University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers

Across 17 seasons as head coach, Jeff Gard has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in program and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history. Through the 2025-26 season, Gard has compiled a 294-154 overall record and sits as the winningest active head coach in the WIAC and second in UW-Platteville men's basketball history in career victories, trailing only Hall of Fame coach Bo Ryan (1985-99).

Recent Success
Gard has guided the Pioneers through one of the most successful stretches in program history, highlighted by conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, national recognition and historic individual accomplishments. UW-Platteville made its 17th NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in 2025-26 which followed a pair of historic seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

UW-Platteville became the first men's basketball program in WIAC history to win the both the conference regular season championship and WIAC Tournament championship in back-to-back seasons, claiming the titles first in 2024 and again in 2025. The Pioneers finished the 2024-25 season 26-3 overall and 13-1 in WIAC play, capturing the program's 25th WIAC Championship and earning a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. In 2023-24, UW-Platteville finished the season ranked No. 5 in the nation after the team's tournament run ended in overtime against eventual national champion Trine University in the Elite Eight - the program's first trip to the national quarterfinals since the 1999 National Championship season. The Pioneers finished 26-5 that season, with Gard earning his 250th career victory in a decisive 95-75 victory over Case Western Reserve in the Sweet Sixteen.

For his team's success, Gard was named the 2024 WIAC Coach of the Year, National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District Coach of the Year and D3hoops.com Central Region Coach of the Year.

Developing National Players of the Year
Among the signature accomplishments of Gard's tenure has been the development of Logan Pearson, who completed one of the most decorated careers in UW-Platteville and NCAA Division III basketball history. Pearson became a two-time NCAA Division III National Player of the Year, earning the NABC National Player of the Year award in 2023-24 and the D3hoops.com National Player of the Year award in 2024-25.

Pearson graduated as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,112 career points. He was a two-time First-Team All-American, two-time NABC Division III District 9 Player of the Year, two-time WIAC Player of the Year and two-time First-Team All-WIAC selection. Pearson became just the second Pioneer to earn the NABC National Player of the Year award, joining Merrill Brunson, who received the honor during UW-Platteville's 1999 National Championship season.

Player development has been a hallmark of Gard's program. Among the Pioneers' All-Americans coached by Gard are Pearson, Carter Voelker (2019-20), Robert Duax (2017-18) and Chas Cross (2013-14). Gard has also coached numerous 1,000-point scorers and All-WIAC performers throughout his tenure.

Sustained National Success
In 2021-22, Gard led UW-Platteville to a 22-6 record, a fourth consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearance, and a final national ranking of No. 5.

The Pioneers claimed their second WIAC regular season championship in three in 2019-20 after going 23-5 overall and 12-2 in conference play. Following the season, Gard was named WIAC Coach of the Year, NABC All-District Coach of the Year and D3hoops.com Central Region Coach of the Year. He also received the prestigious national Jack Bennett Man of the Year Award.

UW-Platteville also captured the 2017-18 WIAC regular-season championship and the 2018-19 WIAC Tournament championship.

Servant Leadership and Community Impact
Gard is known not only for his work on the basketball court, but also for his commitment to servant leadership and giving back to the community. Gard, his family and the Pioneer basketball program have been actively involved in Garding Against Cancer, helping raise awareness and financial support in the fight against cancer throughout Wisconsin. Through Garding Against Cancer and partnerships with organizations throughout Southwest Wisconsin, Gard and the Pioneer basketball program have worked to ensure funds raised directly benefit cancer patients, families and organizations within the region.

Community service remains an important component of the Pioneer basketball experience, with Gard emphasizing that representing UW-Platteville carries responsibilities that extend well beyond the basketball court.

Building the Pioneer Program
Gard was named the 13th head coach in UW-Platteville men's basketball history on June 9, 2009, after serving as an assistant coach with the Pioneers for the previous six seasons, including his final two as associate head coach. He quickly made his mark, winning 64 games during his first four seasons, the most victories by a coach in the first four years of a tenure in program history.

During Gard's six seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, the Pioneers compiled a 103-56 record, captured the 2004-05 WIAC Championship, defeated NCAA Division I Bradley 84-79, earned the school's first No. 1 national ranking in 10 seasons in December 2008, and advanced to the 2009 NCAA Division III Tournament. The 2009 NCAA appearance was UW-Platteville's first since winning its fourth National Championship in 1999. The Pioneers advanced to the second round after defeating Hope College (Mich.) 83-59 before falling to host Wheaton College (Ill.) 74-69 in overtime.

Before returning to his alma mater, Gard spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, helping the Muskies compile a 35-18 record and win back-to-back Lake Michigan Conference championships. The Iowa-Grant native also spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Wisconsin prep powerhouse Cuba City High School under legendary coach Jerry Petitgoue and one season at Southwestern High School.

Gard cites Petitgoue, former UW-Platteville and Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan, and Paul Combs among the major coaching influences in his career.

National and International Experiences
Since arriving at UW-Platteville, Gard has helped lead the Pioneers on international trips to Germany, Ireland and Greece, providing student-athletes with opportunities to compete abroad, experience different cultures and create lifelong memories through basketball. The recent trip to Greece in June 2025 continued the program's commitment to providing student-athletes with opportunities that extend beyond their time on campus and the basketball court.

The Pioneers have also traveled extensively throughout the United States during Gard's tenure, participating in tournaments and events in Colorado Springs, San Antonio, Raleigh, Las Vegas, Pasadena, Columbus, Dallas and Phoenix.

UW-Platteville has also competed against NCAA Division I opponents during Gard's tenure, including the University of Illinois Chicago, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin. The Pioneers most recently returned to the Kohl Center to face Wisconsin in an exhibition game on October 29, 2025.

Education and Family
Gard graduated from UW-Platteville in May 2001 with a bachelor's degree in Physical and Health Education and earned his Master's in Education from UW-Platteville in 2005.

He is the younger brother of former UW-Platteville assistant coach and current University of Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard. He is the son of Connie and the late Glen Gard of Cobb, Wisconsin.

Gard and his wife, Amy, along with their daughter, Hannah, and son, Vincent, reside in Platteville.

Jeff Gard Year-by-Year Coaching Record