Fickell dismissed Longo on Nov. 17, the day after Wisconsin lost at home to top-ranked Oregon. In that game, the Badgers managed only three points in the second half, marking their third straight defeat. The team went on to lose its final two games of the season as well, resulting in Wisconsin’s first five-game losing streak since 1991.
Fickell and others within the program believe that Grimes’ current offensive system is a much better fit for the team’s personnel and aligns more closely with Fickell’s vision. At least one Big Ten assistant coach agrees.
“Grimes is a great addition,” the coach said. “They need to get back to playing Wisconsin football, and they have a young backfield that can make that happen.”
During Longo’s time leading the offense in 2023, the Badgers averaged 23.5 points per game—their lowest average since 2004. At the time of Longo’s firing, the team was averaging 23.9 points per game.
The defense’s success this fall will depend on a philosophical and mindset shift.
Athlon predicts Wisconsin will finish 13th in the Big Ten this season, missing out on a bowl game for the second straight year—something that hasn’t happened in Madison since 1991-92. Athlon has Penn State winning the Big Ten and advancing to the College Football Playoff national title game.
Senior offensive tackle Riley Mahlman is the only Badger named to Athlon’s preseason All-Big Ten first team.
“They have some talent, but they’re still very young,” the coach added. “Fickell is the right guy, but offensive problems have been so glaring that it’s understandable why some might question the overall direction. I think they just pushed too hard to modernize the system.”
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