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 said. "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.

"We have evaluated every aspect of the program, and we're prepared to execute a plan that brings us back to meeting our goals, standards, and expectations. Chancellor (Jennifer) Mnookin and I are aligned on that plan and are committed to having Wisconsin Football compete at the highest level. We will get this right and will not shy away from making any necessary changes."

The declaration comes two weeks after McIntosh said in a letter to football season ticket-holders that Wisconsin was preparing to elevate its financial investment in the sport.

Fickell is in his third full season at Wisconsin after gaining prominence at Cincinnati, where he helped the Bearcats become the first Group of Five team to make the College Football Playoff in 2021. Fickell's record was 57-18 at Cincinnati but he has gone just 15-19 at Wisconsin.

The Badgers (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) are on the verge of two straight losing seasons for the first time since 1991-92. They still have to play No. 23 Washington this Saturday and are at No. 2 Indiana the week after.

The buyout in Fickell's contract would have cost more than $25 million had he been fired after this season. And Wisconsin would have entered a crowded coaching carousel where Penn State, LSU, Florida, Arkansas, Auburn, UCLA and others will be vying for new head coaches.

--Field Level Media