Amid a crowded coaching market, Wisconsin has opted not to enter that fray.

On Thursday, athletics director Chris McIntosh told ESPN's Pete Thamel that Luke Fickell will return as the Badgers' coach in 2026. It had been heavily speculated during Wisconsin's 2-6 start that Fickell would be fired at some point in 2025, but he'll get another shot with increased financial investment, per McIntosh.

"Chancellor (Jennifer) Mnookin and I are aligned on significantly elevating investment in our program to compete at highest level," McIntosh told ESPN. "We are willing to make an investment in infrastructure and staff. As important, is our ability to retain and recruit players in a revenue share and NIL era."

Fickell, who is now in his third full season with the Badgers, is just 15-19 in Madison. After a 7-6 season and a trip to the ReliaQuest Bowl in Year 1, Wisconsin regressed to 5-7 and missed a bowl last season. Fickell's team is currently 2-6 and is still searching for its first Big Ten win as it has been shut out twice in conference play so far.

Wisconsin extended Fickell by one year this past offseason, and if it wanted to get out of his contract — which now runs through 2031 — it would require a sizable buyout of roughly $25 million.

Two other Big Ten jobs — Penn State and UCLA — are already open, and nine total power conference programs are currently looking for coaches, including four in the SEC. We're gearing up for what could be the wildest coaching carousel cycle in recent memory, but it won't include Wisconsin, as the Badgers are giving Fickell a fourth season to try to figure things out.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Luke Fickell to return as Wisconsin's coach in 2026

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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