Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh said football coach Luke Fickell and the Badgers “deserve all our support” despite the program falling “well short of our standards.”
McIntosh released his statement Monday, two days after the Badgers (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) suffered their fifth straight loss — and second straight shutout — in a 34-0 home defeat against No. 1 Ohio State.
Fickell, 52, is 15-18 since replacing Paul Chryst in November 2022.
“I share in the disappointment with this football season to date; it has fallen well short of our standards,” McIntosh said. “At Wisconsin, we do not shy away from setting lofty expectations — for our teams, our coaches, and for myself. We embrace them and accept the responsibility of meeting those goals. While our coaches, staff and student-athletes continue to demonstrate the work ethic and values that represent UW Football, the results simply are not where any of us want them to be.
“Coach Fickell sees the potential in what this team can be, as do I, and he shares the same disappointment and frustration. Our student-athletes continue to stand and fight with character and pride as they battle through this moment of adversity, and they deserve all our support.”
In his message to “Badger Nation,” McIntosh also vowed to increase the financial investment in the program and its infrastructure, staffing and student-athlete recruiting and retention.
“I bleed red and white, and I will not rest in the pursuit of our goals: fielding championship-caliber teams and delivering the pride and joy of success to a new generation of Badgers. You have my unrelenting commitment to do what is necessary to make that happen.”
The Badgers will owe Fickell a reported buyout of $25.4 million if they part ways after the 2025 season.
Fickell compiled a 57-18 record at Cincinnati from 2017-22 before coming to Madison, earning consensus Coach of the Year honors after a 13-1 season in 2021.
Wisconsin’s season continues Saturday with a trip to No. 6 Oregon (6-1, 3-1).