NCAAF Here's how social media is reacting to Wisconsin's decision to hire Luke Fickell as its next head football coach
The reactions on Luke Fickell, and not Jim Leonhard, set to become the next head football coach at Wisconsin, are pouring in across social media.
Many are stunned by the hire, with plenty praising the move, while others are surprised by UW deciding not to go with Leonhard, the hometown player turned interim head coach.
Here's a sampling of the reaction on Wisconsin turning to the 49-year-old Fickell, who led Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff last season and was a former longtime coordinator at Ohio State.
All of these things can be true:
• Wisconsin is one of the best jobs in the country
• Luke Fickell is an excellent hire and one of the best coaches in the sport
• 6-6 is never going to be good enough
• Jim Leonhard deserved better than how this process played out— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) November 27, 2022
Wisconsin Football needed to evolve. It needed to think bigger. It needed fresh, aggressive leadership. If the players are upset, I get it. No one dislikes Jim Leonhard. But Fickell immediately raises the bar. His hiring is the most un-Wisconsin thing they’ve ever done. 👍
— Doug Russell (@DougRussell) November 27, 2022
Bummed for Leonhard, but this is a HUGE get for Wisconsin. Can’t wait to see what he can do for this program. It’s a great day to be a Badger👐#OnWisconsin🦡 https://t.co/N94K1Wbz8B
— 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞🧀 (@MkeBrewMike) November 27, 2022
Home run hire for the Badgers!
My heart hurts for Jimmy though. A true Badger through and through. Worked his whole life for this moment. https://t.co/HSL8CKbKkE— Cory Kundert (@CKundert10) November 27, 2022
Chris McIntosh being applauded for the bold hire, going against the 'status quo,' including from a couple former Badgers basketball players
Chris McIntosh means BUSINESS!!!
Not easy to go against status quo at Wisconsin… This is ballsy and I think it’s home run.— Ben Brust (@BenBrust) November 27, 2022
Chris McIntosh:
- Told the B1G to pound sand with Gard's fine during the Michigan mele.
- Fired Chryst after five games in 2022
- Went and got the #Badgers a home run hire.
Stones.— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) November 27, 2022
It’s great for the program. It’s against the “status quo” which will be hard for some badger fans. But if you don’t change with the times you get left. https://t.co/0RIUdWgSe7
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) November 27, 2022
Former Wisconsin Athletic Director and football coach Barry Alvarez reacts to the decision to hire Luke Fickell
Former Wisconsin AD and Head Football Coach Barry Alvarez just shared his thoughts with me on the hiring of Luke Fickell as the next HC for @BadgerFootball
On Fickell-- "It's a home run hire."
He also added on Jim Leonhard- "Jimmy's done a great job."— Mike Heller (@HellerSports) November 27, 2022
University of Wisconsin Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin calls the Luke Fickell hire 'transformative'
I am thrilled with our hire of Coach Luke Fickell, a transformative hire for @badgerfootball.
He shares UW values, appreciates the importance of the college experience for student-athletes and can build our program to even greater heights. Welcome to Wisconsin, @CoachFick! 1/3— Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin (@uwchancellor) November 27, 2022
What's next for Jim Leonhard?
I’m very surprised this is actually happening. I really thought @jimleonhard was going to get the @BadgerFootball head coaching job. Players respect him and the WI native loves this program. https://t.co/8DuURTLrGm
— Stephanie Sutton (@Steph__Sutton) November 27, 2022
Floored by this.
Related note: A lot of schools should be on the phone to Jim Leonhard right now https://t.co/opHJ5otugp— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 27, 2022
Wisconsin has gone outside the House of Barry. Takes guts. Basically kicks Jim Leonhard to the curb tho. Stunner. https://t.co/iDeSp10ClY
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 27, 2022
If Jim Leonhard doesn't return to Wisconsin, could he revisit that offer from the Green Bay Packers?
Jim Leonhard may be leaving Madison, but let’s not let him leave the state of Wisconsin. There’s a pretty nice job about to open up for him in Northeast Wisconsin. https://t.co/QtQ5JGZvV9
— PackersHistory.com (@PackersHistory1) November 27, 2022
Leonhard quits. Matt fires Barry. Leonhard becomes DC of the Green Bay Packers.
Both Wisconsin teams prosper, the end. https://t.co/YkQqPzTkLJ— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) November 27, 2022
A school record nine Cincinnati Bearcats were selected in the 2022 NFL draft. How will recruiting change in Madison?
WOW… Luke Fickell had the luxury of being picky on his next job. Great hire by Wisconsin
Think Wisconsin will be able to recruit better than they have ever before https://t.co/4r369jwvAT— Tyler Vesely (@TylerVesely) November 27, 2022
Huge hire for the Badgers
Fick can recruit it, and his style is perfect for Wisconsin and the B1G https://t.co/LKiIOx8YnL— The Victory Bell (@VictoryBellOSU) November 27, 2022
What does the hire mean for star running back Braelon Allen? He previously said as long as Leonhard was the head coach he would be at Wisconsin.
How long before the news breaks that Braelon Allen is going to transfer to Michigan?! https://t.co/VOvv51UpFU
— Zach Pellowski (@TheBigPellowski) November 27, 2022
Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig: 'LMAOOOOOO!' or in other words he's 'laughing my (expletive) off'
LMAOOOOOO!
— Nick Herbig (@nickherbig_) November 27, 2022
Former Wisconsin Badgers players are divided on the Luke Fickell hire
Luke Fickell is huge for this program! It is now time to EXPECT greatness!
— Travis Beckum (@TravisBeckum47) November 27, 2022
Losing Jim Leonard will go down as one of the biggest losses in Wisconsin football history. His knowledge/feel for the game along with being able to relate to players was the best I’ve ever seen.
— Troy Fumagalli (@TroyFumagalli) November 27, 2022
Losing jimmy Leonhard will be the worse decision Wisconsin will ever make 🤷🏽♂️ I said what I said
— Eric Burrell (@EricBurrell_) November 27, 2022
Jimmy stayed loyal even when he had lots of other job offers over the past three years… Slap to the face smh
— Faion Hicks (@Faion_Hicks) November 27, 2022
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Twitter reacts to Luke Fickell Wisconsin football coaching news
