Wisconsin assistant coach Butters leaves program to ‘pursue other passions’

Wisconsin assistant coach Bill Butters, who is in his third year with the Badgers, has left his position effective immediately, the school announced Wednesday.

“I believe it’s time for me to move on from coaching,” Butters said in a news release. “I have appreciated coach [Mike] Eaves’ support and friendship as I have come to this conclusion. Mike and I believe it will be in the best interests of both myself and the program if I take this step and return to my family and continue to develop the other pursuits on my horizon. It has been a fantastic opportunity to coach our players and work with the staff at Wisconsin.”

Butters told reporters Wednesday that he left the program to answer a calling to the ministry.

“I can’t thank Bill enough for the time he spent with our program,” Eaves added. “He has decided that it is in his best interest to return home to Minnesota to be with his family and to pursue other passions in his life. Bill is a good friend and a great hockey man. He has had a long and successful career in the game and though I’m sad to see him go, I’m happy he will be able to move onto this next chapter in his life.”

Eaves has already started a search to find Butters’ replacement.

Video courtesy Wisconsin Athletics:

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