Former Green Bay men’s basketball head coach and Phoenix Hall of Famer Dick Bennett will serve as an adviser to head coach Brian Wardle and the men’s basketball program beginning in 2013-14.
“Phoenix Hall of Famer and legendary coach Dick Bennett has been a great mentor and supporter of mine since I became the head coach at Green Bay,” said Wardle. “I am excited that during the 2013-14 season he will be serving as an adviser to our coaching staff.”
Bennett served as the head coach at Green Bay from 1985-95 and posted a record of 187-109. Under Bennett, the Phoenix won two conference championships and made three trips to the NCAA Tournament. He was inducted into the Phoenix Hall of Fame in 2002.
“One of my favorite phrases that I use with our team is, “strengthen your strengths and improve your weaknesses,” and having Coach Bennett around our program provides a valuable opportunity for all of us to do that while learning from one of the best. Personally,” Wardle said. “I am looking forward to continuing to learn from one of the all-time great college basketball coaches.”
In his career, Bennett served as a head coach for 28 seasons and won 316 combined games while at the helm of UW-Stevens Point, Green Bay, Wisconsin and Washington State. His teams appeared in six NCAA Tournaments at the Division I level. This past April at the NCAA Final Four, Bennett was honored with the Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award at the 17th Annual Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast.
“I was extremely excited to hear that Chancellor Harden had chosen Dick Bennett as the advisor,” said Interim Director of Athletics Dan McIver. “Coach Bennett has always been dedicated to this program and his willingness to serve in this capacity is another example of that dedication. Coach Wardle and his staff are building a strong, competitive basketball program, and having Coach Bennett involved will provide a valuable asset to the program moving forward.”
Bennett’s son Tony, Green Bay’s all-time leading scorer and a Phoenix Hall of Famer, is the head coach of Virginia.
Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.
