Luke Fickell earns $7.8 million in 2026 at Wisconsin on a contract that runs through the 2031 season. Wisconsin hired him from Cincinnati in November 2022 on a seven year deal averaging $7.8 million, and gave him one year extensions after each of his first two seasons. After a 4 and 8 season in 2025 left him 17 and 21 in Madison, Fickell asked athletic director Chris McIntosh not to put forward an extension this year.
| 2026 salary | $7.8 million, after a $100,000 increase on April 1 |
| If Wisconsin fires him | About $21.3 million during the 2026 season, dropping to about $19.2 million after it. He must look for another coaching job, and any new salary reduces the payments |
| If he leaves | $8 million before March 31, 2027, paid within 120 days |
| Bonuses | Up to $1.45 million for a playoff berth and deep postseason run |
| Record | 17 and 21 at Wisconsin through 2025, after 57 and 18 at Cincinnati |
How It Compares
| Coach | School | 2026 pay |
|---|---|---|
| Bret Bielema | Illinois | About $8.4 million with retention bonus |
| Luke Fickell | Wisconsin | $7.8 million |
| Jedd Fisch | Washington | About $7.6 million |
Contract terms are from the contract obtained through open records by News 3 Now, the Associated Press and Fox Sports. The full national list is on our college football coaching salaries page.
The Bottom Line
Luke Fickell makes $7.8 million in 2026 on a Wisconsin contract through 2031, with a buyout of about $21.3 million during this season that falls to about $19.2 million afterward, offset by any new job. Follow the Badgers on the Wisconsin football schedule and Wisconsin score today.