Luke Fickell, Max Stienecker rapidly rebuilding football culture at Wisconsin

After finishing their first season at Wisconsin with a 7-6 record, Luke Fickell and Max Stienecker face significant challenges heading into their second year together. To rebuild the once highly competitive program, many big moves need to be made to contend in the new-look Big Ten .

The first big move in Madison was promoting Stienecker, 24 years old, to general manager, making him the youngest GM among Power Four conference teams. Elevating Stienecker was, in part, a recognition of his strong efforts in his previous role as director of recruiting strategy — where he was also the youngest to hold that position (22 years old) among Power Four conference teams.

Stienecker and Fickell share a strong professional history, having worked together in Cincinnati from 2018-22. Both played a crucial role in the program's success, earning the Bearcats their first-ever 13-win season and College Football Playoff appearance . They were the first non-Power Five team to achieve that mark. The combination of Stienecker and Fickell has already worked to raise recruiting strength for Wisconsin.

In former head coach Paul Chryst's final years in Madison, the Badgers ranked 41st nationally in 2022 with three four-star recruits. In 2023, they ranked 40th, totaling just one four-star recruit. Since Fickell and Stienecker's arrival, they've been 25th nationally in 2024 , with eight four-stars and they're currently 23rd nationally in 2025 with three, four-star recruits.

In the 2025 class, Wisconsin has secured a commitment from composite four-star wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. , the son of four-time NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver T.Y. Hilton . He is the first composite four-star wide receiver recruit for Wisconsin since 2017.

The Badgers' recruiting success extends to the transfer portal as well, landing three four-stars for the 2024 season: No. 17-ranked quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (Miami), No. 3-ranked linebacker transfer Tackett Curtis (USC) and No.16-ranked edge defender transfer John Pius (William & Mary).

With the new-look Big Ten Conference, Wisconsin faces a formidable schedule this season, starting with an early season home game at Camp Randall Stadium against SEC powerhouse, Alabama. Following their bye week after facing the Crimson Tide, the Badgers head west to face USC.

Their conference schedule also includes challenging matchups against new conference member Oregon and perennial Big Ten title contender Penn State, both at home, as well as an away game against another frequent championship contender, Iowa.

It's a daunting slate, but guided by a staff with College Football Playoff experience, the future of Wisconsin football appears promising.