Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh's Shocking Move: What This Means for the Big Ten and YOU!

MADISON, Wis. — In a significant shift for Wisconsin athletics, Chris McIntosh has announced his resignation as the university's athletic director to take on the role of deputy commissioner for strategy at the Big Ten Conference. The announcement came from Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti on Monday, following reports from the Wisconsin State Journal and Sports Business Journal. McIntosh will officially begin his new position on May 1.

In a heartfelt letter to the Wisconsin community, McIntosh expressed his deep connection to the university and acknowledged the difficulty of leaving such an esteemed organization. “There is never a good time to leave an organization, especially one where I feel so connected and where there is more great work to be done,” he wrote. He emphasized that he wasn't actively seeking a new position but viewed the opportunity with the Big Ten as a chance to shape the future of the conference, including initiatives that would directly impact Wisconsin.

McIntosh's departure marks a new chapter not only for him but also for Wisconsin athletics, as Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced that Marcus Sedberry, the university's deputy athletic director and chief operating officer, will serve as the interim athletic director. With Mnookin also set to leave for Columbia University where she will become president on July 1, the university is poised for significant leadership changes.

Since taking over as Wisconsin’s athletic director in the summer of 2021, McIntosh has made notable decisions that have reshaped the athletic landscape. He succeeded the legendary Barry Alvarez, under whom McIntosh played as an offensive tackle, contributing to two Rose Bowl championship teams. McIntosh returned to Wisconsin in 2014 as an associate athletic director and quickly made his mark by firing football coach Paul Chryst mid-season in 2022 and hiring Luke Fickell from Cincinnati. Fickell's tenure has been tumultuous, with a disappointing record of 17-21 and a 4-8 finish in 2023, which broke Wisconsin's streak of 22 consecutive winning seasons.

Despite these challenges, McIntosh committed to enhancing the football program, promising greater financial investment and facilitating the signing of 34 transfers this offseason, including 27 from other Football Bowl Subdivision schools. His decisive moves extended beyond football; he also fired Tony Granato as men's hockey coach and hired Mike Hastings, who subsequently led the team to the Frozen Four, where they narrowly lost to Denver in the national championship game.

Under McIntosh's leadership, Wisconsin has celebrated significant athletic achievements, including three national championships in women's ice hockey (2023, 2025, and 2026) and one in women's volleyball (2021). During his tenure, the university produced five individual NCAA champions and secured 13 Big Ten team titles. Notably, Wisconsin's overall student-athlete graduation success rate has reached an impressive 91%, with record highs in each of the last eight years, a testament to McIntosh's commitment to both athletic and academic excellence.

“Chris has contributed much to our campus and to the broader community,” Chancellor Mnookin remarked in her letter to the Wisconsin community. “Under his leadership of Wisconsin Athletics, student-athletes have excelled both athletically and academically.”

As McIntosh prepares for his next endeavor with the Big Ten Conference, he leaves behind a legacy of both challenges and triumphs, with the potential for further impact at the conference level. His new role will involve advising Commissioner Petitti and leading overall strategy development for the conference, ensuring that the insights he gained at Wisconsin continue to influence the future of collegiate athletics.