Latest news with #Fickell
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Pundit credits Notre Dame success to former Cincinnati assistants
The Fighting Irish can thank Cincinnati for their recent success Is Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell's success due to a bunch of former Bearcat assistants who now work in South Bend for Notre Dame? One pundit thinks so. The College Football Watcher account on X, formerly known as Twitter, suggests that Fickell has had success because Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was once the defensive coordinator there. He then lists Gino Guidugli, the current Fighting Irish quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, who was the QB coach in Cincy; wide receivers coach Mike Brown, who had that same title with the Bearcats; defensive backs coach Mike Mickens, who was the DB coach in Cincinnati and has that title plus defensive pass-game coordinator with Notre Dame; and former Fighting Irish special teams coordinator Brian Mason. Mason was the special teams coordinator at Cincinnati and is now doing the same job with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Whether or not Fickell can have success without these assistants working for him, it's clear that just about any successful head coach will develop successful assistants. At the very least, when teams win, assistants get plucked for other jobs. So it's maybe a coincidence that all these assistants worked for Notre Dame, but it's probably not a coincidence that they are good at their jobs. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What to expect from the Wisconsin Badgers in 2025
The Wisconsin Badgers will always be a hard team to figure out in the Big Ten. Are they close enough to ever turn things around? Or are they just in stasis, remaining a middling group with no desire to either push forward and improve or just enough talent so that they don't slip up? In 2024, it was more of the latter with little signs of maturity and development. With an overwhelmingly young squad, the second year of the Luke Fickell era did not gain any momentum at all. Nevertheless, 2025 at the very least looks slightly more hopeful. Maryland QB transfer Billy Edwards Jr. brings experience and key players on both sides of the ball are one year older. With a slightly more manageable schedule, it should be bowl eligibility or bust for the Badgers this season. 2024 in Review After only just barely reaching bowl eligibility in Luke Fickell's first season, the Badgers followed it up with a stinker of a 2024. Only winning three conference games was a major embarrassment. Against perhaps the three easiest opponents in the entire conference (Rutgers, Purdue, and Northwestern) to boot does not ease the sting any further for Badgers fans. Even their best loss, a 16-13 decision against Oregon, was not promising as former QB Braedyn Locke could not manage to make a play downfield big enough to hurt the Ducks late. Losing your final game of the season to one of their biggest rivals in Minnesota, to try and extend their 23-year bowl streak compounded their misery. The sobering reality for Fickell and Co. is starting to settle in. 2025 must deliver more promise and especially more commitment from the players. The Badgers have potential breakout candidates up and down the roster, especially offensively. Billy Edwards Jr. must be competent from the get-go, and all of Wisconsin's top offensive talent must produce for him as well. This operation is too close to flying off the handle early in the Luke Fickell era. Head Coach Profile There is almost certainly no doubt in people's minds that Luke Fickell should be capable of leading a Power 4 team. He was one of the most important head coaches in Group of 5 history after all. After leading the Cincinnati Bearcats to the CFP, the first time any G5 coach had ever done so, his star began to rise. So when Wisconsin came calling a couple of years later, Fickell willingly accepted the job. He actually took over during Wisconsin's bowl game in 2022, replacing Paul Chryst wth a nice bowl win over Oklahoma State. His 2023 season was a success, extending Wisconsin's bowl streak to 23 years, no matter the bowl loss to LSU. It was last year when all hell broke loose. Wisconsin started off 5-2, but off-field issues, especially amongst Fickell's staff, created a sense of turmoil. Jack Del Rio, his advisor, personally removed himself from the staff after a bizarre off-field incident. 10 games into the year, Fickell fired OC Phil Longo and was surly in response to media questions about the firing. This resulted in an epic collapse that saw the Badgers fall from the brink of bowl eligibility to 5-7. They even lost all their Big Ten rivalry trophies as well. The bottom line is that Fickell must control the chaos behind the scenes, or things could boil over quickly and affect the play of his squad. If he doesn't find that balance, he will surely be getting the hook this year. Top Offensive Player While Billy Edwards Jr. certainly brings a Big Ten pedigree to the Badgers that they may desperately need, Vinny Anthony has been a paragon of consistency and the primary beacon of hope for the Wisconsin offense. Any positive production from the wide receiver position stems from him, and Billy Edwards must understand that very quickly. Anthony led the Badgers in receiving yards last season with 672, which is all you need to know about the state of