A look at what makes Coach Krabbenhoft so valuable to Wisconsin
When Greg Gard took over as head coach of the Wisconsin men’s basketball program, he wasted little time bringing back former Badger Joe Krabbenhoft as an assistant coach on his new look staff back in 2016.
Dakota Joe had previously served as a video coordinator at Wisconsin from 2012-13 under Bo Ryan, before working as an assistant coach at South Dakota State from 2014-16 under Scott Nagy.
As a player at UW, Krabbenhoft was known as one of the toughest players to ever don the cardinal and white. Unofficially, my father contends he holds the program record for most stitches received while wearing a Badger uniform.
The 6-foot-7 forward appeared in 136 career games for Wisconsin, including 70 starts, and was named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team in 2008. Krabbenhoft was a consummate professional, a glue guy, and a proven winner.
During his time as an assistant at UW, the South Dakota native has served as a mentor to many, and helped lead Wisconsin to two Big Ten regular season championships and an NCAA Tournament appearance in all but one season while on staff.
What makes Joe Krabbenhoft so valuable to Wisconsin?
Now, entering his seventh season on the Badgers coaching staff, Coach Krabbenhoft appears to really be hitting his stride as an undeniable asset beyond the experience and credibility he brings to the court.
Known as a highly passionate, and relatable players coach, Krabbenhoft is also becoming the Badgers ace in the hole on the recruiting trail.
Since 2019, Coach Krabbenhoft has been the lead recruiter on 10 of the last 14 scholarship players who have signed with the Badgers. A list that includes Johnny Davis, Tyler Wahl, Ben Carlson, Steven Crowl, Jordan Davis, Carter Gilmore, Chucky Hepburn, Matthew Mors, and most recently Gus Yalden.
One thing is abundantly clear, coach Gard has the utmost trust in Krabbenhoft’s abilities to represent, and sell the school as well as anybody he works with – hence the high priority assignments.
Still just 35 years of age, Coach Krabbenhoft appears to be a rising star on the Wisconsin Badgers coaching staff and has an incredibly bright future ahead of him.
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