Former Wisconsin standout Sharif Chambliss begins his fifth season coaching on the Badger bench in 2025-26. Chambliss returned to the program as an assistant coach under head coach Greg Gard in May of 2021.
With nearly two decades of collegiate experience at five different schools, Chambliss has been part of 14 winning seasons, including 11 campaigns of 20-plus wins, six regular season titles and six NCAA tournament appearances. In 2021-22, Chambliss helped coach the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten regular season championship with a record of 25-8 overall (15-5 Big Ten).
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| SHARIF CHAMBLISS |
| Hometown |
| Racine, Wisconsin |
| Family |
| Wife, Melissa |
| Children, Julian and Kellen |
| Education |
B.S., Life Sciences Communication, Wisconsin, 2005
M.A., Adult Education, UW-Platteville, 2011 |
| Coaching Experience |
| Assistant Coach, Wisconsin (2021-present) |
| Assistant Coach, Wright State (2016-21) |
| Assistant Coach, UW-Milwaukee (2012-16) |
| Head Assistant Coach, UW-Platteville (2009-10) |
| Assistant Coach, Francis Marion University (2008-09) |
| Playing Experience |
| Portuguese Team Lusitania (Portugal), 2005-06 |
| University of Wisconsin, 2003-05 |
| Penn State University, 2000-03 |
Voted the No. 1 assistant coach in the Horizon League by his peers in 2020 (Stadium.com), the 2025-26 season marks the 16th of Chambliss’ coaching career. It's also his second stint on the Badger bench, as Chambliss served as video coordinator at Wisconsin from 2010-12 under head coach Bo Ryan and Greg Gard, then UW’s top assistant at the time.
Chambliss, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, returned home to Wisconsin after most recently serving as an assistant coach at Wright State University from 2016-2021.
In Chambliss’ five seasons at Wright State, the Raiders went 109-49 (.690), winning each of the last three Horizon League championships. His tenure included an appearance in the 2018 NCAA Tournament as well as the school's first-ever NIT appearance in 2019. The Raiders were also selected to the 2020 NIT prior to its cancellation due to COVID-19.
Prior to Wright State, Chambliss spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Milwaukee from 2012-16. The Panthers made a huge turnaround with Chambliss on staff in 2013-14, improving 13 games in the win column, posting 21 wins overall and reaching the NCAA tournament for the second time under head coach Rob Jeter.
Chambliss made his first return trip to Wisconsin from 2010-12 when he served as video coordinator, helping the Badgers advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in each of his two seasons on the bench.
Chambliss was also an assistant coach at UW-Platteville (2009-10) and Francis Marion University (2008-09). He also gained experience serving as a student academic advisor for both Milwaukee (2006-08) and UW-Platteville (2009-10).
A two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten guard, Chambliss scored 1,107 points in his collegiate career playing at both Wisconsin (2004-05) and Penn State (2000-04). He transferred to Wisconsin for his final year, becoming a team captain and averaging 7.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game to help the Badgers reach the Elite Eight in 2005. Chambliss finished his career ranked eighth all-time in made 3-point field goals in the Big Ten, leading the league in 3-point field goal shooting percentage (42%) during the 2001-02 season.
Chambliss was the team’s leading scorer in two of his three seasons with the Nittany Lions.
Upon graduating, Chambliss played professional basketball in Portugal for one year.
Chambliss earned a bachelor of science degree in life sciences communication from Wisconsin in 2005. He earned a master's degree in adult education from UW-Platteville in 2011.
Chambliss and his wife, Melissa, married in spring 2015. The couple have two sons, Julian and Kellen.
