Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Why Luke Fickell's contract extension with Wisconsin feels odd

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Feb 19, 2025 9:45 PM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers want head football coach Luke Fickell around for a long time. Well, perhaps not forever — because nothing lasts forever in football — but Wisconsin at least wants Fickell in Madison through the 2032 season.

Evan Flood of 247Sports passed on a press release from Wisconsin that states Fickell is one of four Badgers coaches who saw their contracts extended Wednesday.

Luke Fickell contract extended through 2032.#Badgers pic.twitter.com/KlglpSGVTG
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) February 19, 2025

The timing of this extension undoubtedly feels odd considering the fact that Wisconsin is coming off its first losing season since 2001. This one-year extension is a routine thing that Wisconsin does, though, and apparently all Fickell had to do was have a "satisfactory" performance in 2024.

The #Badgers have extended various coaching contracts, including Luke Fickell's contract through March 31, 2032.

Fickell's contract is extended yearly if Athletic Director Chris McIntosh's recommendation indicates that Fickell has achieved "satisfactory performance." pic.twitter.com/oILSdd70Ul
— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) February 19, 2025

The bar has been extremely high in Madison for years now. The Badgers had been bowl-eligible for 22 straight seasons until 2024.

A 5-7, non-bowl eligible season does not feel satisfactory in that light, but Wisconsin is also a program that favors stability. Perhaps that's why Fickell was awarded an extra year on Wednesday, but it still feels strange considering his mediocre 12-13 record through two seasons.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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