Luke Fickell contract buyout 2024: How much does Wisconsin owe its head coach? Closer look at Badgers' Week 3 game

After leading the Wisconsin football program to a winning 7-6 season in his first year, Luke Fickell raised expectations among fans this season. However, their plans took a big hit after Alabama crushed them 42-10 on Saturday.

This is their first loss of the season after previously winning against the Western Michigan Broncos (28-14) and South Dakota (27-13) in Week 1 and Week 2, respectively. So what if Wisconsin wants to do away with their coach? What would it cost them? Let's find out.

How much is Luke Fickell's contract buyout in 2024?

The two-time AAC champion coach signed a seven-year, $54.6 million contract with the Badgers in December 2022.

As per the deal signed upon, if the Badgers fire Luke Fickell before his tenure finishes (2027) without any cause, they'll have to cover 80% of the total contract value, or $6,480,000 (AAV considering time left on his contract). However, there's a slight twist to it.

The Badgers will only be required to pay the remaining sum until Fickell finds himself a comparable job.

On the other hand, if Luke Fickell decides to leave the program before March 2027, he would be liable to pay $8 million. If he leaves after April 2027 but before March 2030, when his contract tenure ends, he would then have to pay $5 million.

Luke Fickell's message after getting crushed at home

The loss against Alabama was expected but no one had a blowout loss on their cards, especially at home. That manifested frustration as Fickell shared a blunt assessment after the game.

"I'll give you guys the same message I just gave them," Fickell told reporters. "If you haven't had your ass whooped before, you just did. And it hurts, and it's not easy, but in this game that's gonna happen. It's a part of the game. It stinks.

"It doesn't mean you didn't work hard, didn't mean you didn't prepare. It means you didn't get the job done, and whether it's a one-point loss or a 34-point loss, it's a good, old-fashioned ass whooping at home, which hurts," he added.

The matchups don't get any easier for the Badgers as they next face the No. 11 USC Trojans in Week 4 of the college football season.