Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell is expected to return in 2026, athletic director Chris McIntosh told ESPN on Thursday.
The news comes a few weeks after McIntosh issued a public statement of support
for Fickell and acknowledged that the team would have an increased financial investment in 2026 to compete in the Big Ten.
“Chancellor (Jennifer) Mnookin and I are aligned on significantly elevating investment in our program to compete at highest level,” McIntosh said to ESPN. “We are willing to make an investment in infrastructure and staff. As important, is our ability to retain and recruit players in a revenue share and NIL era.”
“If Wisconsin is going to be as competitive as we expect, the support has to be as competitive,” McIntosh said. “There’s no getting around it. Our people, our fans are passionate about Wisconsin football. I’d have it no other way. A successful football program is important to university, the state and our lettermen.”
Prior to issuing the public statement, McIntosh had spoken with the players, noting that Fickell was not going to be fired as the team was amid a five-game losing streak. Now, he is publicly backing the decision to have Fickell back in 2026 for a fourth season.
“This season has caused us all to have to look from within,” McIntosh said. “Luke has had to do that. I’ve had to do that. He has a willingness to be better. So do I, and so does Wisconsin from an institutional perspective.”
“Our intention is to be, in terms of our investment, on par with those that we intend to compete with,” McIntosh said. “Our expectations are to compete at the highest level in the Big Ten and beyond.”
Fickell has gone 15-19 in three seasons as Wisconsin’s head coach, including 8-16 in conference play. Currently, the Badgers are 2-6 on a six-game losing streak, having lost their last 10 conference games dating back to last season.
If the Badgers were to fire Fickell, he’d be owed a buyout of more than $25 million this season. Now, he’ll get another chance to right the ship at Wisconsin after a disappointing start to his tenure.
