Greg Gard is the right man for the job

Despite a modest 5-4 record under interim head coach Greg Gard, the Wisconsin Badgers are in a good spot with Gard at the helm. At first, I was not convinced that Gard could be "the guy," but I am becoming more and more convinced.

Gard's first game was a victory against Green Bay, but has started just 4-4 in conference play. However, the Badgers improve each and every game, which is all you can ask for with Wisconsin being one of the more inexperienced teams in the nation. Despite having four juniors in the starting lineup, only Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes had much playing time before this year. Add in eight freshmen, which is tied for the most in the nation, and you have a recipe for an up and down season, which is what has gone on so far. After starting out 1-4 in the Big Ten, the Badgers have won three consecutive games, including wins over No. 4 Michigan State and No. 19 Indiana. After having seven of its first nine losses by six points or less, the Badgers have learned to win the close games, winning the last three games by a combined 10 points.

Gard has an unlikely mentor in Michigan State head coach and Hall of Fame finalist Tom Izzo. Gard and Izzo have become friends over the years and if anyone knows what Gard is going through, it is Izzo. Former Michigan State head coach Jud Heathcoate retired following the 1994-95 season and Izzo, the associate head coach, took over and the rest is history. I am not saying that Gard will turn out to be Tom Izzo because saying that would be ridiculous as Izzo has been to a number of Final Fours and has a national championship.

People always want to look for a proven coach, whether that be at a high major or mid major, but many of those guys want to stay put. People mention Tony Bennett since he has ties to the area and he went to school at UW-Green Bay, but getting him would be a pipe dream. Not only does Bennett and his family love where he is at, but he also signed an extension this past offseason in an effort to keep him from going to Wisconsin this offseason.

Also, sometimes people just are happy where they are. One of the only other people I have seen possibly linked to Wisconsin is Northern Iowa's Ben Jacobson. However, he, like Bennett signed a big extension this past offseason. He seems to really like it at Northern Iowa and would be tough for the Badgers to lure him away.

With all of these coaches likely wanting to stay at their respective places and the fact that Gard has done as well as anyone could have with such an inexperienced roster. With the Badgers playing really well right now, I do not see any team that will want to play the Badgers down the stretch this season and a lot of that has to do with the coaching of Gard. There is no doubt that Gard will be and should be the coach going forward.