MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s head coach Luke Fickell expressed surprise at the necessity of making a significant change in his coaching staff while the season is still in progress. He opted to dismiss Phi Longo from his roles as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach just a day prior, but did not elaborate on the reasons behind this decision during a press conference on Monday. Fickell was also vague about his strategy for the remainder of the season.
In his comments to the team, Fickell emphasized that the focus should not be on play-calling or scoring but instead on providing effective leadership moving forward. He stated, “That’s to me what we have to do and why we’re doing it right now.” The coach did imply that the play-calling duties for the upcoming game against Nebraska would be a collective effort, leaving the specific details unsettled. Wisconsin, currently with a record of 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten, is aiming to break a three-game losing streak and achieve bowl eligibility for the 23rd year in a row.
Fickell further explained, “Why does it matter? An offense will be run and those guys will do a lot of things collaboratively together.” He downplayed the significance of who specifically calls plays, stating that the collective endeavor is more essential than pinpointing accountability on one individual. He did confirm that wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton would now take on responsibilities with the quarterbacks.
When questioned about Braedyn Locke’s status as Wisconsin’s starting quarterback for the Saturday game, Fickell asserted, “Never a doubt.” Locke, who has taken the helm after Tyler Van Dyke’s season-ending injury, has completed 55.1% of his throws, accumulating 1,514 yards, along with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Fickell acknowledged the challenges Locke has faced but reinforced the need for him to continue developing.
Statistically, Wisconsin’s offense has struggled, ranking 91st among Football Bowl Subdivision teams in average yards per game at 363.1, and tied for 97th in points scored, averaging 23.9 per game. Last season marked Fickell’s first year at the helm, where Wisconsin finished with a 7-6 record and a scoring average of 23.5 points—its lowest since 2004.
Fickell reflected on his unexpected decision to make these changes mid-season, stating, “This is never something I ever, ever envisioned doing or wanted to do — especially doing it when there’s still games be played in a season.” He believed that this shift was necessary for the program and for the players involved.
Longo faced challenges during his tenure, particularly with quarterback availability, as he did not get a chance to work uninterrupted with a starting quarterback for an entire season. Following a close 16-13 loss to the highly rated Oregon, in which they were outscored in the fourth quarter, Fickell noted that he had been contemplating a change and ultimately decided it was the right course of action.
Longo was initially recruited to Wisconsin due to his Air Raid offensive background, which suggested a more balanced attack for a program traditionally known for its strong running game. Last season, Badgers passed more than they ran for the first time since relevant records began in 1946, but they have reverted to running the ball 55.2% of the time this season.
When asked about what he had learned regarding the style of offense best suited for Wisconsin, Fickell remarked that there’s no cookie-cutter approach for different programs. He affirmed the importance of recognizing the strengths of Wisconsin’s offensive line and emphasized that this focus should be upheld in the future.
With a shift in the coaching landscape and ongoing challenges, Wisconsin is navigating a pivotal moment in its football season. The implications of these changes will unfold in the coming weeks, as the program aims to realign and achieve its goals.