ESPN REPORT: DEAL ACCEPTED — Celtics Assistant Sam Cassell to Become New Head Coach of Wisconsin Badgers
By Adrian Martin | ESPN Senior College Basketball Insider
BOSTON, MA / MADISON, WI — July 16, 2025
In a stunning development that blends NBA pedigree with Big Ten tradition, **Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell has accepted a four-year, $4 million annual deal to become the new head coach of the University of Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team, ESPN has learned.
The deal was finalized late Tuesday night, and an official announcement is expected from the university within the next 24 hours.
Cassell, 55, will be the first African American head coach in the history of Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program. He replaces Greg Gard, who was relieved of his duties in March after a disappointing 17–15 season that saw the Badgers miss the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
The move marks Cassell’s first head coaching job after more than a decade as one of the NBA’s most respected assistant coaches, most recently with the Celtics under Charles Lee. His player development reputation and natural leadership presence have drawn praise from stars across the league, including Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid.
“Sam’s a basketball lifer. Players listen to him, respect him — because he’s been in every situation,” said ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler. “Wisconsin didn’t just hire a coach. They hired a culture-changer.”
Cassell’s decision to leave the NBA comes at a surprising time — just weeks after helping Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals. But sources close to the situation say the chance to lead a major college program and build something from the ground up was too enticing to pass up.
“I’ve done everything I can as an assistant,” Cassell reportedly told colleagues earlier this week. “It’s time to lead my own team — and Madison is the right place to do it.”
Cassell is expected to bring a modernized, up-tempo offensive system to a Wisconsin program that has long leaned on methodical, defense-first principles. Known for developing elite guards — including John Wall and Bradley Beal during his time in Washington — Cassell is expected to make immediate recruiting waves.
His first priority: re-recruiting key players on Wisconsin’s current roster, including sophomore guard Jalen Kross and rising senior forward Nolan Whitaker, both of whom had entered the transfer portal after Gard’s exit. Early reports suggest both are open to returning following Cassell’s hiring.
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh said in a brief statement:
> “Sam Cassell brings the championship mentality, leadership, and basketball intellect that our program needs right now. We are proud to welcome him to Madison and excited for the future of Badger basketball.”
Cassell, a three-time NBA champion and 15-year NBA veteran, won a national championship at Florida State in 1993 before embarking on a professional career that included stints with the Rockets, Timberwolves, and Clippers. His leadership and clutch play earned him the nickname “The Fox,” and many within the basketball world have viewed him as a head coach-in-waiting for years.
Now, that wait is over.
For the first time since the Bo Ryan era, there’s a bold new energy around Badger basketball — and it’s led by a proven winner who knows how to command a huddle.
Let me know if you’d like a fictional press conference recap, roster breakdown, or reaction from Celtics players and staff!
