CBS Sports Ranks Wisconsin Coach Luke Fickell's Seat as Warming After 4-8 Season

Fickell received public backing from AD Chris McIntosh, but the team's struggles have put pressure on the $54 million coach.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Wisconsin Badgers had a disappointing 4-8 season, leaving many questioning whether head coach Luke Fickell is the right person to lead the program forward. Despite receiving public support from athletic director Chris McIntosh, Fickell was ranked as the second coach most in need of a turnaround in 2026 by CBS Sports, highlighting his struggles against Big Ten opponents and ranked teams as well as recruiting challenges.

Why it matters

Wisconsin is one of the premier programs in the Big Ten, and the team's struggles under Fickell have raised concerns about the direction of the football program. With high expectations and a passionate fan base, Fickell will be under immense pressure to deliver a winning season and show progress in 2026.

The details

In his third season as Wisconsin's head coach, Fickell led the team to a 4-8 record, missing out on a bowl game. Despite this, athletic director Chris McIntosh publicly backed Fickell, saying the university will provide the necessary resources and support for the team to be competitive. However, CBS Sports ranked Fickell as the second coach most in need of a turnaround in 2026, citing his 10-17 record against Big Ten opponents, 2-11 record against ranked teams, and struggles in recruiting.

  • In November 2025, AD Chris McIntosh reassured ESPN that Fickell is still the coach the university trusts to lead the football program forward.
  • The Badgers finished the 2025 season with a 4-8 record, missing out on a bowl game.

The players

Luke Fickell

The head football coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, who is entering his third season with the team after a disappointing 4-8 campaign in 2025.

Chris McIntosh

The athletic director of the University of Wisconsin, who publicly backed Fickell and said the university will provide the necessary resources and support for the team to be competitive.

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What they’re saying

“If Wisconsin is going to be as competitive as we expect, the support has to be as competitive. There's no getting around it. Our people, our fans, are passionate about Wisconsin football. I'd have it no other way. A successful football program is important to the university, the state and our lettermen.”

— Chris McIntosh, Athletic Director, University of Wisconsin (ESPN)

“Is it too little, too late for Fickell? Like others facing pressure in 2026, he received public backing from his athletic director toward the tail end of last season after Wisconsin chose not to absorb a sizable buyout and move on from the third-year coach after his second consecutive lackluster campaign. Since taking over at Wisconsin, Fickell is 10-17 against Big Ten opponents, has struggled against ranked competition (2-11) and failed to move the needle in recruiting.”

— Brad Crawford (CBS Sports)

“These guys still go out. They do everything you ask them to do. If we'd asked them to practice four days during the bye week, they'd practice all four days during the bye week. But I think that's what's going to be challenged, and has been challenged and will continue to be challenged, is our ability to say, look, guys, we know we have to get better. There's a process to getting better. We have to see some of those steps to getting better.”

— Luke Fickell, Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers (N/A)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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