Photo by: 2026 David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications
Luke Fickell named Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week
September 28, 2026 | Football
Badgers' Head Coach earns national accolade after road win over No. 13 Penn State
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Football Head Coach Luke Fickell was named the Paul 'Bear' Bryant National Coach of the Week on Monday, Sept. 28 following the Badgers' road victory over No. 13 Penn State on Saturday night. Fickell's Badgers rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to score the program's largest comeback win on the road since 2001.
Fickell, who was the Paul Bryant National Coach of the Year in 2021 during his time at Cincinnati, has the Badgers holding a 3-1 record (1-0 Big Ten) heading into this weekend's meeting with Michigan State at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin's victory marked its first in Happy Valley since a 30-23 victory in 2003, stopping a four-game losing streak on the road in the series. The Badgers are the first Big Ten team to win on the road against a ranked opponent after trailing by 10+ points in the 4th quarter since Ohio State won on Sept. 29, 2018 at #9 Penn State.
The Badgers have faced a gauntlet over the last calendar year. Dating back to last season, 9 of Wisconsin's last 14 games have been against ranked opponents. UW has won 3 of its last 5 games against ranked teams. No FBS program has more regular season wins over ranked teams since Nov. 8, 2025 (UW's win over No. 23 Washington).
An honor for the books 👏@CoachFick has been named the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Week! pic.twitter.com/j1Vol2YH47
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) September 28, 2026
Fickell, who was the Paul Bryant National Coach of the Year in 2021 during his time at Cincinnati, has the Badgers holding a 3-1 record (1-0 Big Ten) heading into this weekend's meeting with Michigan State at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin's victory marked its first in Happy Valley since a 30-23 victory in 2003, stopping a four-game losing streak on the road in the series. The Badgers are the first Big Ten team to win on the road against a ranked opponent after trailing by 10+ points in the 4th quarter since Ohio State won on Sept. 29, 2018 at #9 Penn State.
The Badgers have faced a gauntlet over the last calendar year. Dating back to last season, 9 of Wisconsin's last 14 games have been against ranked opponents. UW has won 3 of its last 5 games against ranked teams. No FBS program has more regular season wins over ranked teams since Nov. 8, 2025 (UW's win over No. 23 Washington).
Saturday, September 26
Saturday, September 26
Saturday, September 26
Thursday, September 24
