Chris McIntosh's five-year tenure as Wisconsin's athletic director ended on April 13 as he accepted a new position in the Big Ten office. His leadership saw mixed results, with notable coaching hires and significant funding initiatives for athletic facilities.
McIntoshās coaching hires included Luke Fickell for football, Mike Hastings for menās hockey and Robin Pingeton for womenās basketball. Fickell has a 17-21 overall record and led theĀ BadgersĀ to their first back-to-back losing seasons since the early 1990s. Hastings recently took the Badgers to the Frozen Four before losing to Denver in the national championship, and Pingeton helped UW reach the WBIT semifinals in her first season.
McIntosh also raised funding for the Kellner Family Athletic Center, a $285 million project which partially opens this summer and will be home of the new indoor football facility, and lobbied for the recently approved legislation that will provideĀ $14.6 million in annual taxpayer funding for the UW athletic department.
Considering his entire tenure, how would you grade his performance as athletic director? We'll gather grades over the next couple days and then post the results.
Wisconsin captain Ben Dexheimer gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
Wisconsin forward Christian Fitzgerald gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
Wisconsin goaltender Daniel Hauser gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
Wisconsin goaltender Anton Castro gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game
Wisconsin forward Blake Montgomery gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
Wisconsin hockey associate head coach Todd Knott gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA championship game.
1 / 6
Wisconsin vs Denver in the 2026 Frozen Four national championship
Wisconsin captain Ben Dexheimer gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
1 / 6
Wisconsin vs Denver in the 2026 Frozen Four national championship
Wisconsin captain Ben Dexheimer gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
2 / 6
Wisconsin vs Denver in the 2026 Frozen Four national championship
Wisconsin forward Christian Fitzgerald gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
3 / 6
Wisconsin vs Denver in the 2026 Frozen Four national championship
Wisconsin goaltender Daniel Hauser gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
4 / 6
Wisconsin vs Denver in the 2026 Frozen Four national championship
Wisconsin goaltender Anton Castro gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game
5 / 6
Wisconsin vs Denver in the 2026 Frozen Four national championship
Wisconsin forward Blake Montgomery gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA hockey championship game.
6 / 6
Wisconsin vs Denver in the 2026 Frozen Four national championship
Wisconsin hockey associate head coach Todd Knott gives high fives and interacts with fans as he and the team enter T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the NCAA championship game.
Wisconsin director Chris McIntosh (left) and men's hockey coach Mike Hastings' pose for a picture after Hastings' receives a Badgers jersey during his introductory press conference Monday April 3, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin director Chris McIntosh (left) and men's hockey coach Mike Hastings' pose for a picture after Hastings' receives a Badgers jersey during his introductory press conference Monday April 3, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
What were the major achievements of Chris McIntosh as Wisconsin athletic director?
Chris McIntosh's major achievements included hiring coaches like Luke Fickell and Mike Hastings, raising funds for the $285 million Kellner Family Athletic Center, and securing $14.6 million in annual taxpayer funding for the athletic department.
Why did Chris McIntosh leave his position as Wisconsin athletic director?
Chris McIntosh left his position to take on a new role as deputy commissioner for strategy in the Big Ten office.
What was the performance record of Luke Fickell during McIntosh's tenure?
Luke Fickell had a 17-21 overall record during his time as head coach of the Wisconsin football team, leading to back-to-back losing seasons.
What is the significance of the Kellner Family Athletic Center project?
The Kellner Family Athletic Center, a $285 million project, will provide a new indoor football facility and is set to partially open this summer, enhancing Wisconsin's athletic infrastructure.
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