2025 Wisconsin Season Thread

[FearlessF]

There’s a small part of me that doesn’t think this is high-end trolling, and it would be amazing to explain that, but I’m pretty sure it’s just trolling. And I am good-naturedly angry at it.

high-end???

[ManHawk]

I don't read that much sports media, but went down a little rabbit hole today on the Athletic. Stewart Mandel's words:
"Fickell, on the other hand, is a dead man walking. The third-year coach is 15-18 overall, 8-14 in the Big Ten, and his 2025 team is truly terrible." (Emphasis added)

That last part is the fundamental indictment of Fickell's time in Wisconsin. This team stinks. And it's not just because they have a tough schedule. That's the point of all my ramblings above. They could be 2-5/0-4 and could have looked ok getting there, and we'd all be focused on how tough the schedule was, and that Maryland was unexpectedly good, so the close loss was forgivable. But, that's not what happened. They have looked hopeless/inept.

I've watched, cheered for, and even coached teams that were competitive, but snake bitten. That's not these Badgers.

Yes,  that sounds like you are describing Penn St,  good competive team that is snake-bit.

[bayareabadger]

Actually, I thought you Badgers all still held King Barry in such high regard that you'd think it was a good idea...

I actually wouldn’t mind it. I think he’s good enough a coach selection that it would be a useful bridge if you wanted to shit can everyone.

but the A.D. that I want them to fire was his former player and protégé. So I’m basically sure he wouldn’t do it.

[bayareabadger]

He doesn't want to be hired as HC of ANY other program.

He's got a good job out in Denver now. He belongs in the NFL.

I imagine he could maybe hold a job at some point, but it’s not gonna be under the current admin, and I wouldn’t put him in for such a shit show of a rebuild.

[847badgerfan]

Barry made a poor decision on Mac.

He made a poor decision on Andersen. Took the easy way out with Chryst.

Men's hockey and WBB had sucked forever under his watch. He didn't want to keep Gard but got forced into it.

His record as an AD is... not good. 

Aside from fundraising, that is. He was a wizard there.

[847badgerfan]

I imagine he could maybe hold a job at some point, but it’s not gonna be under the current admin, and I wouldn’t put him in for such a shit show of a rebuild.

As long as Mac is here, you can rule him completely out.

[847badgerfan]

Yeah, just keep doing what you're doing... Asswipes.

Wisconsin football's losing streak could cost millions, study finds | News | channel3000.com
Wisconsin football's losing streak could cost millions, study finds | News | channel3000.com

[bayareabadger]

Although I generally think these struggles are gonna cause other problems, those kinds of studies are notorious for overstating the impact of things

[847badgerfan]

It is estimated that UW will lose 20K season ticket holders, and most of the premium boxes/seats.

Luxury boxes cost $20K/year, plus the price of tickets.

Season tickets cost $500, plus mandatory "donation" of $400 (2016 figures, my last year).

Do the math, and don't forget to add parking, concessions, merchandise, and voluntary donations (I stopped mine).

Bottom line is that it will be more expensive to keep him than to fire him.

[Brutus Buckeye]

"If you listen to the fans, you'll be sitting up there with them"

[bayareabadger]

It is estimated that UW will lose 20K season ticket holders, and most of the premium boxes/seats.

Luxury boxes cost $20K/year, plus the price of tickets.

Season tickets cost $500, plus mandatory "donation" of $400 (2016 figures, my last year).

Do the math, and don't forget to add parking, concessions, merchandise, and voluntary donations (I stopped mine).

Bottom line is that it will be more expensive to keep him than to fire him.

On that key point, we are in strong agreement.

going to be very interesting to see what kind of direction they can go in and do go in when they have an actual search.

[Honestbuckeye]

On that key point, we are in strong agreement.

going to be very interesting to see what kind of direction they can go in and do go in when they have an actual search.

Been a tough stretch.   Alabama, Michigan, OSU, Indiana, Oregon- all in the same season.  Not to mention Iowa when they are good and Illinois. 

And all without your best QB.  

Not making excuses for Fickell.  He has flopped    
But- he has proven he can absolutely coach, and next years’ schedule substantially easier.  No OSU, Michigan, Indiana- or Oregon I believe.  

I don’t think it’s a bad move.   Hit the portal hard, get your QB and see what happens.  

[MrNubbz]

Ya QB and O-line injuries/woes coupled with that schedule puts you in the Captains chair on the Titanic

[bayareabadger]

Been a tough stretch.  Alabama, Michigan, OSU, Indiana, Oregon- all in the same season.  Not to mention Iowa when they are good and Illinois.

And all without your best QB. 

Not making excuses for Fickell.  He has flopped   
But- he has proven he can absolutely coach, and next years’ schedule substantially easier.  No OSU, Michigan, Indiana- or Oregon I believe. 

I don’t think it’s a bad move.  Hit the portal hard, get your QB and see what happens. 

If there were signs of progress, I could buy that.

but it’s not just a talent problem. The talent isn’t being coached up very well. The offensive line is a mess. None of the backs are making many pop plays, even when they get the chance. The defense is still bad at tackling and undisciplined structurally.

maybe he’s proven he absolutely CAN coach, but across this tenure, he’s shown he often can’t coach well enough.