Urban Meyer Claims Wisconsin Can't Afford Luke Fickell $25M Buyout Amid Losing Streak

Urban Meyer, former Ohio State head coach and current Fox Sports analyst, expressed concern about Wisconsin Badgers coach Luke Fickell's future amid the team's disappointing 2-2 start in the 2025 season. Meyer, who coached alongside Fickell at Ohio State, praised him as one of the best coaches he has known but acknowledged Wisconsin's challenges, especially after the Big Ten expansion and recent poor performances. He stated that Wisconsin likely cannot afford Fickell's $25 million buyout, making a coaching change before the end of the 2025 season highly unlikely. Despite fan calls for change following blowout losses to Alabama and Maryland, Meyer highlighted the lack of game-changing talent on the Badgers' roster and the program's diminished status in the Big Ten. Wisconsin's recent struggles include missing a bowl game for the first time in over two decades and a losing record in conference play. Meyer sympathizes with Fickell's difficulties but warns the Badgers are in trouble unless they can find a way to rebuild and regain their former identity.