Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell offered an update on Wisconsin’s play-calling situation on Monday. Or, he purposely avoided giving one.
Fewer than 24 hours after Wisconsin fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo, Fickell fielded several questions from the media in his weekly press conference on Monday.
When asked about his play-calling plans going forward, Fickell offered somewhat of a cryptic response.
“Why does it matter?” Fickell said. “The offense will be run, and those guys will do a lot of things collaboratively. I don’t think it’s really important as to who is calling it. I guess it gives you the ability to point a finger at somebody. It’s not one of those things I think is that important. Sometimes I think it’s overrated in some ways, but it’ll be a collaborative group and those guys will have to work a lot together.”
Taken literally, Fickell’s answer would be troubling. The more reasonable explanation is that he wanted to avoid questions on the topic — something that wasn’t going to be able to do after firing Longo just one day earlier.
If Wisconsin’s current three-game losing streak, culminating in the crushing 16-13 loss to No. 1 Oregon on Saturday, impacted Fickell’s long-term vision for the program enough to make a significant coaching move, there was likely a plan in place when the move was made.
If Fickell’s explained blueprint is the way Wisconsin goes, wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton, running backs coach Devon Spalding and tight ends coach Nate Letton are in position to work together to kick-start the offense. In reality, one of them will likely emerge as the play-caller.
Fickell also added that Guiton will inherit quarterback coaching responsibilities alongside his role with the wide receivers.
UW will continue to gear up for its Nov. 23 road game against Nebraska.