Wisconsin tabs former Big Ten AD to replace Chris McIntosh

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Wisconsin has found its replacement for former athletics director Chris McIntosh.

On Wednesday, the Badgers named Shawn Eichorst as McIntosh's replacement. It marks a return to Madison for the Lone Rock, Wisconsin, native.

Eichorst previously served as the athletics director at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater from 1999-03. He later worked at Wisconsin in various roles from 2006-11, working his way up to deputy athletics director.

He left that gig to become the athletics director at Miami but departed after one year to take the same role at Nebraska in 2013. He was ultimately fired along with football coach Mike Riley during the 2017 season and has most recently served as the deputy athletics director at Texas.

“It is truly an honor to return home to the State of Wisconsin and to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a place and an institution that has meant so much to me and to our family for many years,” Eichorst said in a release. “Wisconsin represents everything that is great about higher education and college athletics—academic and competitive excellence, integrity, and a commitment to serving others. I am deeply grateful to interim Chancellor Wilcots and to the search committee for the confidence and trust that they have placed in me and in my vision for the future of Wisconsin Athletics.”

Eichorst is back in charge of a Big Ten athletics department, and he will likely face an important early decision regarding the football program. Coach Luke Fickell enters his fourth full season on the job and holds a 17-21 record.

A sizable buyout was enough to buy Fickell another season, but with diminishing returns since a 7-6 finish in Year 1, the Badgers likely need to get back to a bowl game at least if he is going to see Year 5 in Madison.

Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Wisconsin tabs former Big Ten AD to replace Chris McIntosh

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos