Feb 11, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy watches a replay on the Jumbotron as the Wisconsin Badgers played the Michigan Wolverines at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-Imagn Images Mary Langenfeld-Imagn Images

Chris McIntosh and Mike McCarthy sighting ignites Wisconsin Badgers fans' speculation

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Kedrick Stumbris | Last updated Sep 21, 2025 8:11 PM ET

With a first-ever loss to the Maryland Terrapins, chants of "fire Fickell," and one of the worst passing offenses in the country already leading fans to speculate wildly about the job security of Wisconsin football head coach Luke Fickell, there were very few things that could have possibly added fuel to that fire on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday, however, Wisconsin Badgers athletic director Chris McIntosh was seen alongside one of the most accomplished football coaches in the state of Wisconsin in the past two decades.

McIntosh and former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy took in the sights and sounds of a Wisconsin Badgers volleyball victory inside the Kohl Center. After McCarthy's recent move back to Wisconsin after a stint at the helm of the Dallas Cowboys, the Super Bowl XLV champion has "tried to get as far away from football as [he] possibly could."

That did not stop Badgers fans from making the connection between McCarthy, McIntosh, and Fickell's future.

Wisconsin football fans split on having Mike McCarthy to replace Luke Fickell

In the nearly eight years since the Packers chose to fire McCarthy, his reputation has recovered among some football fans. Now, as Badgers fans are asking questions about who should be at the helm of their favorite team, some are intrigued by the idea of McCarthy returning to the sidelines in Wisconsin.

Give him $100 million dollars to coach the football team for 5 years im serious
— BREW CREW TYLER (@pabl_osanchez) September 21, 2025

I've been saying hire this man since yesterday pic.twitter.com/dzwDKlQkDZ
— Kevin Spice (@kevin_spic34866) September 21, 2025

Mike would be an interesting choice to coach the Badgers.
— Tim Weisensel (@1TimothyA) September 21, 2025

If he goes to wisconsin and wins a national championship, im voting for him for governor. https://t.co/P1Y3YL55Qj
— Tyler T-H (@thtylerharris) September 21, 2025

Do it, Mac https://t.co/tMvE3yC56g
— Ryan Wing (@RyanWingFOX11) September 21, 2025

I’m so ready for this https://t.co/PXiKG36yse
— Tanner Opichka (@CowboyofSpace) September 21, 2025

Others fans were definitely not interested in hiring McCarthy in to replace Fickell.

I have an idea. If the badgers hire that clown, I will instantly find another team to root for.
— RJYttri (@Tanner1976) September 21, 2025

The courting process has begun (plz no)
— Randall Kohl III (@skinnymac__) September 21, 2025

(big McCarthy guy but no thanks lol) https://t.co/79S5qr7V9I
— Maverick Johnson (@MKEBucksCat) September 21, 2025

No
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) September 21, 2025

A few fans floated the idea of a different role for McCarthy with the Wisconsin football team.

I can think of way worse people to be a consultant or senior advisor for FB
— Todd (@pilprin) September 21, 2025

With the transfer portal and NIL dominating big time collegiate sports, universities have gone to hiring a general manager to oversee everything. I could see Wisconsin joining that club, and maybe Mike McCarthy is through with being an NFL head coach, and would like to be a GM.
— Jeff Ostach☮️ (@jeff_ostach) September 21, 2025

Above all else, folks got their jokes off.