While the beatdown was occurring on the field during Wisconsin's 34-0 loss to No. 1 Ohio State, head coach Luke Fickell was taking heat off the field as well.
NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler reported during the game that Fickell had been denying access to scouts throughout the season. He said that the only way league scouts have been able to see Badger players is during the games. After the game, though, Fickell said this isn't the reality.
"No, we have NFL scouts there almost every single day," said Fickell. "My goodness, we don't even have much of a restriction. We've got other things to worry about. I don't want to get into some Bill Belichick type of scouting situation. That's the least of our worries. They can ask all questions, visit with too many people at times, but they are more than welcome."
Luke Fickell avoids PR disaster after latest report
It would certainly be odd for Fickell to be denying his players to be seen by scouts, and would surely be another strike against him in an already tumultuous tenure. While the Badgers aren't necessarily loaded with NFL talent, there is still plenty of opportunity to latch on in the league as an undrafted free agent. Joe Huber, a UDFA for the Minnesota Vikings, was the first Badger rookie to start a game this season.
Fickell is already on razor-thin ice, and am unpopular move like Brugler reported may have been the nail in the coffin for him had it been true. While it seems like Wisconsin has restricted scouts access at times, Fickell maintains that they can mostly come and go as they please. While he may not enjoy being compared to Belichick odd management style, he and the former NFL coach are both stuck at two wins so far this season.