In a shocking turn of events, Wisconsin Badgers’ head coach Luke Fickell has told the school that he will be denying an extension as the head coach. The news, which was announced Wednesday, has left many fans stunned.
Here are the full details.
Badgers’ Luke Fickell Announces He Won’t Accept Extension With Program
In a report by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the 52-year-old head coach will not be extending at Wisconsin:
Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell, at his request, was not among the coaches to receive a customary one-year extension from the school’s athletic board Wednesday as he focuses on improved results in 2026.
The university awards the extensions to keep coaches’ contracts at their original lengths.
Athletic director Chris McIntosh, in a statement to ESPN, said Fickell asked him not to put the extension on the table. Fickell received one-year extensions in 2023 and 2024, with his contract currently running through March 2032.
Fickell is just 17-21 with the Badgers after consecutive losing seasons, which Wisconsin had not had since 1991 and 1992.
“I respect his request and determined that the current terms of Luke’s contract will be maintained,” McIntosh said in the statement. “Luke is completely focused on a successful 2026 campaign. There is no one more competitive than Luke, and he holds himself to the highest standards. He is committed to meeting and exceeding the expectations of everyone connected to Wisconsin — his own, the team’s, the university’s, alumni, supporters, fans, and the entire state.”
McIntosh, who hired Fickell in late 2022 and awarded him a seven-year contract, said in November that the coach would return in 2026 despite a six-game losing streak that included consecutive home shutouts against Iowa and Ohio State.
Luke Fickell was hired as the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s head football coach in 2023, replacing Paul Chryst. He is entering his fourth full season in 2026, despite a disappointing 4-8 record in 2025.
Athletic director Chris McIntosh confirmed in November 2025 that Fickell would return for the 2026 season, stating:
“Luke is completely focused on a successful 2026 campaign. There is no one more competitive than Luke, and he holds himself to the highest standards.”
Fickell did not receive his customary one-year contract extension following the 2025 season (at his own request), but this does not affect his status as head coach — his contract currently runs through March 2032.
Overall record at Wisconsin (2023–2025): 17–21, with a 7–6 mark in 2023 (ReliaQuest Bowl loss) and 5-7 in 2024.
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