the Badgers' receiver room. It was how he produced those yards that was most impressive. He averaged over 17 yards per catch, which hadn't been done by a Badgers receiver in over 50 yards in almost 20 years. He was also fourth in the Big Ten as a result in that category. His most impressive game last season was perhaps against Penn State, when he had a career-high seven receptions. While it was only for 68 yards, it showed his reliability and loyalty to this team. He will almost certainly be the end-all, be-all for this offense in his final season in Madison. Top Defensive Player A revamped defense could certainly see major development from all levels of the Badger defense. Yet it is one of their veterans who will be established as the overall leader of the pack. Preston Zachman, the redshirt senior who decided to come back for his extra COVID year of eligibility, is an indispensable athlete who Fickell will be glad decided on a return to Madison. His career-high 58 tackles, three of which were tackles for loss, are an elite number for the safety position. His team-leading two interceptions, while a disappointing figure, are still a sign of his leadership and coverage abilities. His four pass breakups show his ranginess and length at an integral position for the Badgers. Most impressively, his eight tackles in consecutive weeks against Penn State and Iowa show he doesn't shy away from physicality. Fickell will be saddened when he leaves because he truly embodies the type of player Wisconsin is looking for: physical, dedicated, and most importantly, loyal. Not many players will come along throughout this journey for the Badgers. Fans, coaches, and teammates alike must cherish him while he lasts. 2025 Schedule Preview There are tough opponents on Wisconsin's schedule, with some even saying that it's one of the toughest schedules any team in the Big Ten could face. On the other hand, this steadily improving team feels like they can at the very least disrupt the status quo if not themselves make some noise in the conference. Bowl eligibility will be a big ask with this slate, but not out of the question. After two cupcakes, Wisconsin gets one of the toughest non-conference opponents in the Big Ten this year as they go down to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. While the Tide will be breaking in a replacement for quarterback Jalen Milroe, it's certainly not an easy task. Their toughest portion of the schedule comes midseason, starting in Week 5 when they welcome Bryce Underwood and Michigan and ending in Week 9 when they take on Dan Lanning's Ducks in Eugene. Sandwiched in between are what should be a much more daunting Iowa team, especially offensively, and reigning champions Ohio State. This slate of games will make or break this season in Madison. Another intriguing three-game slate for the Badgers is their end to the season. Indiana and Illinois will be CFP hopefuls yet again and will be looking to roll through the final weeks of their campaigns. Minnesota at the end of the season is simply more for pride and gaining back the Paul Bunyan Axe trophy. Overall , 7-5 is there for the taking should players on the precipice of stardom for the Badgers have breakout years and the rest of this young squad grows up fast. But it is never easy in the Big Ten, and Fickell and Co. are finding that out equally as quickly. Should the Badgers continue to come up short in conference play, it won't be looking pretty for the Fickell regime in Madison.
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: NCAA penalizes Wisconsin football for recruiting violations
Report: NCAA penalizes Wisconsin football for recruiting violations The NCAA is penalizing Wisconsin football for recruiting infractions that occurred during the spring of 2023. BadgerExtra's Colten Bartholomew was the first to report the news. Bartholomew writes that "nine members of Luke Fickell's staff violated a since-changed NCAA rule by making phone calls to recruits before the recruiting calendar allowed them to be made." Notably, that rule changed in August 2023, just months after the reported violations. Among those specifically penalized are Fickell, outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell, former defensive line coach Greg Scruggs and former recruiting lead Max Stienecker. The infraction is a Level II violation. Both Scruggs and Stienecker received one-year show-cause orders, while Fickell and Mitchell will not be permitted to contact high school recruits from June 15-21. For more specifics on the violations and their fallout, here is Bartholomew's full report. Notably, neither of the two staffers who received show causes still works for Wisconsin. Scruggs left the program after the 2023 campaign for the same title at Big Ten rival Michigan, though he resigned just months into the job after an OWI arrest. He is now an assistant defensive line coach with the San Francisco 49ers. Stienecker, meanwhile, left Wisconsin in February to become USC's general manager. He and his recruiting staff currently have the Trojans atop the class of 2026 national rankings with 28 total commits, 18 blue-chip players and one five-star. Wisconsin finished the 2024 recruiting cycle, the one that included the reported infractions, with arguably the best class in program history. Among the program's 22 signees, 11 were blue-chip players. Four-star recruits offensive tackle Kevin Heywood, defensive lineman Ernest Willor