GB Director of Athletics talks firing Ryan & state of department
GREEN BAY (WLUK) - Green Bay athletics director Josh Moon made the decision Monday to move on from head men's basketball coach Will Ryan with 10 games remaining in the regular season. Our Cody Krupp sat down with Moon Tuesday 1-on-1 to discuss the firing of Coach Ryan and the direction of the program moving forward.
"They needed a different voice and obviously not just on the court, but everything they are doing day to day, and that needed to happen now," Moon said.
This year a 2-19 record, 15-61 overall in Ryan's two n' half year tenure, simply put it is not good enough, it is not going to sell tickets and take this program in the direction that it hopes too.
Going into the year did you know that if it wasn't going to get done it was going to be his last year?
"Continued evaluation from where we are to where we need to be and progress needs to be shown to get there, and obviously that didn't happen this year so couple that with a bunch of other things and this is where we ended up," Moon said.
How big is men's and women's basketball for the financials to run a D-1 program?
"In this case men's and women's basketball here have to be successful because without those two programs being at that high level it's really tough to get anything done for the rest of our sports, so really critical for us and the program to transform now," Moon said.
If men's does not get to a competitive level is staying D-1 no matter how good the women's program is, is that long term sustainable to stay D-1?
"This university is growing and thriving, and D-1 athletics are an important part of that so there is no question about that, and we are committed to that," Moon said.
You've seen the attendance drop 2/3s from it's hay day, since 2015 it's down 50 percent where does that put the university in a financial status?
"We do need to set the reset button with our fans and everybody, do know our men's basketball alumni we need there help too get involved but also give that's a really low number right now, working with some alumni to light the fire, this is their program so guys we need you back right now," Moon said.
All but one home game this year has been played in the Resch Center but the final four will be held on campus in the Kress Center. Moon added the university has one year left on their lease with the Resch and will revaluate where to play future men's home games.
Full interview with Moon:
