Big changes are happening at Wisconsin — and they might signal something much bigger.

In this episode of Jen, Gabe & Chewy, the crew reacts to the news that Chris McIntosh is leaving Wisconsin to become Big Ten Deputy Commissioner, and what that means for the future of Badgers athletics.

🚨 The Big Question

Was this a promotion… or an exit before things got worse?

The conversation centers on:

Whether McIntosh was ahead of a potential firing

If Wisconsin football’s struggles played a role

And whether this move is actually a reset for the program

🧠 The NIL Problem

The biggest issue raised:

👉 Wisconsin may have fallen behind in the NIL era

Lack of aggressive fundraising

Reliance on old models that no longer work

Failure to adapt quickly when NIL changed college sports

And that has led to:

Recruiting challenges

Program stagnation

Growing frustration among fans

🏈 Football Drives Everything

The discussion makes it clear:

Football is the lifeblood of the athletic department

Attendance and interest are slipping

More money is being pushed into football to fix it

But if that doesn’t work:

👉 Bigger changes could still be coming

🔄 Leadership Shakeup

With multiple transitions happening:

Chancellor leaving

Interim leadership in place

Athletic director search underway

This isn’t just one change — it’s a full reset moment

💬 The Debate

Should McIntosh be blamed for where things are?

Was Barry Alvarez’s decision to hire him a mistake?

Or was the job simply harder than expected in the NIL era?