Recently Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh sat down to discuss the changes that have occurred under Wisconsin Football coach Luke Fickell.
The Athletic had the chance to sit down with Chris McIntosh ahead of the 2023 football season to discuss the biggest changes the program has faced. Longtime former coach Paul Chryst spent years developing a stable, successful culture within the Wisconsin football program. After being hired in November, coach Luke Fickell has already transformed the attitude and demeanor of the team in a short time.
Wisconsin Football: Staff Changes, Recruiting Upgrades, and Off-Season Transfers Highlighted Under Luke Fickell
MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
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As McIntosh sat down with The Athletic to speak about Wisconsin football, he was asked a singular question regarding the team. McIntosh was asked what he felt was the most significant change under coach Luke Fickell has been for the Wisconsin football team. The athletic director paused for a second and raffled off multiple benefits that the hiring has provided for the program.
Between the complete overhaul of the Badgers staff and influx off-season transfers, it was difficult for McIntosh to pick out one specific benefit from the hiring. What McIntosh kept coming back to was the culture and the “Buy-in” that Fickell has created in such a short time. The talented head coach has already created a winning environment before officially stepping onto the field and coaching the team to a victory.
Immediately upon accepting the job as the head coach of the Wisconsin football team, Fickell quickly moved to create a staff of like-minded individuals. The hiring of both Mike Tressel and Phil Longo truly set the tone for the future of the team as Fickell began to assemble his staff. With intentions of playing rough, physical football, Fickell hired two men who reflected his ideals in their play style. In doing this, Fickell also created an environment filled with individuals who want the same thing; To Win.
Wisconsin Badgers AD McIntosh: Belief Has Been ‘Most Impressive Thing’
The Wisconsin Badgers athletic director Chris McIntosh told The Athletic that he felt the belief the players have for the staff in a short amount of time is the biggest change that has occurred under coach Fickell.
“Without that belief from the kids within our program today, all the content that has been pushed out is flat. And that’s not easy to do in a short amount of time. Basically they did that within a session of winter conditioning. That’s probably been the most impressive thing.” – Wisconsin Badgers Athletic Director Chris McIntosh Via The Athletic
McIntosh stated that Fickell accomplished plenty within the program quickly. It is not easy to take over a team following the departure of their head coach, but Fickell earned the respect of the team from the start. McIntosh also stated that he felt without Fickell and his staff, the environment of Wisconsin is much different. Since the head coach was hired last November, the team has received plenty of national attention as they look to rebuild.
The athletic director finished by stating that Fickell and his staff have become the ‘core’ of Wisconsin football. The Wisconsin Badgers football team has found the new heart of their program in their exceptional head coach.
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