Luke Fickell buyout: How much would it cost Wisconsin football to fire coach?

Luke Fickell buyout: How much would it cost Wisconsin football to fire coach?

Key points

• 6, Fickell's record at Wisconsin is now 17-22 and 1-12 against ranked opponents.
• Of note: The final two years of his contract, for the 2030 and 2031 seasons, do not count toward that buyout.
• Fickell did not receive a customary one-year extension on his contract after the 2025 season, reducing the remaining length of his contract to six years, through 2031.
• John Steppe from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joins the podcast this week to support the guys preview the Notre Dame vs.
• Luke Fickell and Wisconsin football have once again concluded up on the wrong side of a high-profile game, dropping their 2026 season opener vs.

Luke Fickell buyout: How much would it cost Wisconsin football to fire coach? Zac Al-Khateeb USA TODAY NETWORK.

Pod of Gold 9/2: Looking ahead to Notre Dame football vs. Wisconsin.

John Steppe from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joins the podcast this week to support the guys preview the Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin football season opener!

Luke Fickell and Wisconsin football have once again concluded up on the wrong side of a high-profile game, dropping their 2026 season opener vs. No. 5 Notre Dame, 41-13.

Meanwhile, the latest defeat drops the fourth-year Wisconsin coach's record to 17-22, with each defeat raising the pressure on his performance in Madison – particularly against ranked opponents. After the loss to the Fighting Irish, Fickell's Badgers are 1-12 against Top 25 teams.

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin: Irish dominate second half in Shamrock Series win.

It remains to be seen whether Fickell can turn his team around and avoid a third consecutive losing season. The schedule doesn't feature another team as high in the polls as Notre Dame, but does have three more ranked opponents in No. 14 Southern California, No. 17 Penn State and No. 22 Iowa.

As well as his contract details, with those teams on the horizon and Fickell's record looming, here's a look at what it would cost for Wisconsin to fire him this season. Luke Fickell buyout at Wisconsin.

According to a copy of Fickell's contract, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Wisconsin would owe Fickell either $6.48 million or 80% of his remaining total compensation under terms of his initial contract and extra compensation agreement – whichever is higher at the time he is fired. That original contract runs through March 31, 2030.

If Wisconsin were to fire him without cause on Dec. 1, 2026, he would be owed the latter. It would total $21.28 million. That figure would growth if Fickell is let go before that date.

Of note: The final two years of his contract, for the 2030 and 2031 seasons, do not count toward that buyout. Luke Fickell contract at Wisconsin.

According to Fickell's initial contract and extra compensation agreement, he is paid $3 million annually by the University of Wisconsin. He additionally receives further compensation from the University of Wisconsin Foundation – $4.8 million in 2026. That total increases by $100, 000 every year.

Here's a look at his annual salary for the remainder of his contract, beginning with 2026. Luke Fickell record at Wisconsin.

With the loss on Sept. 6, Fickell's record at Wisconsin is now 17-22 and 1-12 against ranked opponents. Fickell additionally has a 10-17 record in Sizeable Ten play.

Conversely, Fickell's predecessor at Wisconsin, Paul Chryst, had a 67-26 record and 43-18 mark in Major Ten play in seven-plus seasons; he was fired after a 2-3 start in 2022. He had three double digit-win seasons in a row to start his tenure. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around luke Fickell buyout: How much would it cost Wisconsin football to fire point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.