THIS IS THE BEST WE COULD HOPE FOR: MARK MY WORDS – The Best is Yet to Come for Wisconsin Badgers Athletic Director Chris McIntosh….

In the ever-turbulent world of college athletics, where revenue-sharing settlements, NIL chaos, and conference realignments dominate headlines, stability in leadership is a rare commodity. For the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Athletic Director Chris McIntosh has emerged as a steady hand navigating these choppy waters. Appointed in July 2021 after succeeding legendary AD Barry Alvarez, McIntosh – a former Badgers All-American offensive tackle and NFL player – has faced his share of scrutiny. Yet, as the Badgers athletic program looks ahead, there’s growing optimism: the best is indeed yet to come under McIntosh’s watch.

McIntosh’s journey back to Madison is the stuff of Badger lore. A Pewaukee native who starred on Wisconsin’s back-to-back Rose Bowl teams in 1998 and 1999, earning consensus All-American honors, McIntosh returned to the athletic department in 2014 after business ventures and a brief NFL stint with the Seattle Seahawks. Groomed as Alvarez’s deputy, he was the natural choice to lead when Alvarez retired. Since taking the helm, McIntosh has overseen a department that prioritizes student-athlete welfare while chasing excellence.

His achievements speak volumes. In just over four years, Wisconsin has captured national championships in women’s volleyball (2021) and women’s hockey (2023 and 2025), along with 12 conference titles across sports. High academic marks – a 992 multiyear Academic Progress Rate, well above the national average – reflect his emphasis on holistic development. Bold hires, like Mike Hastings for men’s hockey and Robin Pingeton for women’s basketball, have injected new energy. And in 2024, the university rewarded his vision with a five-year contract extension through 2029, complete with a salary bump to align with Big Ten peers.

Of course, no AD’s tenure is without challenges, and McIntosh’s has been tested most prominently by football. The 2025 season was a tough one for the Badgers, finishing 4-8 amid a disappointing Big Ten campaign. The midseason firing of Paul Chryst in 2022 and hiring of Luke Fickell drew mixed reactions, and this year’s struggles – including shutout losses and fan frustration – put McIntosh in the spotlight. Yet, he stood firm, publicly backing Fickell and committing to increased investment in recruiting, retention, staffing, and infrastructure. Mega-donor Ted Kellner echoed this, projecting Wisconsin’s football budget to rise into the top third of the conference next year.

This resilience is McIntosh’s hallmark. In an open letter to fans during the season’s low points, he acknowledged shortcomings but reaffirmed his belief in the program’s potential. “I bleed red and white,” he wrote, pledging unwavering pursuit of championship-caliber teams. With new facilities like an indoor practice building underway and adaptations to the post-House v. NCAA landscape (including revenue sharing), McIntosh is positioning Wisconsin to thrive, not just survive.

Critics point to football’s dip as a stain, but broader success tells a different story. Non-revenue sports are excelling, partnerships like the extended Under Armour deal are strong, and strategic planning focuses on data, technology, and engagement. As college athletics evolves rapidly, McIntosh’s former-athlete perspective and business acumen provide a unique edge.

Mark my words: Chris McIntosh’s leadership is building toward sustained excellence. The turbulence of 2025 may feel like a touchdown in the wrong end zone now, but with his vision, resources flowing in, and a commitment to Badger traditions, brighter days – and more championships – are on the horizon. On, Wisconsin! The best is yet to come.