Mike Eaves
After tough seasons for the Wisconsin men’s hockey team and the women’s basketball team, the UW Athletic board voted to retain coaches Mike Eaves (hockey) and Bobbie Kelsey (women’s hoops), but didn’t extend their contracts.
Eaves contract expires June 30, 2019 and Kelsey’s runs through May 31, 2019.
Under Eaves, the Badger men’s hockey team finished 4-26-5 last season, the worst record in program history. After winning an NCAA Championship in 2006 and making the title game in 2010, the Badgers have failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five seasons.
In effect, the board couldn’t reward Eaves with a contract extension after a season like last year. Eaves also fired his two assistants, Gary Shuchuk and Matt Walsh.
Bobbie Kelsey
Kelsey’s Badger women’s basketball team finished 5-11 in the Big Ten and 9-20 overall last season. Since Kelsey joined the program, Wisconsin has failed to qualify for either the NCAA or the WNIT.
It’s safe to say the Athletic Board is looking for improvement from both programs or their jobs could be in jeopardy.
The board did roll over the five-year contracts of men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan and women’s hockey coach Mark Johnson. It also rolled over the three-year deal for wrestling coach Barry Davis.