Badgers Fans React to Wisconsin Hire of Luke Fickell as Head Coach

The Wisconsin Badgers fandom was shook to its core earlier today. Reports have broken that the university will not be hiring Jim Leonhard as head coach, which was previously believed to be the case. Instead, Wisconsin will reportedly hire Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell as the new program’s new leader.

Related: Who Is Luke Fickell? Meet the New Badgers Head Football Coach

Understandably, this news was met with a flurry of reactions from Badgers fans on Twitter. Some were excited that athletic director Chris McIntosh has chosen a high-profile candidate. Others were disappointed by the apparent disrespect to Jim Leonhard.

Related: Badgers Linebacker Nick Herbig Has Strong Words for Wisconsin Athletics

Fans Supporting the Wisconsin Badgers Hiring of Luke Fickell

The Wisconsin Badgers have qualified for a Bowl Game for 21 consecutive seasons. That being said, they have not taken the next step to be on the level of Michigan or Ohio State. There are many fans who believe that hiring outside of the program, particularly with a candidate as renowned as Luke Fickell, will help Wisconsin take that next step.

Waking up this morning and seeing that the Badgers are hiring Luke Fickell pic.twitter.com/nvVGqhTWbX

— Steve (@S_Bro_24) November 27, 2022

If Luke Fickell is signing w/Wisconsin that’s a monster hire for the Badgers.

Fickell gets to keep doing everything he’s doing now w/double the resources and clout. pic.twitter.com/tHeDLASG2R

— Mark Schipper – 5th Down CFB (@5thDownCFB) November 27, 2022

*looks at Cincinnati’s recruiting class*
oh? pic.twitter.com/DGpfYsjRxm

— Nathan (@NathanJH31) November 27, 2022

Have to imagine the #Badgers wanted a bigger emphasis on recruiting. UC ranked in the top 20 nationally for 2022-2023. pic.twitter.com/8c5b7Kb22q

— Brandon Sneide 🎙 (@Brandon_Sneide) November 27, 2022

Chris McIntosh:

– Told the B1G to pound sand with Gard's fine during the Michigan mele.
– Fired Chryst after five games in 2022
– Went and got the #Badgers a home run hire.

Stones.

— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) November 27, 2022

Wisconsin Badgers Fans that Were Disappointed Jim Leonhard Did Not Get the Job

As exciting as it is that such a high-profile coach was interested in coming to Wisconsin, it is equally disappointing that Jim Leonhard did not get hired. This is a man who has turned down numerous other jobs, including defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, to stay at Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin can no longer allow sentiment to stand in the way of moving the program forward. That being said, it was a sad day for Jim Leonhard.

Jim Leonhard appreciation post.

Thank you Jim for all that you have done for this program and best of luck wherever you end up!

Love,
Badger nation pic.twitter.com/ShVLgjeY6P

— Coach Riley (@BadgersRiley) November 27, 2022

My heart breaks for Jim Leonhard. The man bleeds Badgers football and did the best he could in a really difficult position. I’d love to see him back as DC next year, but how realistic is that? pic.twitter.com/y8MkjJoNv4

— Coach Riley (@BadgersRiley) November 27, 2022

If people knew @jimleonhard behind the scenes, the love for the program/players/families/alums, what he’s had to navigate through the years on staff, what he’s turned down to stay, and the vision he had for @BadgerFootball you’d realize just how gut wrenching today is. #Badgers

— Joel Nellis (@Mr_Nellis) November 27, 2022

Some of the players of the Wisconsin #Badgers are starting to show their opinion via social media on the university reportedly choosing not to take the interim tag off of Jim Leonhard. pic.twitter.com/IrNjM73cFN

— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) November 27, 2022

Thoughts on the Leonhard job:

1. Feel terrible for Jim Leonhard. Was dealt a bad hand after the Chryst firing and did what he could.

2. Losing the axe had to be the final straw.

3. Fickell is the best of the two and comes with a ton of success and a CFP approach last season.

— Chris Buboltz (@ChrisBuboltz) November 27, 2022

(Tbh I feel bad for Jim Leonhard)

— Sam Kuffel (@SamKuffelWx) November 27, 2022

One thing that is important to note in all of these tweets is this: Jim Leonhard’s dedication to Wisconsin was never in question. It is more than okay to be disappointed that it did not work out. However, Wisconsin needs a new voice, an outside voice. Luke Fickell is going to be the one to take Badgers football to the next level.

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