Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell ready to address arrogance, delusion of tenure

When Luke Fickell arrived in Madison to become the head coach of the University of Wisconsin football program in 2022, he was tasked with upholding the tradition of success that had long been associated with the Badgers. But his journey has not been without its bumps. The 2024 season exposed glaring flaws in the team’s culture, attitude, and approach. Despite past accomplishments, it became evident that something deeper was at play: the Badgers’ success was no longer guaranteed, and arrogance and complacency had quietly settled in.

In response, Coach Fickell has made it clear that he’s ready to address the issues that have caused the program to underperform. His frank acknowledgment of the “delusion of tenure” and the arrogance that had taken root within the team is a bold move, and one that suggests a desire to recalibrate the program’s mindset. This article explores how Fickell is addressing these concerns head-on and reshaping the team’s culture.

The Weight of Wisconsin Football’s Legacy

The University of Wisconsin football program is steeped in history. Under former head coach Barry Alvarez, the Badgers became a perennial force in the Big Ten, known for their physical style of play, a robust offensive line, and a strong defensive unit. Alvarez built a program that was more than just a contender; it was a consistent powerhouse that could be counted on to appear in bowl games and challenge for conference championships.

Following Alvarez’s departure, his successors, most notably Bret Bielema, Gary Andersen, and Paul Chryst, were able to continue the program’s strong traditions. Even in the midst of conference realignment and the rise of powerhouse programs from other regions of the country, Wisconsin remained competitive. The Badgers’ ability to recruit high-quality players, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, ensured that the team stayed relevant.

However, over time, complacency began to creep in. The Wisconsin program became synonymous with “consistency” rather than innovation. Many of the players and coaches began to rest on the laurels of past success, and the assumption grew that simply wearing the Wisconsin uniform would guarantee success. This type of mentality often leads to arrogance, as the program began to take its legacy for granted.

The Turning Point: The 2024 Season

Coach Fickell’s first two seasons were characterized by optimism and the promise of a new era. Yet, the 2024 season was a sobering wake-up call. The Badgers’ start was strong enough, with a 5-2 record, but it quickly spiraled into a five-game losing streak, marking an abrupt and painful end to their 22-year bowl streak. As the Badgers finished the season with a disappointing 5-7 record, the reality of their shortcomings became undeniable.

This slide was not just a matter of on-field performance. It signified something deeper within the program: the team’s culture and mindset were not aligned with the demands of modern college football. More importantly, the arrogance and sense of entitlement that had been allowed to grow under the surface needed to be addressed. Players and coaches alike had become comfortable, relying on past successes and assuming that things would always work out.

Fickell, ever the realist, wasn’t afraid to take responsibility for this. “I wasn’t honest enough with us to say, ‘Look guys, we’re not better than so-and-so,’” Fickell admitted, reflecting on the program’s state. He acknowledged that this was a failure on his part as a coach—he hadn’t been as honest and forthright as he needed to be with his players. The honesty, he noted, was crucial for moving forward.

The Delusion of Tenure

Fickell’s willingness to address the “delusion of tenure” was perhaps the most powerful statement he made after the 2024 season’s end. This phrase encapsulated the attitude of entitlement that had crept into the program. There is a danger in believing that a program’s historical success will automatically translate into future victories. The assumption that Wisconsin football would always remain relevant, merely because of its past reputation, became a form of complacency. Fickell quickly recognized that the culture of the program had to evolve. The work ethic, preparation, and mentality that had sustained Wisconsin for years had been compromised by a false sense of security. Fickell had to shake this illusion to instill a more grounded and competitive spirit in the team.

His acknowledgment of the delusion was crucial. For years, the program had been buoyed by its historical success and reputation. But in the modern college football landscape, where every team is fighting to stay relevant and where resources are being pumped into programs at a higher level than ever before, it’s easy for success to be mistaken as a birthright. Fickell, however, understands that the reality is far different. No team is guaranteed anything. Success, he believes, requires constant effort, innovation, and humility.

Addressing Arrogance: A Change in Culture

Another of Fickell’s key reflections was the arrogance that had overtaken the team. Arrogance often develops in successful teams that have experienced prolonged periods of dominance. Wisconsin football had reached a point where players and coaches alike believed that they were above the competition. Fickell pinpointed this as a critical issue, saying that the team’s mindset needed to be recalibrated.

To tackle this issue, Fickell has made it clear that humility is going to be a cornerstone of his program moving forward. In his own words, he emphasized, “Let’s humble ourselves and let’s go and work our way back.” This humility, he believes, is not just about accepting criticism or acknowledging faults, but about approaching every game and every opponent with respect and a sense of gratitude. The Badgers had to re-learn how to work for success, rather than expecting it to come because of their historical standing.

Fickell’s approach is not merely about words but action. The 2024 season was a teaching moment for the players, and Fickell was adamant that they understand the importance of staying grounded and never taking success for granted. Under Fickell’s guidance, the program began to focus on rebuilding the mental aspects of the game, the discipline required to be successful week in and week out, and the importance of playing with a chip on the shoulder—a sense that they had something to prove.

Bold Moves: A New Offensive Approach

Fickell was not afraid to make bold changes to restore the team’s culture and performance. One of the most notable decisions was the mid-season firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo. This move was seen as an effort to shake up the program’s offensive strategy and refocus the team on what it does best—running the football and dominating the line of scrimmage.

While the decision was controversial, it was a necessary one. Fickell recognized that the offensive system was not working, and the team’s struggles were a direct result of this misalignment. Fickell’s willingness to make this tough decision demonstrated his commitment to making changes that were in the best interest of the team’s future success. It also sent a strong message that complacency would not be tolerated.

Looking to the Future: Building a Resilient Program

While the 2024 season was disappointing, Fickell remains optimistic about the future. His commitment to rebuilding the program’s culture is unwavering. He understands that the road to success is not an easy one, but he is determined to restore Wisconsin to its rightful place among the elite programs in the Big Ten.

Fickell’s focus for the future is clear: discipline, work ethic, humility, and a commitment to continuous improvement. He believes that these qualities, combined with the talent that Wisconsin has recruited, will create a program that is poised for long-term success. His strategy is not just about winning games—it’s about building a team that plays with purpose, discipline, and a never-satisfied mentality.

This approach will take time, but the changes that Fickell is making to address arrogance, delusion, and complacency are the foundation of a program that will one day return to greatness. The 2024 season may have been a setback, but it is also the beginning of a new era for Wisconsin football—one that values hard work, humility, and constant progress.