When Braedyn Locke pulled the rug on Wisconsin after two seasons, it signaled a shift in Luke Fickell’s plans. First, he brought Jeff Grimes on board as their new offensive coordinator. The Badgers then wasted no time in putting together a strong QB room. Just two weeks after Locke entered the transfer portal, they added two quarterbacks: Danny O’Neil from San Diego State and Billy Edwards from Maryland. Now Fickell’s squad looks primed to turn the tide on the field. But with that readiness comes some serious, mounting pressure.

Well, Wisconsin Badgers HC Luke Fickell just scored a one-year contract extension, running through the 2031 season. Solid move, right? Yeah, a buyout listed at more than $40 million is sure wild. But just when Fickell thought everything was falling right into place, the Badgers’ tough schedule yanked the rug right out. And The Next Round podcast hosts Ryan Brown and Lance Taylor didn’t sugarcoat anything before hitting Fickell with a brutal warning.

When discussing whose job was on the line between Hugh Freeze and Luke Fickell, Ryan Brown didn’t hesitate to name Fickell. But he explained it, saying, “I just think they’re going to—Auburn will be good enough to keep him. I think, personally, he’s good enough to keep Freeze around next year. I don’t think Wisconsin will be. That’s a brutal schedule. It will snowball on him, I think, early in mid-season, and he’ll be either a lame duck head coach that everybody knows about, or he’ll be fired mid-season.” That’s a straight-up fact.

Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin tenure hasn’t exactly ignited the program. A 12-13 record over two seasons, snapping a 22-year bowl streak, has his seat warming, though not yet burning. Despite his success building Cincinnati into a playoff contender, Fickell’s Badger teams have struggled with inconsistency, injuries, and quarterback issues, leaving fans anxious and critics questioning.

Now, year three offers a fresh start, with 25 transfers and a strong recruiting class creating a roster built in his vision. However, a brutal schedule featuring Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and Iowa presents a monumental challenge. Even bowl eligibility seems precarious. Well, who wants an HC with an $8 million salary per year with no results?

And co-host Lance Taylor also stressed the same thought process, saying, “You know, there was a brand of Wisconsin football that wasn’t fun to watch, but they were going 10–2. Now the brand of football is still bad to watch—and they’re going 5–7. So I don’t think he is going to survive this schedule.”

But despite that, Taylor still believes that Luke Fickell can survive this tough schedule. “Obviously, you know, I’d love to see Luke Fickell survive.” Yet the chances seem more favorable for Hugh Freeze than for Fickell. Taylor adds, “We definitely want to see Hugh survive. But even if Auburn goes 8–4, I think they’re going to be so much more competitive, and I think they’re going to be really tight games. So I think Freeze will survive, and I think Fickell is probably out.” But despite all the swirling doubts, Luke Fickell is still poised to make a real splash with his team.

Luke Fickell is building a strong team

Wisconsin suffered a setback this offseason when starting left tackle Kevin Heywood tore his ACL, sidelining him for all of 2025. Coach Fickell immediately turned to the transfer portal, seeking a reliable replacement for Big Ten competition. He found a gem in Davis Heinzen, a veteran lineman from Central Michigan who perfectly fits the bill.

Heinzen, a redshirt senior, brings extensive starting experience and proven success at both left guard and tackle. This versatility allows Fickell to address any line weaknesses. Heinzen is also academically accomplished, a three-time Academic All-MAC selection, and a technically sound player, consistently performing well regardless of his position.

On top of that, Heinzen’s return to his hometown of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, for his final college season feels like a full-circle moment. With his leadership, experience, and local pride, he could truly make a difference for QB Billy Edwards Jr. and bolster the offensive line’s toughness. Meanwhile, Coach Fickell’s focus extends beyond this season….

While they missed out on legacy tight end recruit Gavin Mueller to Colorado, they quickly offered 2026 prospect Nick Lautar from Lebanon, Ohio. This 6’5″ 215 lbs freak already boasts 24 offers, but the best part is he’s excited about Wisconsin’s offer and even scheduled an official visit to Madison from June 5-8. His recruitment now seems a two-horse race between Wisconsin and Cincinnati—a twist, given Fickell’s Cincinnati connections. Lautar will visit Cincinnati first, starting May 20th. So, now Badgers’ future depends on that visit.

The schedule’s a gauntlet, no doubt about it. But Luke Fickell’s burning drive means he’s ready to battle, regardless of the odds or the recruits.