From 2018-22, Luke Fickell compiled 53 wins and became one of the hottest names available on the coaching market. So when the Wisconsin Badgers job opened up, there was no doubt who their newest coach would be. However, since Fickell’s arrival, things have gone far away from plan. Fickell currently holds a 17-21 record, which shows year-on-year regression. Now, while the Badgers have had some terrible injury luck during Fickell’s tenure, that can only be an excuse for so long. According to On3's Andy Staples, Fickell is squarely on the hot seat. While it usually wouldn't be a bad thing to be in the same company as a guy like Bill Belichick, this is no ordinary occasion.
NEW: College Football head coaches on the hot seat via @AndyStaples🔥 Do
you agree?🤔https://t.co/Dp3g5hmQKb pic.twitter.com/WMeE8UksF1
— On3 (@On3) July 21, 2026
Other notable coaches listed include USC's Lincoln Riley and Maryland's Mike Locksley. Even Fickell's replacement at Cincinnati, Scott Satterfield, is on the hot seat.
With so much riding on this season, Fickell and Co. hit the NCAA Transfer Portal to compile what is ranked as the nation’s 38th-best class, comprising stars Colton Joseph and Abu Sama III. According to ESPN’s FPI metric, the Badgers are rated as the Big Ten’s 11th-best team, which is given a 69.2% chance of making a bowl game, which would be Fickell’s second in his time with the program.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Luke Fickell's hot seat ranking proves Wisconsin still has work to do
