Wisconsin Badgers athletic director makes firm statement on Luke Fickell’s 2026 status
The Wisconsin football program has gone more than a year without a conference win under head coach Luke Fickell, leading to growing speculation about his future. However, on Thursday, University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh firmly ended those rumors. In multiple interviews, including with ESPN and Badger Connect, McIntosh confirmed that Fickell will remain the Badgers’ head coach through the 2026 season.
“Coach Fickell has had my confidence throughout this season, and we’ve had numerous conversations about the challenges we’ve faced,” McIntosh told Badger Connect.
McIntosh’s backing of Fickell hasn’t been limited to private discussions. Despite Fickell’s struggles—still winless against ranked teams since taking over—the AD has publicly voiced his support several times. Following Wisconsin’s historic first loss to Maryland, McIntosh gathered reporters to reaffirm his belief in Fickell. About a month later, he released a letter acknowledging that the season “fell well short” of expectations but emphasized that both he and Fickell believe in the “potential of what this team can become.”
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