The Wisconsin Badgers and head coach Luke Fickell fell to a 2-6 record after a tough loss to the Oregon Ducks last weekend, officially eliminating them from bowl contention. The season has been an evident disappointment with Pro Football Network’s playoff meter projecting a final record of 3-8.
Despite the grim outlook, Badgers athletic director Chris McIntosh has reportedly decided that Fickell will remain the head coach for the 2025-26 season, sparking intense debate about the program’s direction.
Why Is Wisconsin Sticking With Luke Fickell Amid a Disastrous Season?
During a recent episode of ESPN’s “Always College Football,” analyst Greg McElroy discussed the coaching carousel and touched on the situation in Madison after LSU fired Brian Kelly.
“Now the situation is dire. They’re 2-6, and the offense has not looked good,” McElroy explained. “They’ve had back-to-back shutout losses. There are a lot of problems with what Wisconsin has been since Luke Fickell became the head coach. He’s 15-18, hasn’t met the expectations of the program.”
The numbers back up McElroy’s assessment. According to Pro Football Network’s CFB Offense Impact meter, the Wisconsin offense is one of the worst in the country, averaging just 1.11 points per drive. The metric ranks the Badgers 209th overall this season and 995th nationally since 2019, painting a bleak picture of their performance under Fickell.
Despite these on-field struggles, the decision appears to be a financial one. “But the more you hear, it sounds like Wisconsin is leaning more towards investing heavily in its NIL, as opposed to paying a buyout,” McElroy revealed. “Which, by the way, I think is kind of wise. Given where things are right now on this carousel, I think it makes more sense to invest in a program rather than another coach.”
In November 2022, the Badgers signed Fickell to a seven-year extension, which now looks like an expensive mistake. At the end of the 2025 season, the head coach will still have four years left on his contract. According to its terms, Fickell would be owed 80% of the $31.5 million remaining, meaning Wisconsin would be on the hook for a buyout of approximately $25 million.
However, the Badgers structured the contract to soften the financial blow. The university will not owe 100% of the remaining figure and can pay the buyout monthly, making it more manageable over the next few years. Additionally, this buyout could be reduced by Fickell’s salary if he were to find a coaching job at another program. However, it’s unlikely this would significantly impact the total cost.
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McElroy questioned whether coaching was the root cause of the team’s failures. “Is Luke Fickell really the problem? Maybe,” he said. “I do think it’s a personnel issue and not being able to stay healthy issue rather than the head coach who doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
Injuries have certainly played a major role. After Wisconsin spent significant cash to lure starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. away from Maryland, he suffered a knee sprain in the season opener against Miami. A subsequent setback before the game against Maryland has kept him sidelined ever since, leaving the offense without its leader.
For now, things look dire in Wisconsin. The struggles may continue with the revelation that a coaching change is unlikely. The only glimmer of hope for fans is the administration’s plan to invest heavily in the team’s future, a strategy they hope will eventually turn the tide.
