UW-Platteville conducted an extensive national search for its 13th men’s basketball coach, but as it turned out, the ideal candidate was already on the Pioneer bench.

Jeff Gard was introduced as the head coach Tuesday in front of a large gathering in the Pioneer Student Center. He moves to the head coaching position after serving as a Pioneer assistant for the previous six seasons. He spent the last two as the associate head coach under Paul Combs, who left for Wayne State (Neb.), an NCAA Division II school.

“We had a really good pool of candidates, and Jeff rose to the top,” UW-Platteville Athletic Director Mark Molesworth said. “His tireless hard work and efforts over the last six years have helped the Pioneers return to the NCAA III playoffs. We’re very confident he can continue that as a head coach. He truly is a member of the Pioneer family, as he has his undergraduate and master’s degrees from UW-Platteville and has also worked in the admissions office. He is in a great position to carry the Pioneer message forward.”

During Gard’s six seasons at his alma mater, the Pioneers were 103-56, won the 2004-05 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, beat NCAA Division I Bradley 84-79, earned the school’s first national number one ranking (in December, 2008) in 10 seasons, and made the 2009 NCAA III playoffs, the school’s first berth since winning its fourth national championship in 1989-99. The Pioneers advanced to the second round of the 2009 playoffs, beating Hope (Mich.) 83-59 before falling to host Wheaton (Ill.) 74-69 in overtime.

"I am humble and excited to be able to take this next step in my career and lead this storied program," he said. "I know there are a lot of eyes on Platteville as a result of what these young men accomplished last year as well as the rich tradition that has gone before us. I am honored to be associated with the great tradition in both athletics and academics at UW-Platteville and this great community. We do not make a whole lot of promises, but we make commitments; commitments that this will be about players first."

Gard was an assistant at Lakeland College in Sheboygan for two seasons, helping the Muskies to a 35-18 record and back-to-back Lake Michigan Conference championships.

The Iowa-Grant native and UWP graduate spent three seasons as an assistant coach at one of Wisconsin’s prep powerhouse’s, Cuba City, under legendary Coach Jerry Petitgoue, and one year at Southwestern High School.

Petitgoue, former Pioneer Coach and current Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan, and Paul Combs were cited by Gard as outstanding influences.

"I have been very fortunate to have some great mentors along the past 12 years of coaching," he said. "Such individuals as Coach Petitgoue, Coach Ryan and Coach Combs have played an important role in my development not only as a coach and teachers but as an individual."

Gard graduated from UW-Platteville in May of 2001 with a Bachelor’s in Physical and Health Education and earned his Master’s in Education at UW-Platteville in 2005.

He is the younger brother of former UWP assistant coach and current Wisconsin Associate Head Coach Greg Gard, who attended the introductory press conference.

The son of Glen and Connie Gard of Cobb, Jeff and wife Amy reside in Platteville.

"Our goal for this program is simple: to make Platteville and Southwest Wisconsin proud of this team, proud of their program, bu their work on the court and our integrity off the court," the new coach said. "I can't wait to get started!"

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT JEFF GARD

* “Jeff Gard is a rising star in the coaching profession. He has been instrumental in all facets of the UWP program for the last six years, allowing the Pioneers to achieve our first #1 ranking since 1999. Coach Gard’s loyalty, high character and work ethic are important traits for all successful head coaches. Most importantly, Jeff embraces the Division III and UW-Platteville philosophy of the student-athlete and the overall growth of each Pioneer on and off the court.”
--Paul Combs, Wayne State Coach

* “Coach Gard has been a tremendous asset to the university since his hiring six years ago. He has done a superb job in helping re-establish the UW-Platteville men’s basketball program to prowess within the WIAC. However, it is not Mr. Gard’s basketball record alone that is impressive. Rather, it is his commitment to the principle of the student-athlete that makes him a role model.”
--John Krogman, Former UWP Faculty Athletic Representative

* “I have been on lots of visits with my players to schools at all levels and I would rate my experience at Platteville at the top of the list. Coach Gard gave us a first-class presentation of the university as well as the city of Platteville. His passion and pride for the university and community were evident from our first contact.”
--Rob Stircula, Benedictine High School Coach, Cleveland, Ohio

JEFF GARD CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

(Lakeland College 2001-03, UW-Platteville 2003-09)

* 133-74 record as assistant coach over the past 8 seasons
* 74-22 record at home during the past 8 seasons
* 3 Conference Championships
* 2009 NCAA Division III National Tournament Berth
* 2008-09 #1 National Ranking

JEFF GARD’S YEARLY RECORD

(Lakeland College 2001-03, UW-Platteville 2003-09)
2001-02 16-10 Lake Michigan Conference Champions
2002-03 19-8 Lake Michigan Conference Champions
2003-04 16-12 Advanced to WIAC Championship Game
2004-05 19-7 WIAC Champions
2005-06 13-12
2006-07 13-12
2007-08 19-7 Ranked 19th in final D3hoops.com poll
2008-09 23-6 2nd Round, NCAA III Playoffs, Ranked 6h in final D3hoops.com poll