MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Chris McIntosh plans to step down as Wisconsin’s athletic director to take a job with the Big Ten, according to published reports.
Sports Business Journal and the Wisconsin State Journal reported McIntosh’s decision on Sunday. SBJ said McIntosh has accepted a position as the Big Ten’s deputy commissioner for strategy.
“On one hand, it’s very difficult for me to transition away from a place that’s so important to me,” McIntosh said in a statement to SBJ. “On the other hand, it’s an incredible honor and an incredible opportunity to be able to transition to a position at the Big Ten and to work for an incredible leader like Commissioner (Tony) Petitti and alongside some top-tier, very capable members of the Big Ten as we navigate a dynamic period for college athletics.”
Wisconsin didn’t respond to a message seeking confirmation of McIntosh’s departure.
McIntosh, 49, took over as athletic director in the summer of 2021 after the retirement of Barry Alvarez. He played football for the Badgers and was part of two Rose Bowl-winning teams coached by Alvarez.
McIntosh was named associate athletic director in 2014. He became deputy athletic director under Alvarez in 2017.
He fired football coach Paul Chryst midway through the 2023 season and hired Luke Fickell to replace him. Fickell has gone 17-21, including a 4-8 finish last year and a 5-7 mark in 2024 that snapped what had been a Power Four-leading streak of 22 consecutive winning seasons.
Also in 2023, McIntosh fired men’s hockey coach Tony Granato and brought in Mike Hastings from Minnesota State. Wisconsin reached the Frozen Four this season and lost 2-1 to Denver in the national title game Saturday.
During McIntosh’s tenure, Wisconsin has won three national championships in women’s hockey (2023, 2025 and 2026) and one in women’s volleyball (2021).
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