous run here. I want to thank the other coaches and men's basketball staff, as well as the athletic department support staff, and especially all the loyal Badger fans who have been so supportive of me and my family over the years. This support is what makes the University of Wisconsin and Madison such a unique and special place.

"Finally and most importantly, I want to say thank you to all those terrific players whose hard work and dedication over the years has brought so much joy to me, my family and this community. From the All-Americans to the walk-ons, each and every one played an important part in the success of this program and to our lives. To have had the opportunity to help them in a small way, chase their dreams and achieve their goals, is an experience I will always treasure, one filled with moments that I can look back on with great satisfaction and pride.

"As our life takes a different course, we are looking forward to closely following Wisconsin athletics, especially the men's basketball team. They are a terrific group of young men with a very bright future. It should be an exciting 2016-17 season, one I know will receive the usual incredible support from the countless, devoted Badger fans across this great state and country."

Close, 59, was named one of the top 25 assistant coaches in the country by Rivals.com in 2007.

Sources tell BadgerBlitz.com that there were some disagreements between Close and newly-appointed head coach Greg Gard during the season, which made the possibility of a split this offseason all the more likely.

Wisconsin made it to the NCAA Tournament in each of Close's 13 seasons with the program, including two trips to the Final Four, and an appearance in the 2015 national championship game.

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