Luke Fickell to return to Wisconsin in 2026 as Badgers make 'significant' investment

Luke Fickell is set to return as Wisconsin head coach in 2026, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed. Athletics director Chris McIntosh also told ESPN’s Pete Thamel the Badgers are making a “significant” financial investment.

Fickell has been at the center of hot seat rumors this year after another rough go in Madison. Wisconsin takes a 2-6 record into this week’s matchup against Washington and is in the midst of a six-game losing streak. On3’s Pete Nakos previously reported an idea that UW could bring Fickell back and make an investment in the transfer portal this offseason.

On the whole, Fickell has a 15-19 overall record with the Badgers. If the program was to fire him after this season, the school would owe a roughly $25 million buyout. However, McIntosh said the university is ready to further invest in football and keep Fickell for 2026, as well.

“Chancellor (Jennifer) Mnookin and I are aligned on significantly elevating investment in our program to compete at highest level,” McIntosh told ESPN. “We are willing to make an investment in infrastructure and staff. As important, is our ability to retain and recruit players in a revenue share and NIL era.”

Fickell’s tenure at Wisconsin started with a 7-6 record in his first full season after he made sweeping changes. He brought in Phil Longo as offensive coordinator, bringing an Air Raid-style offense to Madison as a result.

However, Wisconsin went 5-7 in 2024, and Longo was let go as a result. Fickell then hired Jeff Grimes away from Kansas to fill the OC role, looking to get back to the roots of the running game.

Chris McIntosh: Wisconsin’s to invest ‘on par’ with competition

With a 2-6 record, not to mention the six-game skid, all eyes were on Luke Fickell’s future. McIntosh remains confident in the former Cincinnati coach, though, and pointed out how challenging this season has been.

Going forward, though, McIntosh promised a commitment through NIL and revenue-sharing as part of the new era of college athletics. He said that investment is crucial to sustaining success, and with his confidence in Fickell to turn things around, that will be the next step toward turning things around at Wisconsin.

“Our intention is to be, in terms of our investment, on par with those that we intend to compete with,” McIntosh told ESPN. “Our expectations are to compete at the highest level in the Big Ten and beyond.”

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