Adam RittenbergFeb 4, 2026, 07:09 PM ETCloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on XMultiple Authors
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Full Highlights (1:14)Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Full Highlights (1:14)
Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell, at his request, was not among the coaches to receive a customary one-year extension from the school’s athletic board Wednesday as he focuses on improved results in 2026.
Athletic director Chris McIntosh, in a statement to ESPN, said Fickell asked him not to put the extension on the table. Fickell received one-year extensions in 2023 and 2024, with his contract currently running through March 2032.
Fickell is just 17-21 with the Badgers after consecutive losing seasons, which Wisconsin had not had since 1991 and 1992.
In announcing Fickell’s return, McIntosh said Wisconsin would increase its investment toward infrastructure, staff and roster building.
“He continues to have our full support and, as we shared widely at the end of last year, Luke is making the necessary changes in the program, our department is increasing our investment and we are aligned with campus leadership in our commitment to football success,” McIntosh said in the statement.
Wisconsin’s athletic board approved one-year contract extensions Wednesday for volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield and soccer coaches Paula Wilkins and Neil Jones, keeping their deals at five years.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Full Highlights (1:14)Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Full Highlights (1:14)
Adam RittenbergFeb 4, 2026, 07:09 PM ETCloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on XMultiple Authors
CloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on X
The university awards the extensions to keep coaches’ contracts at their original lengths.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Full Highlights (1:14)