Earlier today, it was reported that Max Stienecker has been hired away from the Wisconsin Badgers and is now taking the General Manager job at the USC Trojans. This is a significant loss for Luke Fickell and a program that needs to find a way to win immediately. Stienecker was to be an instrumental piece for the future of the program and was key to helping land some of the top recruits and secure pay-to-play for them.
One of those signees and now incoming freshman, Jaylen Williams, took to X and posted five broken hearts right after the news story came out.
💔💔💔💔💔
— Jaylen williams ✞ (@jay_williams55) February 4, 2025
Jaylen Williams reacts to USC hiring Max Stienecker away from Wisconsin and Luke Fickell
Williams is one of the most highly rated players in last year's recruiting cycle and a key piece to the incoming class. He has been known to be vocal on X; this is another example of him sharing the nature of the business with Badger fans. Stienecker is listed as the Director of Player Personnel on the Wisconsin Athletics website but was functioning in a General Manager role in the ever-changing nature of college athletics.
This means there was a built-in relationship with Stienecker and the current but also signees. As in the role of GM, he would help secure the funding for each player package, work to secure signatures, and be part of the overall culture of the program. As the Director of Player Personnel, he would also have consistent overlap between the players and the program.
Luke Fickell now has a new assignment this offseason- to hire a new General Manager who can help the Wisconsin Badgers football team rebound in 2025. This person will be the second most important hire in the program behind the head coach himself. While it's a behind-the-scenes role, it's instrumental in the future success of the program.