Jr., running back Dilin Jones and defensive lineman Dillan Johnson headline a group that finished ranked No. 25 nationally and No. 7 in the Big Ten Conference. The 2025 season should see a significant portion of that class enter the team's two-deep depth chart. Running backs Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree, offensive lineman Emerson Mandell, wide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson, defensive lineman Dillan Johnson and linebacker Thomas Heiberger should all see the field. Heywood was also in line to start for the team at left tackle, though he is projected to miss the season after an ACL injury. Furthermore, cornerback Xavier Lucas already excelled as a true freshman in 2024, though he transferred to Miami in the offseason. The Badgers' class of 2026, which has yet to see a blue-chip player added, currently ranks No. 40 nationally. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Where Wisconsin football landed in ESPN's updated FPI for 2025 season
Where Wisconsin football landed in ESPN's updated FPI for 2025 season The Wisconsin Badgers landed at No. 9 among Big Ten teams in ESPN's latest FPI rankings for the 2025 season on Tuesday. The metric, which evaluates a college football team's potential, placed the Badgers behind the Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Oregon Ducks, Michigan Wolverines, USC Trojans, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Washington Huskies and Indiana Hoosiers. The outlet also considers UW the No. 38 overall team in the country and projects its win-loss mark at 5.6-6.5. Notably, the Badgers were placed ahead of the No. 39-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, No. 43-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers, No. 44-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini and No. 61-ranked Maryland Terrapins on the hierarchy. While Iowa and Minnesota handed the Badgers losses a season ago, Luke Fickell's program will line up against all four programs during the 2025 slate. If one were to simply abide by ESPN's metrics, Wisconsin would finish with a 6-6 mark following the 2025 season with losses to Alabama, the No. 3 overall team in the FPI ranking, Michigan (No. 17), Ohio State (No. 4), Oregon (No. 6), Washington (No. 27) and Indiana (No. 31). Miami (Ohio), Wisconsin's first opponent, holds the No. 79 distinction, while Middle Tennessee, Wisconsin's second foe, is down at No. 134. While numbers and projections are one discussion, what occurs on the field is certainly the more prudent component for the Badgers this coming season. Wisconsin went 3-6 in Big Ten play a season ago with its only wins against Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern, three of the lowest-rated teams in the conference. In addition to last season's finish, Wisconsin will welcome a new offensive coordinator, system and quarterback in the third full season under Fickell. Jeff Grimes, former Kansas offensive coordinator, will be calling plays for former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., leading what projects to be a traditional ground-and-pound approach. A gauntlet of games against Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Ohio State doesn't help Wisconsin's chances of finishing with a winning record. UW's standing in ESPN's FPI will receive clarity beginning with Week 4 against the Maryland Terrapins on Sept. 20. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football class of 2026 commit begins June with notable SEC official visit
Wisconsin football class of 2026 commit begins June with notable SEC official visit Wisconsin football class of 2026 commit, defensive lineman Carmelow Reed, is taking an official visit to Ole Miss this weekend, according to Rivals' Adam Gorney. The 6-foot-7 defensive lineman committed to the Badgers on April 7, immediately becoming the highest-rated recruit in their class of 2026. 247Sports ranks the Olympia Fields, Illinois, product as the No. 531 overall player in the class of 2026, the No. 63 defensive lineman and the No. 13 player from his home state. Notably, Reed chose the Badgers over other offers from LSU, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri and Ole Miss. He is one of several players scheduled to visit Madison the weekend of June 6. Before making that trip, he began his official visit schedule with a notable SEC trip. As a junior with Olympia Fields, Reed logged 33 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery in eight games. As of May 30, he is Wisconsin's sole defensive line commit for the class of 2026. That class currently ranks No. 44 in the nation with seven players committed. If Reed were to decommit and head to Ole Miss, the class' ranking would drop substantially. Furthermore, the defensive front seven is a position group of significance for Luke Fickell, as he has honed in on top targets including McHale Blade, Kobe Cherry, Djidjou Bah, Arthur Scott, and Jermaine Polk. Wisconsin is in search of its third straight recruiting finish in the top 25, something Fickell leaned into when he assumed head coaching responsibilities in 2022. Given his team's 5-7 finish a season ago, offseason coaching changes and a new offensive system, Fickell and his staff may need to work harder to sell the program as a top destination. As of May 30, Reed remains a Badger. His status is one to monitor in the coming weeks. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
