Wisconsin and Luke Fickell lose key staffer to USC in major blow for the Badgers

Wisconsin just took a big loss to USC in the front office as the Trojans have hired away Max Stienecker, who is considered one of the brightest young leaders in sports. He is currently listed as the director of player personnel on the Wisconsin Athletics website but functions in an ever-evolving role in college football as the general manager.

Max Stienecker, Wisconsin's General Manager has been hired by the USC Trojans

This is a big loss for Wisconsin and Luke Fickell. For Wisconsin, he was helping shape a path forward in this ever-changing world with innovative ideas and helpful insights. Navigating the new landscape of pay-to-play structures, roster limits, and other important behind-the-scenes oversight. Wisconsin Athletic's website listed his accolades as such:

"In 2023, Stienecker was named to 247Sports'; 30 Under 30 after Stienecker became the youngest director of player personnel in college football history. Additionally, Stienecker was named to On3's 2022 rising star personnel staffers you need to know. During his time in Madison, Stienecker has played a key role in roster construction, recruiting and scouting."

Wisconsin Athletics

For Fickell, it's a big loss because Stienecker was brought to Wisconsin with Fickell from Cincinnati. He was hand-picked and developed from a student assistant role in 2018. The two have worked side by side to see growth in the program. He was going to be instrumental in turning the program around with Fickell.

Now Stienecker will have to turn a different program around in the USC Trojans, who also have a head coach who is on the hot seat and will need a big 2025 to save his job. Lincoln Riley came into USC with all the praise and respect from his tenure in Oklahoma, but he fell on his face in Los Angeles. Steinecker and Riley will be working to change that narrative on the West Coast.