State D-I men's hoops notes: UWGB's Kowalczyk becomes head coach at Toldeo, Hayward in dunk contest
Wisconsin Sports- A couple names are being mentioned as possible replacements for UW-Green Bay men’s basketball coach Tod Kowalczyk, who accepted the job at Toledo yesterday. Media reports say Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan will lobby to have his top assistant Greg Gard considered.
GREEN BAY - A couple names are being mentioned as possible replacements for UW-Green Bay men’s basketball coach Tod Kowalczyk, who accepted the job at Toledo yesterday. Media reports say Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan will lobby to have his top assistant Greg Gard considered.
And UWGB athletic director Ken Bothof says he’ll encourage Kowalczyk’s assistants to apply – including Brian Wardle, who will run the program at least until a replacement is named. Gard turned down the Toledo job two years ago.
Another candidate is former UWGB all-star Gary Grzesk who is the head coach of St. Norbert's College in De Pere.
The 43-year-old Kowalczyk leaves Green Bay after eight seasons, with at least 20 victories the last two years. He was 136-112 overall, and he led the Phoenix to top-four finishes in the Horizon League for seven years in a row. Bothof said Green Bay’s program is definitely better because of Kowalczyk.
Media reports said money was a factor in his departure. He’ll get $280,000 a year in a five-year contract at Toledo. At Green Bay, he was paid $133,000 and his total package was said to be around 200-thousand. Kowalczyk replaces Toledo coach Gene Cross, who quit after going 11-53 in two years.
Marquette forward Lazar Hayward will take part in the Slam Dunk Contest tomorrow night at the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. And on Friday, Hayward and Green Bay area native Adam Koch of Northern Iowa will both play in the Reese’s College All-Star Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Hayward and Koch are both seniors, and Marquette coach Buzz Williams says he’s thankful that Hayward gets to finish his college career like this. Hayward averaged 18 points and seven-and-a-half rebounds for Marquette this season. Koch, of Ashwaubenon, averaged 12 points and five rebounds for Northern Iowa – which upset Kansas to make the Sweet-16. Both players were named as honorable mentions this week on the AP All-America teams. Koch is also among 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, which will be presented at the Final Four.
Tags: wi sports, proam, basketball
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