Luke Fickell spoke with reporters after spring practice on Tuesday, and a major topic of conversation was the departure of Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh. As it directly affects him, and truly, how he lost an ally in the process. Which is basically exactly what Fickell admitted in his answer about McIntosh' depature. He called it "disappointing" and said he "lost someone in his corner."
This is a pretty candid admission by Fickell. The comment was mostly received in passing, but it is a clear acknowledgment of how things have changed for Fickell and especially his 2026 season.
Luke Fickell said he learned from Chris McIntosh sometime last week that he was leaving.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) April 14, 2026
Said it’s difficult losing a friend and someone he knew was in his corner. pic.twitter.com/i7NqFRluAX
Luke Fickell has a lot more to prove in 2026 now that Chris McIntosh is gone
Related: Wisconsin Badgers fans mock congratulatory Chris McIntosh social media post
Fickell has lost two important allies in the last year: Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and Chris McIntosh. This puts what was already a hot-seat situation for Fickell even hotter. He will no longer have his two bosses saying, "This is part of the process." His 2026 season will matter far more than it would have with McIntosh in office.
His quote also adds a little bit of intrigue about how interim Marcus Sedberry sees him. While he didn't say anything specifically about Seberry, he mentioned how he can chop it up with McIntosh anytime he wants. Quickly added, "Not that I can't do that with Marcus." Which is fine, and probably just a bit tongue-in-cheek, but then he said he lost a person in his corner. As if he sees his circle shrinking.
This may not mean anything about Sedberry, but it does indicate that Fickell knows he has to prove that the football program is headed in the right direction to everyone now that McIntosh isn't there to back him up.
If the over/under was about six wins in the 2026 season for Fickell, it feels like it's now about seven or eight. Fickell now has to stand on his own two feet to show Wisconsin football is going to be okay.
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