Luke Fickell’s third season at Wisconsin has gone off the rails. The Badgers are 2-6 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play, with back-to-back home shutouts against Iowa and Ohio State triggering chants of “Fire Fickell” inside Camp Randall. The offense ranks among the nation’s worst, averaging less than 13 points per game, and fans are openly questioning the program’s direction.
If Wisconsin decides to move on, these five names stand out as the most realistic options to replace Fickell at the Badgers.
| Coach | Current Role | Why They Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Leonhard | Denver Broncos Assistant HC / Defensive Pass-Game Coordinator | Former Wisconsin DC and 2022 interim HC with deep program ties and fan support |
| Lance Leipold | Kansas Head Coach | Wisconsin-Whitewater legend with proven turnaround success and in-state roots |
| Jeff Grimes | Wisconsin Offensive Coordinator | Veteran coach and logical in-house interim option |
| Dave Aranda | Baylor Head Coach | Former Wisconsin DC who knows the system and culture |
| Mike Tressel | Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator | Longtime Fickell lieutenant with continuity value and Big Ten experience |
Jim Leonhard Could be Next Wisconsin Head Coach
Leonhard is a fan favorite and the most natural replacement. The former All-American safety and longtime defensive coordinator led the Badgers as interim head coach in 2022 and now works in the NFL for the Denver Broncos as assistant head coach and defensive pass-game coordinator.
He understands the program, commands respect, and connects instantly with fans and alumni. If the job opens up, Leonhard is almost guaranteed to be Wisconsin’s first call.
Lance Leipold’s Wisconsin Ties Make Him a Logical Target to be Badgers HC
Leipold’s résumé checks every box. A Wisconsin-Whitewater legend with six Division III national titles, he’s turned Kansas into a competitive Big 12 program.
His in-state background and reputation for discipline and development fit Wisconsin’s traditional identity. Landing him would take money and timing, but he’s arguably the most complete candidate available.
Jeff Grimes Offers the Simplest Interim Option to Replace Fickell
As Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator, Grimes would be the easiest in-season solution if Fickell were dismissed before year’s end.
The 30-year veteran has coordinated at Baylor, BYU, and Kansas and is respected for his physical, balanced approach. He’s not a long-term fix but could steady the locker room and give the offense a clearer identity while the administration retools.
Dave Aranda’s Defensive Pedigree Still Resonates
Aranda’s time as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator from 2013–15 set the foundation for years of elite play on that side of the ball. Now leading Baylor, he brings Power Five experience and a calm, analytical coaching style.
If Wisconsin wants to restore its defensive edge and reunite with a proven system architect, Aranda would make sense. The issue would be trying to lure him from Baylor.
Mike Tressel Represents Continuity and Stability
Tressel, Wisconsin’s current defensive coordinator, has been with Fickell since their Cincinnati days and knows the roster better than anyone. He’s a trusted voice, an experienced play-caller, and a respected teacher.
If Wisconsin prefers to stabilize from within while planning a longer search, Tressel could hold the reins temporarily.
Could Wisconsin Fire Fickell?
Fickell’s $25 million buyout still makes a midseason firing improbable, but patience is thinning. Wisconsin hasn’t won a conference game in a year, and the Badgers’ identity, built for decades on defense and efficiency, has evaporated.
If things don’t turn around soon, names like Leonhard, Leipold, and Aranda will dominate every conversation about what comes next in Madison.
