Does Wisconsin AD Watch Football?

There isn’t any reason to take another deep dive into why Fickell deserves to get fired. But just so that everyone is on the same page:

• Fickell is 15-18 since he arrived in Madison, Wisc.
• 2024 was the first season the Badgers didn’t make a bowl since 2001
• The Badgers are 2-5 this season
• The Badgers will very likely finish 2-10 this season
• The Badgers have been shutout in their last two home games
• The Badgers are averaging 6.8 points against P4 opponents this season

Because of this, comments like “Coach Fickell sees the potential in what this team can be, as do I” make me wonder if McIntosh has paid attention this season. I know he has attended games, but has he actually watched? Because if he has, then he shouldn’t be allowed to make any athletic related decisions again, which is a difficult task to take away from an athletic director.

Then, McIntosh seemingly doubles down by saying that “we must provide our coaches the tools necessary to succeed.” Those tools are already there and have been for 30 years. Barry Alvarez, Bret Bielema, Gary Andersen and Paul Chryst never complained about the lack of tools. Even in today’s every changing college football world, there is no reason to make it seem as though Wisconsin is an impoverished program without the ability to compete.

They were one of the most stable and successful programs in the country until Fickell arrived. And to not only see that, but to also throw more money and resources into the messy situation proves that McIntosh is oblivious.

With today’s decision to make his statement, McIntosh has fully put his own neck on the line. A neck that people around Wisconsin will want to chop when the inevitable happens and Fickell is eventually fired. Some people know how to read a room. McIntosh is not one of those.