Luke Fickell

As the current head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, Luke Fickell has a rich history in football that spans various key roles. His journey began as a nose guard at Ohio State University from 1993 to 1996, and he served as an assistant coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and even took up the mantle of interim head coach for the 2011 season, demonstrating his capacity to adapt and lead in challenging circumstances. It was his performance at the University of Cincinnati, however, where he served as the head football coach from 2016 to November 2022, that truly spotlighted his ability to transform and guide a team.

Fickell's tenure at the University of Cincinnati was marked by a series of victories and accolades that underscored his leadership skills. Under his guidance, the team improved from a 4-8 record in his first season to an 11-2 record and a victory in the Military Bowl in 2018. This success continued with another 11-win season in 2019 and a perfect regular-season record in 2021, leading to the AAC Championship. Fickell's strategic approach and commitment to excellence did not go unnoticed, earning him AAC Coach of the Year three times and placing him on the watchlist for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 2020.

As a testament to his coaching prowess, Fickell was the recipient of multiple major coaching awards in 2021, including the Home Depot Coach of the Year and Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year. Notably, Fickell led the Cincinnati Bearcats to the #4 seed in the College Football Playoff in 2021, marking them as the first program outside of a "Power 5" conference to advance. In addition to his coaching successes, Fickell's overall head coaching record stands at 71-31, further cementing his reputation as a formidable force in collegiate football.