Former Wisconsin great Brad Davison replaces Kirk Penney as special assistant to the head coach

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball standout guard Brad Davison is joining Greg Gard’s staff as the Badgers’ special assistant to the head coach, the team announced on Sept. 29 via a press release.

He is replacing Kirk Penney, who has resigned and with plans to return to New Zealand to spend more time with family. He had been coaching at UW while his family was still in New Zealand — an 18-hour difference in time zones.

“I'm looking forward to staying connected to the program, but it's time for me to be with my family in New Zealand,” Penney said in the press release. “My wife and children have been so accommodating and it feels like the right time to step away from the Badgers to be home. I'm also excited to continue pursuing current and new private business opportunities in New Zealand.

Penney, a former all-Big Ten guard, was on staff for two seasons. Both seasons resulted in NCAA tournament appearances. UW went a combined 49-23 in those two years and had its highest points per game average (80.9) in 2024-25 since 1971-72.

Gard said in the release that Penney “will always have a place in our program.”

“He is a legend of this program, and it was fun to see him extend the impact he had as a player to then a coaching role," Gard said. "As a father and husband myself, I fully understand the importance of being present with your spouse and young kids, which quite frankly, is a non-negotiable in the game of life. I fully support Kirk’s decision to step away from coaching to be in New Zealand on a more full-time basis to grow his business entrepreneurial goals and most certainly be there with his family."

Adding Brad Davison is ‘absolute win’

Gard described the addition of Davison to the staff as an “absolute win.”

“He was the heart and soul of our program while he played here and he has stayed connected even while playing professionally over the past four years in Europe,” Gard said. “He has a terrific basketball mind, one of the best leaders I’ve ever coached, and we know we are adding someone who will dedicate every ounce to this team.”

Davison had been playing professionally in Lithuania in 2022-23 and in Spain since then before beginning his coaching career at his alma mater. That followed a career where he was a 2018 Big Ten all-freshman team honoree and 2022 second-team all-Big Ten honoree. He remains one of five players in Wisconsin program history with at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists.

“I am incredibly grateful to return to the University of Wisconsin with my family,” Davison said in the release. “This is a special place that means the world to me. I can’t wait to serve this program and to continue to raise the high standard of Wisconsin Basketball.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brad Davison replaces Kirk Penney on Wisconsin Badgers' staff