Overview
- Athletic director Chris McIntosh told players Thursday that Fickell will coach the Badgers next season, ending weeks of speculation.
- The plan includes increased spending on facilities, staff and roster building through NIL, along with an ongoing analysis of every facet of the program.
- Wisconsin is 2-6 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play this season, and Fickell is 15-19 at UW with an extended skid against power-conference opponents.
- A dismissal this year would have cost more than $25 million in buyout obligations, though McIntosh said the decision was not driven by money.
- With the early signing period set for Dec. 3–5, leadership is prioritizing recruiting, player retention and offseason changes to reset the trajectory.