History of Wisconsin Badgers football in Timeline
Wisconsin Badgers football represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison, competing in the NCAA's FBS and the Big Ten Conference since 1896. Their home field is Camp Randall Stadium, a historic venue. Since the 1990s, the program has experienced significant success, adding to its long history where it is one of the 26 college football programs to win 700 or more games. The Badgers boast two Heisman Trophy winners (Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne) and twelve College Football Hall of Fame inductees, highlighting their historical impact on the sport.
6 hours ago : Ryan Hopkins, four-star QB, commits to Wisconsin Badgers football team for 2026.
Ryan Hopkins, a four-star quarterback from California, committed to Wisconsin Badgers football. He will join the team, coached by Luke Fickell, in 2026. Hopkins is ranked as the No. 14 quarterback.
1901: Wisconsin wins Big Ten title and records undefeated season
In 1901, Wisconsin won or shared the Big Ten title and recorded their first undefeated season, going 9–0–0.
1906: Wisconsin wins another Big Ten title
In 1906, Wisconsin won or shared another Big Ten title.
1907: Wisconsin-Minnesota rivalry
The UW-U of M series has been played continuously since 1907.
1912: Wisconsin wins another Big Ten title, and records undefeated season
In 1912, Wisconsin won their fifth Big Ten title and recorded their second undefeated season.
1912: Wisconsin wins their fifth Big Ten title
The 1912 season marked Wisconsin's last conference title until 1952.
1917: Michigan rejoins Big Ten
In 1917 Michigan rejoined the Big Ten after leaving in 1906.
1939: Chicago withdraws from Big Ten
In 1939 Chicago withdrew from Big Ten
1942: Wisconsin defeats No. 1 Ohio State and wins National Championship
In 1942, the No. 6 ranked Wisconsin Badgers defeated the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, elevating Wisconsin to No. 2 in the AP poll. Wisconsin finished the season 8-1-1 and No. 3 in the AP, and garnered the Helms Athletic Foundation vote for National Champion. Afterwards, the Badgers struggled to regain their momentum, with their efforts hampered by many of their star players leaving as a result of World War II.
1942: Wisconsin wins national championship
Wisconsin has one national championship from an NCAA-designated major selector for the 1942 season. However, the school does not claim this championship.
1948: Fans demand resignation of head coach Harry Stuhldreher
In 1948, Badger fans chanted "Goodbye Harry" during the 2-7 season, demanding the resignation of head coach Harry Stuhldreher. Stuhldreher later stepped down but remained as athletic director.
1950: The Badgers experience great success under Williamson
In 1950 the Badgers began a period of great success under Williamson, finishing in the AP Top 25 eight times that decade. From 1950 to 1954, the Badgers went 26-8-3.
1951: The Hard Rocks defense leads the nation
In 1951, the Badgers' stout defense, known as "The Hard Rocks", led the nation in overall defense.
1952: Badgers claim Big Ten title and earn first Rose Bowl trip
In 1952, the Badgers received their first No. 1 ranking by the Associated Press, claimed the Big Ten title, and earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl, where they were defeated 7-0 by Southern California. The season ended with a No. 11 ranking in the AP.
1952: Wisconsin wins Big Ten title
The 1952 season was Wisconsin's next conference title after 1912.
1954: Alan Ameche wins the Heisman Trophy
In 1954, Wisconsin's Alan Ameche became the first Badger to win the Heisman Trophy after a 7-2 season.
1955: College Football Hall of Fame Inductions Begin
In 1955, George Little and Dave Schreiner were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, marking the beginning of 16 former Badgers players and coaches to be inducted.
1955: Ivy Williamson steps down as head coach
In 1955, Ivy Williamson stepped down as head coach to become athletic director and was replaced by his former assistant coach, Milt Bruhn.
1956: Wisconsin has a setback
In 1956, Wisconsin has a setback with a 1-5-3 record.
1959: Wisconsin returns to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten Champions
In 1959, Wisconsin returned to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten Champions, but lost to the Washington Huskies, 44–8.
1962: Badgers win their first Big Ten championship since 1962
In 1962, Wisconsin wins their first Big Ten championship since 1962.
1963: Badgers in Rose Bowl
In 1963, the Badgers last met USC in the Rose Bowl, prior to the 2015 Holiday Bowl.
1966: Milt Bruhn resigns and John Coatta is hired.
In 1966, Milt Bruhn resigned after three straight losing seasons, and Wisconsin chose John Coatta as his replacement.
1967: Badgers begin a winless streak.
In 1967, The Badgers began a winless streak that lasted 23 games.
1969: Badgers win 3 games.
In 1969, The Badgers won 3 games during Coatta's short reign.
1969: Fifth Quarter originated
In 1969, the Fifth Quarter, a fan event, originated and takes place following every Wisconsin home football game.
1970: John Jardine named head coach
In 1970, Elroy Hirsch named John Jardine as head coach for the Badgers.
1977: John Jardine steps down as head coach
In 1977, John Jardine stepped down as head coach of the Badgers.
1979: Ohio State defeats the Badgers
In 2014, it was the worst loss since 1979 when Ohio State defeated the Badgers 59–0.
1981: Badgers play in the Garden State Bowl
In 1981, the Badgers played in the Garden State Bowl.
