Jake Dickert emerges as potential successor for Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell faces growing scrutiny following a 0-1 start to the 2026 season. After a second-half collapse in a loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lambeau Field, reports indicate Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert is high on the list of potential targets if the university initiates a coaching search. Fickell, who took over the program after stints at Cincinnati, has struggled to sustain winning results with consecutive sub-.500 seasons. The Badgers face a difficult schedule ahead with ranked road games against Penn State and Iowa, as well as a home game against the USC Trojans. A season with six or more losses would likely jeopardize Fickell's tenure. Dickert, a Wisconsin native and former Washington State head coach, currently leads the Wake Forest program following a 9-4 record during his first season there.

• 1:44 PMYahoo Sports — CFB Rumors: Insider Names Potential Wisconsin Badgers’ HC Target as Luke Fickell Replacement