Wisconsin makes decision on coach Luke Fickell

Wisconsin has made a decision regarding the status of head football coach Luke Fickell.

Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh sent a note to Badgers fans on Monday. The note expresses disappointment with the Badgers’ 2-5 start to the season. It also states that Wisconsin is sticking with Fickell as their head coach.

Why Chris McIntosh is staying by Luke Fickell's side

“Coach Fickell sees the potential in what this team can be, as do I, and he shares the same disappointment and frustration. Our student-athletes continue to stand and fight with character and pride as they battle through this moment of adversity, and they deserve all our support,” McIntosh’s note stated.

McIntosh made it clear the school intends to invest more money into the football program.

“As a department, we must provide our coaches the tools necessary to succeed. That means more Athletics-funded investments into infrastructure, staffing and, most importantly, student-athlete recruiting and retention. In this new era of collegiate athletics, the clear reality is that high expectations must be matched with an equal level of support.”

Fickell was brought in by Wisconsin after a successful tenure as Cincinnati’s head coach. He went 7-6 in his first season in 2023, and the program slipped to 5-7 last season. They are 2-5 this season and winless in the Big Ten.

From 2009-2019, Wisconsin had eight double-digit win seasons, and nothing worse than an 8-6 record. Since then, they’ve only had one season better than 8-6. They’re falling well below expectations, and they know work needs to be done to improve.