Wisconsin legend Melvin Gordon reacts to Chris McIntosh's decision to retain Luke Fickell

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Wisconsin legend Melvin Gordon has offered his thoughts on athletic director Chris McIntosh’s recent confirmation that head coach Luke Fickell will return for the 2026 season.

The Badger great and two-time NFL Pro Bowl running back shares the sentiment of many in both the local and national media, wondering if Fickell and McIntosh can correct the program’s current course.

“I don’t know. That’s why everyone’s a little bit frustrated,” Gordon said to ESPN Madison, when asked what the program can do to turn itself around. “You know me, I was talking myself the whole nine. I had the utmost faith. I still have to believe that we will get it done. But boy, it’s tough right now. I wear the gear, I’m getting talked to crazy. It’s been a tough couple of years as a Badger. I don’t know what we need to do at this point.”

The running back continued to highlight a clear dynamic: McIntosh’s decision mostly ties his tenure as athletic director to Fickell’s as head football coach. If the team’s 2026 output follows the trajectory of its 2025 campaign, which appears destined for a 2-10 finish, there’s a real chance Wisconsin could make major moves at both positions.

“It sounds like Chris (McIntosh) is committed to keeping him there,” Gordon continued. “I get it, that was his first big hire. If that looks bad, he looks bad. So I guess he’s throwing all the marbles in on it. Let’s just say the worst-case scenario happens and (Fickell) gets fired in three games. We’re not trying to hear that. Nobody cares about that at this point, because that’ll feel like ‘oh, you should’ve already done that.’ I think he’s throwing all the marbles in if he wants to bring him back. I do understand about the recruits, because it’s hard to get recruits if you don’t have clarity on the situation.”

For more, here are Gordon’s full comments:

Wisconsin continues its 2025 season with a home matchup against Washington on Saturday. Fickell and his team would build significant momentum with an upset victory; the Badgers haven’t defeated a Power Four opponent in more than a calendar year.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin great Melvin Gordon reaction Luke Fickell return 2026 season

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