MADISON, Wis. — In a surprising turn of events, the University of Wisconsin has parted ways with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Phil Longo, as confirmed by the school in a statement released Sunday evening.

Head Coach Luke Fickell justified the decision, stating, “After continuing to evaluate the program, I decided we are not where we need to be and believe this decision is in the best interest of the team. I appreciate Phil’s commitment to helping us build our program over the past two seasons and wish him well moving forward. This team still has a lot in front of us, and I am committed to doing everything we can to close out this season with success.”

The announcement comes just a day after Wisconsin suffered a tightly contested 16-13 loss to No. 1 ranked Oregon, marking their third straight defeat. The Badgers’ performance was particularly concerning, as they averaged a mere 3.6 yards per play—the lowest output in 23 games since Longo took the reins.

Struggling with a dismal 5-5 record this season, including a lackluster 3-4 performance within the Big Ten, Longo's tenure was marred by an inability to effectively transition Wisconsin to an Air Raid offensive scheme. Although there was much anticipation surrounding this departure from the traditional pro-style offense, the adaptation proved difficult. Last season, the Badgers averaged only 23.5 points per game, their lowest in 19 years. This season has seen only slight improvement, with an average of 23.9 points per game over the first ten outings.

Injuries have certainly played a role in the team's struggles. Last season, starting quarterback Tanner Mordecai was sidelined for over three games due to a broken right hand, and this season, Tyler Van Dyke suffered a torn ACL, forcing backup Braedyn Locke into the starting role. Locke has had a rocky season, completing only 55.1% of his passes while throwing nine touchdowns against nine interceptions and tossing an interception in every game he started.

What does this mean for Wisconsin football moving forward?

Fickell's decision to dismiss Longo with just two games left in the regular season sends a strong signal that expectations are high for the program. It appears that Fickell and Longo struggled to align their strategies, particularly concerning the offensive approach. Fickell has repeatedly emphasized the necessity of relying more heavily on the team’s offensive line. Earlier in the season, when asked about offensive output, Longo admitted, “I’m here to please coach Fickell.”

Looking ahead, tight ends coach Nate Letton has been mentioned as a potential interim play-caller for the remaining games. Regardless of how the season concludes, Fickell will be tasked with finding offensive leadership that complements Wisconsin’s roster while adhering to his strategic vision.

As the transfer portal opens on December 9, significant roster changes could be on the horizon, especially considering the number of players that joined the program to play under Longo. Since his arrival last season, Fickell’s overall record stands at 12-11, with an 8-8 mark in Big Ten play. Year three is poised to be pivotal for his tenure, as he attempts to steer the program in a new direction offensively.

Fans eagerly anticipate who will take the helm next in a bid to revitalize a program rich in tradition but now searching for a fresh identity. Stay tuned for updates as Wisconsin looks to rebound in the final stretch of the season!