Wisconsin already has a strange tradition in its athletic department to perform yearly extensions every year for all its coaches. However, it took an extra strange shift yesterday when Luke Fickell's name didn't appear in the fall coaches yearly extension list. Later, Chris McIntosh came out and said it was actually Fickell's decision not to receive it, and that feels off.
Who turns down a raise and a job extension? There's absolutely no reason not to take it unless something is not being said. It could be that Wisconsin told him it's a prove-it year and they "mutually" agreed to this, even though it was mostly Chris McIntosh. Or could it be that Fickell is trying to find goodwill among the department and among Wisconsin fans?
Chris McIntosh explains why Luke Fickell turned down his extension
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It just feels highly unlikely that Fickell spoke with his agent and decided not to accept a one-year extension that would benefit him regardless of how the season goes.
Wisconsin's athletic director, Chris McIntosh, has a full quote about Fickell's denial, which you can read here. However, there are some highlights that may help fans read between the lines. It starts straightforward: "In December, shortly after the 2025 season ended, Luke Fickell requested that I not put forward a contract extension for consideration this year."
He goes on to say, "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." Listing literally everyone from fans to alumni to the entire state.
McIntosh finishes by voicing his support of Fickell again and how he sees the decisions that have been made this offseason as "necessary."
There's more to the story to Luke Fickell's turning down of his extension
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It's that middle section that makes you wonder if truly Fickell decided to not only earn some goodwill among the fanbase. "I don't deserve a raise, so I shouldn't get one." He knows how much scorn he took last year when the extension happened. He decided not to let that mistake happen again. That making this decision would maybe help create some momentum.
McIntosh also mentions his competitive nature, implying that Fickell decided to bet on himself. Is there a bigger negotiation down the road if and when Fickell turns the program around? Probably, that might have been part of the convo. Could it also be that some of that money that would have been in a raise helped him with his roster? Also, it could be.
Either way, it feels a bit off, and there is certainly more happening behind the scenes than what we can see or read.