Wisconsin awarded head coach Luke Fickell with a 1-year contract extension on Wednesday, the school announced.

The extension was approved by the UW Athletic Board. Fickell’s deal now runs through March 31, 2032. Wisconsin is coming off a 5-7 season that snapped its streak of 22 consecutive bowl appearances. At 13-13 through 2-plus seasons with Wisconsin, many believe Fickell to be on the hot seat entering 2025.

Wednesday’s extension seems to be more of a formality than any sort of commentary on his job performance.

According to Lake Geneva News, UW’s athletic department routinely hands out 1-year contract extensions in order to keep coaching contracts at their full length. Fickell signed a 7-year deal in November of 2022 and got a 1-year contract extension last January.

The language of his contract calls for an annual 1-year extension so long as he is judged by the athletic director to have exhibited “satisfactory performance,” according to the outlet.

He is also reportedly due a $100,000 raise.

According to the USA Today coach salary database, Fickell’s $7.725 salary last season was one of the 20 highest in the FBS. His buyout on Dec. 1, 2024, stood right around $40 million.

Fickell went 7-6 in his first season with the Badgers. Last year, Wisconsin ended its season with 5 consecutive losses after a 5-2 start.

In 2025, Wisconsin will face a daunting schedule. The Badgers play at Alabama in September. A road trip to Ann Arbor on Oct. 4 begins a month that will see the Badgers play Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, and Oregon in consecutive weeks.