Luke Fickell using last year’s setbacks as fuel for the Badgers
Wisconsin Coach Luke Fickell walks along the sideline during a timeout against Iowa Saturday November 2, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
LAS VEGAS — After leading Wisconsin to its’ first losing campaign since 2001, the third-year coach is eager to rebound this fall, and refuses to be a needle in a haystack in the Big Ten.
Life after Cincinnati, and the American Athletic Conference isn’t going well for Luke Fickell in the Big Ten. After all, he was 22-4 over his final two seasons with the Bearcats, compared to a 12-13 mark so far with the Badgers. Wisconsin hit rock bottom in 2024, so Fickell is making it a top priority to change the narrative on the program’s future after Big Ten expansion.
Not only did the Badgers end the year on a five-game losing streak, but they also had one of the league’s worst offenses. The offense had no identity, and it got so bad that Fickell had to part ways with Phil Longo. However, Fickell replaced Longo with Jeff Grimes, and is determined to raise the bar this fall.
“Last year was not the standard with the way that we finished last year,” Fickell said. “I was not brought here in any way thinking that’s what we expect at the University of Wisconsin, but I’m not here to dwell upon last year either.”
Fickell is treating the 2025 season like a fresh start, and taking a different approach. There’s something about humility that brings out the best in men, and Fickell knows he’s capable of accomplishing more in Madison. He believes learning from past mistakes, establishing leadership among the players, and trust among the coaching staff, will lead to better execution on the field.
“What last year does is it gives us an opportunity to be able to self-reflect,” he said. “It gives us an opportunity to recognize things that we need to continue to be able to change.”
The fans want the Badgers to get back to being one of the most physical teams in the league, and that’s something Fickell can’t ignore. Wisconsin built a reputation on pounding the ball, and fielding elite running backs, tight ends and offensive linemen. Although Longo’s ‘Air Raid’ offense didn’t work out, Grimes will get back to pounding the ball.
It’s still going to take time for everything to gel together, but Fickell feels he has the right pieces in place to take a big step forward. The addition of former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., should do wonders for the offense. Edwards brings valuable Big Ten experience to the quarterback room, after finishing second in the conference in passing yards per game last season.
Now it’s going to be about how deep Edwards can dive into Grimes’ playbook in fall camp, and involving the running backs more in the scheme. The chemistry on offense is looking promising so far to Fickell, and he’s enjoying the smooth transition.
“Some of the changes we had to make was to get back to what has and will continue to make Wisconsin an unbelievable place, an incredible football power and give us a chance to play for championships,” the 51-year old coach said.”
The defense should be a team strength, with several starters returning. including ballhawk Ricardo Hallman at corner. The Badgers couldn’t hold their own in the trenches last year, so improvement against the run will be vital. There’s plenty of experience and production too.
Bottom line, Fickell needs to get his mammoth offensive linemen mauling defenders at the point of attack, the ground attack controlling the pace of the game, the defense playing with some tenacity and consistent execution on special teams. That formula gave Wisconsin so much success in the past, and Fickell is confident it’s going to work again.
“We understand what being part of the Big Ten, what being part of this conference, and in order to be at the top and be at the best, you’ve got to compete, and you’ve got to beat the best.”
