Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan retiring; Greg Gard taking over as interim coach

— -- Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is retiring effective immediately, he said after the team's win Tuesday.

Longtime assistant Greg Gard is taking over as interim head coach, the school said in a statement. 

"After months of conversation with Barry Alvarez and his administrative staff, as well as my wife, Kelly, I have decided that now is the right time to step down from the head coaching position here at Wisconsin," Ryan said in the statement. 

Wisconsin is 7-5 this season. Ryan, who turns 68 next week, had said in a statement last June that he would coach this season and then step down. 

"This was a decision months in the making," Ryan said. "I brought this up to Barry back in April. He advised me to take some time to think it over and I appreciated that. But in recent weeks, I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to retire and for Greg Gard to have the opportunity to coach the team for the remainder of the season. I discussed this with Barry and I appreciate him giving me the space to make this decision."