Wisconsin basketball hires new recruiting staff member ahead of 2024-25 college basketball season
The Wisconsin Badgers continued their litany of front-office changes with the hire of Isaac Wodajo as the new director of recruiting and scouting, the team announced on Wednesday.
An assistant to Northern Kentucky head coach Darrin Horn, Wodajo also served as head coach for Wabash Valley College, a JUCO team. Relatively new to the coaching ranks, Isaac began his career in 2017.
His first three years were spent under Shaka Smart. The current Marquette coach was a member of the Texas Longhorns during that period, even making an NCAA tournament appearance in 2018.
Head coach Greg Gard was a fan of the hire, in particular, Wodajo's growth into the role. Gard said in a conversation with the college's website:
“We are excited to welcome Isaac Wodajo to our staff, and having him in this position makes Wisconsin basketball stronger. I’ve watched Isaac grow in the profession from afar and have been impressed with his rise and the steps he’s taken in his career thus far.
"Isaac understands what has made Wisconsin successful both on and off the court and will help us continue to compete at a championship level.”
Wodajo's hire has rounded out a far different outlook for Wisconsin going into the 2024-25 season than previous seasons.
A busy offseason for Greg Gard and Wisconsin Badgers
Thanks to departures, both due to graduation and the transfer portal, Wisconsin lost key players like Chucky Hepburn, A.J. Storr, Connor Essegian and Tyler Wahl. The Badgers were looking for a makeover to reshape the roster for next season.
Despite adding an electric point guard in Camren Hunter, alongside the wing duo of John Tonje and Xavier Amos, the team's prize arrival was Serbian forward Andrija Vukovic.
Alongside these changes, the coaching staff also saw some major changes. With the loss of Dean Oliver in the assistant role, the team found a replacement in former D-II coach Lance Randall, while promoting Kirk Penney to a full-time role.
With Wodaja's hire adding to these changes, Greg Gard is ready to put forward an entirely new product from the program.
Do you think these changes could signal long-term success for the team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.