The Wisconsin Badgers announced a couple of staff moves on Monday, as Special Assistant to the Head Coach Kirk Penney resigned after spending two seasons on the staff.
Penney, who received credit for helping with Wisconsin’s offensive scheme change, is returning to New Zealand to be able to spend more time with his family.
“Our entire team and staff are grateful for the two seasons Kirk was able to spend with us and I thank him for his impact on Wisconsin Basketball,” head coach Greg Gard said. “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. 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. We all understand the sacrifices he has made by living and working here while his family is half a world away, and I’m excited for him to be back home with Audra and the kids.”
“Kirk will always have a place in our program and I’m looking forward to finding ways to keep him included in what we are building.”
Penney had been an architect of an offense that averaged 80.9 points per game in 2025, which was the program’s best since the 1971-72 season. Wisconsin had transitioned to more of a three-point and free-throw shooting team, improving its figures in both departments.
With Penney’s departure, the Badgers are adding former player and two-time Big Ten champion Brad Davison to the coaching staff. It will be Davison’s first stop as a coach.
“Adding Brad Davison to our staff is an absolute win,” Gard continued. “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. 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. He’s a winner and will not only add valuable perspective, but he will also have the ability to connect with the guys in our locker room from day one. We can’t wait to have Brad back on the court and in our program with us.”
“I am incredibly grateful to return to the University of Wisconsin with my family,” Davison said. “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.”
Davison is joining the Badgers staff after a professional career that included stints with Nevėžis Kėdainiai (Lithuania) in 2022-23, HLA Alicante (Spain) in 2023-24, and Obradoio (Spain) in 2024-25 campaign. Davison had initially returned to HLA Alicante for the first few weeks of the 2025-26 season before pursuing his coaching career with the Badgers.
Davison had a storied career with the Badgers, being one of five players in Wisconsin history with 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, and 300 assists. He also reached the 100-win mark as a player and holds the school record for the most three-pointers made.
He continues the trend of former Badgers players returning to the team as coaches, and will be on the bench with assistants Joe Krabbenhoft and Shariff Chambliss.
