I mentioned this move earlier this morning in the DAILY DIRT – it’s now official D2 St. Leo head coach Lance Randall has been named as an assistant coach at Wisconsin. Here’s the release:
Lance Randall has been hired as an assistant coach on the Wisconsin men’s basketball staff, as announced by head coach Greg Gard on Wednesday. Randall rounds out the Badgers coaching staff, joining Joe Krabbenhoft, Sharif Chambliss and Kirk Penney.
With three decades of experience, Randall has amassed over 400 career wins as a head coach – including over 250 wins at the NCAA Division II and III levels – leading his teams to multiple conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances.
“I am so thankful for Coach Gard granting me this opportunity to be a part of this storied Wisconsin program,” Randall said. “Coach Gard is not only one of the top coaches in the entire country, but also one of the highest integrity men I have ever known. Growing up in Wisconsin, I am very familiar with the history of this program including this current team. It is an honor to work for Coach Gard and alongside his great staff with this Badgers men’s basketball team.
“I am appreciative of my former Saint Leo assistants, players, coworkers, managers and many friends that we are leaving at Saint Leo. I am especially grateful for the support and friendship of Marcal Lazenby, director of athletics at Saint Leo University.
“Our family is excited to be a part of this next step in the journey of Wisconsin men’s basketball.”
Randall joins Wisconsin after most recently serving as the head coach at Saint Leo University (NCAA Div. II), where he became the program’s all-time winningest coach. He also left as the all-time wins leader at Lindenwood University (NCAA Div. II) and Webster University (NCAA Div. III).
“We are very pleased to welcome Lance Randall and his family to our staff,” Gard said. “This search process was extensive and we evaluated a multitude of qualified candidates across many levels for the position. As we continue to evaluate and navigate the ever-changing college basketball landscape, I am confident that Lance will bring a wealth of experience and wide-range versatility to our program. He stood out from the beginning of our search with his winning record, experience coaching at a variety of levels, along with his passion and understanding of our program.
“Lance brings three decades worth of coaching experience, including standout success as a head coach at the NCAA Division II and III levels. Not only was Coach Randall the all-time winningest coach at Webster University and Lindenwood University, but also at Saint Leo University where he led his teams at a championship level. As an associate head coach at UW-Stevens Point, he was part of a Division III national championship. Coach Randall also won two state high school championships (2006 and 2007) while the head coach at Oshkosh West. Lance is well connected throughout our state, across the country, and internationally in the game of basketball. Because of these relationships and connections, it will allow us to be impactful in our recruiting efforts across a variety of areas. Lance comes highly regarded by his colleagues and peers.
“I know how much this opportunity means to Lance, and he is excited to get to Madison to begin working with the rest of our staff and players. We are happy to have Lance, his wife Pam, and his children Evelyn, River, Ruby and Rocco joining the Badger family very soon.”
A native of Montfort, Wisconsin, Randall began his coaching career as the head assistant coach at his alma mater, Beloit College, from 1994-97. He went on to serve as head coach at Webster University (1997-2000), Lindenwood (2015-19) and Saint Leo University (2011-15, 2019-24).
Randall served as head coach in two stints at Saint Leo University, first from 2011-15, then again from 2019-24, compiling a record of 146-100 (.593). Randall was the only coach in the program’s 60-year history to win NCAA tournament games, including three straight trips to the NCAA tournament. He led Saint Leo to its first-ever conference regular season title in 2013 and its first-ever conference tournament title in 2021.
At Lindenwood, Randall led the program to the most NCAA Division II wins in school history, its first-ever NCAA regional ranking, and the school’s first Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) tournament wins.
Randall is well connected through the game of basketball at the international level. From 2000-02, he served as head coach and vice president of basketball for Pertemps Birmingham Bullets, a professional team in Birmingham, England. In the summer of 2017, he also served as an assistant coach for the Kosovo national men’s basketball team.
This April, Randall was named the head coach of the Great Britain Basketball U20 men’s team, which will take part in events across Europe this July.
Randall received his bachelor’s degree in government at Beloit College before earning a master’s degree in teaching at Webster University.
Randall and his wife, Pamela, have four children, Evelyn, River, Ruby and Rocco.
