Wisconsin Badgers Hire New Director of Scouting and Player Personnel

Darius Hicks joins the Badgers after previously holding the same role at Michigan State

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Wisconsin Badgers football program has hired Darius Hicks as their new director of scouting and player personnel. Hicks previously held the same position at Michigan State. The Badgers are looking to reshape their roster after a disappointing 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten) season in 2025.

Why it matters

The Badgers are undergoing a pivotal offseason as they look to bounce back from a down year. Hiring an experienced director of scouting and player personnel like Hicks is a key move to help rebuild the roster through recruiting and player personnel decisions.

The details

Hicks has previous experience in college football, including roles as a defensive analyst at Michigan State, assistant defensive backs and cornerbacks coach at Southeast Missouri State, and various coaching positions at his alma mater Morningside University and Emporia State. He will take over a position previously held by Ethan Russo, who spent just one year with the Badgers before leaving for Oklahoma State.

  • Hicks was hired by the Badgers on March 6, 2026.

The players

Darius Hicks

The new director of scouting and player personnel for the Wisconsin Badgers football program, previously held the same role at Michigan State.

Luke Fickell

The head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers football program, who is sticking around despite the team's 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten) record in 2025.

Ethan Russo

The previous director of scouting and player personnel for the Wisconsin Badgers, who left the program after just one year to take a job at Oklahoma State.

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The takeaway

The hiring of Darius Hicks as the new director of scouting and player personnel is a key move for the Wisconsin Badgers as they look to rebuild their roster and return to their winning ways after a disappointing 2025 season.