MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers have a new football coach.

Wisconsin Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh announced the hiring of Luke Fickell as UW’s head football coach on Sunday. He is the 31st head coach in program history.

Now, he has a coaching staff to fill.

On Monday, the University of Wisconsin took one step forward in that process, posting the job openings for offensive and defensive coordinators, assistant coaches and strength coaches. The positions will remain open for at least one week until Dec. 5, per school regulations.

Defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jim Leonhard, offensive coordinator Bobby Engram and other UW coaches all have language in their contracts that tied them to former head football coach Paul Chryst, who was fired on Oct. 2. Thursday will mark 60 days since Chryst was fired, which is the amount of days assistant coaching positions last after the head coach is fired. 

Footballscoop.com reported that sources have said Fickell is expected to bring staff with him from Cincinnati, including Brady Collins, Cincinnati's head of sports performance, and Pat Lambert and Max Stienecker, recruiting staffers.

Earlier Sunday, the Associated Press reported a person with knowledge of Fickell’s decision said Fickell was leaving and veteran assistant coach Kerry Coombs was being named interim coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Per the Associated Press, Fickell informed his team on Sunday about the decision.

“I am incredibly excited to announce Luke Fickell as our new head football coach and to welcome his entire family to Madison,” McIntosh said in a statement. “Luke is one of the top football coaches in the country. He is a proven winner, recruiter and developer of players. Equally as important, he shares our values. Coach Fickell is focused on giving our student-athletes the best opportunities possible and is attuned to the changing landscape of college athletics.

“I have every confidence that he will respect and honor the foundation that has been set for our football program over the years while embracing the exciting opportunities ahead.”

The Bearcats hired him in 2016. He led Cincinnati to back-to-back 11-win campaigns in 2018 and 2019 and an undefeated regular season that culminated with a Peach Bowl berth in 2020. The following year, he guided the Bearcats to the greatest season in school history, leading them to an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Cotton Bowl and the first-ever 13-0 regular-season record in Bearcat history.

“My family and I are thrilled to join the Wisconsin family,” Fickell said in a statement. “This is a destination job at a program that I have admired from afar for years. I am in total alignment with Chris McIntosh’s vision for this program. There is a tremendous foundation here that I can’t wait to build upon. This world-class university, athletic department and passionately loyal fan base all have a strong commitment to success and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Wisconsin’s Board of Regents scheduled a special closed meeting for Sunday afternoon “to consider employment and additional compensation agreements for the UW-Madison head football coach,” according to a meeting notice posted online.

Fickell will take over for interim coach and former Badgers star player Leonhard, who replaced Chryst.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.