Badger of Honor
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Barry Alvarez changing his tune on Luke Fickell is what Wisconsin needs right now

It's time for Badgers fans everywhere to back Fickell.
ByBraulio Perez|
Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Former Wisconsin Badgers athletic director and football head coach Barry Alvarez looks on during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Former Wisconsin Badgers athletic director and football head coach Barry Alvarez looks on during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

What can Wisconsin football fans expect out of Luke Fickell this season? There are no excuses for the Badgers head coach, as he's entering a crucial Year 3 leading the team in Madison. Ahead of the season-opener, there are plenty of people who have already written him off.

Legendary Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez doesn't want to hear about that. In case you missed it, Alvarez has put his full support behind Fickell with Week 1 a little over a week away. This is also great, seeing as Alvarez previously wasn't as bullish on Fickell like everyone would have hoped. The fact that he's changed his tone a little bit is exactly what the fanbase needs to get behind.

Barry Alvarez shows his full support for Wisconsin football HC Luke Fickell

"I think we have the right person in charge," Alvarez said while on ESPN Madison. "I think Luke (Fickell) understands the Big Ten. He knows how to win. He's the right guy to be here. I really feel good about that. I like the players in the program, I like the attitude."

In case some of you forgot, this wasn't quite how Alvarez was feeling during the winter. Back in February, the former Wisconsin leader didn't hesitate in saying that he didn't like the state that the Wisconsin football program was in.

He added that the program needed to bounce back and get to where it belongs. Those were some powerful words at the time from Alvarez and people couldn't help but think it was a bit of a shot at Fickell for having such a horrific campaign leading the squad.

In 2024, the Badgers went 5-7 and ended their 22-year streak of putting together winning seasons. It's unacceptable for this team to finish with five wins in a year and not play in a bowl game. That's not the standard for Badger football. Fickell knows this, which is why there's extra pressure on him to deliver in '25 and make sure Wisconsin isn't embarrassed again. Plenty of Wisconsin supporters don't think he's the right man for the job, but again, Alvarez is there to support him in any way that he can.

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