Wisconsin Football Faces Uncertain Future After AD Departure

With Chris McIntosh leaving for the Big Ten, Luke Fickell loses his top advocate in Madison.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:10pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the Wisconsin football program in a state of transition, with overlapping planes of muted earth tones and blues, hinting at the tension and uncertainty surrounding the team's leadership.The departure of Wisconsin's athletic director leaves the future of the Badgers' football program in a state of flux.Madison Today

In a surprise move, Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh announced he will step down to join the Big Ten conference as Deputy Commissioner for Strategy. McIntosh's departure is a major blow for embattled Badgers football coach Luke Fickell, who had McIntosh's public support despite a disastrous 4-8 season in 2025. With McIntosh gone, Fickell's future in Madison is now in serious jeopardy, as the new athletic director will have no personal ties to the head coach and will judge him solely on the team's performance in 2026.

Why it matters

McIntosh's exit removes Fickell's top advocate within the Wisconsin athletic department, putting immense pressure on the head coach to turn the program around in 2026 or risk being fired. The new athletic director will have the power to either keep Fickell or completely overhaul the football program based on next season's results.

The details

McIntosh, a former All-American tackle at Wisconsin, had been the athletic director since 2021. He publicly backed Fickell after a poor 2025 season and pledged more financial support for the program, keeping the head coach in his job despite growing impatience from fans and boosters. However, with McIntosh now leaving for the Big Ten, Fickell has lost his top advocate, and the new athletic director will have no personal ties to the embattled coach.

  • On April 13, 2026, Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh announced he will step down and join the Big Ten conference as Deputy Commissioner for Strategy.
  • McIntosh had been Wisconsin's athletic director since 2021.

The players

Chris McIntosh

The former All-American tackle at Wisconsin who had been the athletic director since 2021, before announcing he will step down to join the Big Ten conference as Deputy Commissioner for Strategy.

Luke Fickell

The head coach of the Wisconsin football team, who is now facing an uncertain future after losing his top advocate in athletic director Chris McIntosh.

Paul Chryst

The former Wisconsin football coach who was surprisingly fired about a year into his tenure, leading to the hiring of Luke Fickell.

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What’s next

The new Wisconsin athletic director will have to evaluate the state of the football program and decide whether to keep Luke Fickell as head coach or make a change based on the team's performance in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

With Chris McIntosh's departure, Luke Fickell has lost his top advocate within the Wisconsin athletic department, putting immense pressure on the head coach to turn the program around in 2026 or risk being fired by the new athletic director, who will have no personal ties to Fickell.