Luke Fickell Will Be Wisconsin Football Coach in 2026. Badgers AD McIntosh Explains Why
Despite a 2-6 record and no Big Ten wins this season, Wisconsin commits to Luke Fickell with plans to increase investment and improve competitiveness, AD McIntosh said.
- Chris McIntosh announced Thursday that Luke Fickell will remain Wisconsin head football coach for the 2026 season despite unmet expectations this year.
- With Wisconsin 2-6 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten play, quarterback injuries have limited starters to just 11 of 34 full games under Luke Fickell, head coach.
- McIntosh told ESPN that he and Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin are aligned on significantly elevating investment in our program, and `He has the vision and fire to do it`, McIntosh said.
- The announcement immediately gives clarity to recruits and the roster, with the 2026 recruiting class holding 14 commitments and the college football transfer portal opening Jan 2 through Jan. 16, 2026.
- Fickell's three-season record stands at 15-19, while Chris McIntosh said the university will evaluate every aspect of the program as part of a long-term plan to return to expectations.
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27 Articles
Badgers Buck the Trend
If you can just step back, take your heart out of it for a moment, and analyze it as a management exercise, the whole controversy over the future of the Wisconsin football program and, indeed, the whole Athletic Department is fascinating. The latest news, as of this morning, is that Luke Fickell will be back next season. Athletic Director Chris McIntosh confirmed that and he wouldn’t be in a position to do that if his own job wasn’t secure. So, …
Wisconsin AD: Luke Fickell to return as coach in 2026
Despite a dreadful 2025 season featuring a six-game losing streak, Wisconsin will stick with coach Luke Fickell for next season, the university’s athletic director revealed Thursday. Chris McIntosh gave an interview to ESPN before the school released a statement to several news outlets confirming the Badgers are behind Fickell. “Luke Fickell is Wisconsin’s Head Football Coach, and he will continue to be beyond this season,” McIntosh’s statement …
Luke Fickell will remain Wisconsin's coach 'beyond this season,' AD Chris McIntosh says
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh says Luke Fickell will remain as coach “beyond this season” as the Badgers face the realistic possibility of their worst finish in decades.
Badger football coach Luke Fickell returning to program in 2026
MADISON, Wis. – Despite a disappointing 2-6 record through the first two-thirds of the Wisconsin Badgers’ football season, head coach Luke Fickell will remain with the team into 2026. Athletic Director Chris McIntosh informed the team November 6 that Fickell will return next year. “We all recognize that we have fallen short of expectations. I am disappointed and frustrated with how our season has gone, just like our players, coaches and fans,” s…
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