1982: Badgers play in the Independence Bowl
In 1982, the Badgers played in the Independence Bowl.
1984: Badgers play in the Hall of Fame Classic Bowl
In 1984, the Badgers played in the Hall of Fame Classic Bowl.
1986: Dave McClain's death
In 1986, Dave McClain's death during spring practice sent the Badgers into free fall.
1989: Wisconsin football program in disarray
By the end of the 1989 season, the Wisconsin football program was in disarray, shouldering a debt of over $2 million with low fan attendance. Pat Richter named Barry Alvarez as the new head coach.
1990: Badgers win a total of nine games
From 1986 to 1990, the Badgers won a total of nine games.
1990: Barry Alvarez's first season
In 1990, Barry Alvarez won his first game as head coach over Ball State, but the Badgers finished 1–10.
1992: Wisconsin in bowl contention
In 1992, Wisconsin was in bowl contention on the last day of the season, but a narrow loss to Northwestern kept them from going to a bowl.
1992: "Jump Around" begins unofficially
In 1992, members of the men's varsity swim team began playing "Jump Around" over a portable CD player and broadcasting via a smuggled-in megaphone to sections O and P during the games to rile up those sections.
1993: Badgers win Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl
In 1993, the Badgers finished 10-1-1, winning their first Big Ten championship since 1962 and defeating UCLA 21–16 to claim their first Rose Bowl victory.
1993: Badgers lost consecutive games to their rival since 1993-94
In the 2022 season, after a loss at home to Minnesota, which was the first time the Badgers had lost consecutive games to their rival since 1993–94
1994: Badgers go 2-1 in bowl games
From 1994 to 1997, the Badgers fell back into mediocrity, though remaining competitive, going 2–1 in bowl games.
1996: Badgers win the Copper Bowl
In 1996, the Badgers had victories in the Copper Bowl.
March 1997: "Jump Around" at Fraternity party
In March 1997, at a Fraternity party at Delta Tau Delta at midnight the song "Jump Around" was played with the football team and members of the future stadium employees and it became the midnight anthem for every party until the end of that year.
1997: Badgers go 2-1 in bowl games
From 1994 to 1997, the Badgers fell back into mediocrity, though remaining competitive, going 2–1 in bowl games.
1997: Ross Kolodziej joins Badgers
In 1997, Ross Kolodziej became a defensive tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers, playing until 2000.
1997: Badgers get shutout
In 2014, it was the first time since 1997 that the Badgers were shutout.
October 10, 1998: "Jump Around" tradition officially begins
The "Jump Around" tradition officially began on Saturday, October 10, 1998, at the Badgers Homecoming game against the Purdue Boilermakers.
1998: Badgers win a school-record 11 games
In 1998, the Badgers won a school-record 11 games, led by "The Great Dayne."
1998: Badgers record first road shutout
In 2014, the Badgers recorded their first road shutout since 1998 in a 37–0 victory over Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
1999: Badgers win back-to-back Big Ten championships and Rose Bowls
In 1999, the Badgers won back-to-back Big Ten championships and Rose Bowls over UCLA. Ron Dayne set a new NCAA record for career rushing yardage and won the Heisman Trophy.
1999: College GameDay Appearances
Since 1999, the Wisconsin Badgers have made 18 appearances on ESPN's College GameDay and have played in 3 bowl games.
2000: Ross Kolodziej ends playing career at Badgers
In 2000, Ross Kolodziej ended his playing career as a defensive tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers.
2000: Badgers win back-to-back Big Ten championships and Rose Bowls
In 2000, the Badgers won back-to-back Big Ten championships and Rose Bowls over Stanford.
2000: Badgers make first Rose Bowl appearance since 2000
The 2010 Badgers made their first Rose Bowl appearance since 2000 after winning a share of the Big Ten Championship. They were defeated by TCU Horned Frogs 21-19
2001: Badgers struggle due to loss of scholarships
Due to the loss of scholarships as a result of the NCAA investigation, the Badgers struggled through the 2001–2003 seasons.
2002: Bret Bielema led Illini to their first win in Madison since 2002
In the 2022 season, after an upset loss at home to Washington State, followed by blowout losses to Ohio State and Illinois, Paul Chryst was fired on October 2, two days after former Badgers coach Bret Bielema led the Illini to their first win in Madison since 2002.
September 6, 2003: "Jump Around" initially canceled
On September 6, 2003, UW officials initially decided to cancel the "Jump Around" due to structural integrity concerns during the construction of skyboxes at Camp Randall Stadium. However, the tradition was later reinstated due to student protests.
2003: Badgers struggle due to loss of scholarships
Due to the loss of scholarships as a result of the NCAA investigation, the Badgers struggled through the 2001–2003 seasons.
2003: Wisconsin loses Paul Bunyan's Axe
In 2018, Wisconsin lost Paul Bunyan's Axe for the first time since the 2003 season.
2004: Alvarez named athletic director
In 2004, Alvarez was named athletic director, replacing the retiring Pat Richter.
2005: Alvarez resigns as head coach, Bielema named successor
Following the 2005 season, Alvarez resigned as head coach to focus on his duties as athletic director and named his defensive coordinator, Bret Bielema, as his successor.
2005: Paul Chryst named offensive coordinator
In 2005, Paul Chryst became the offensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers.
2005: Badgers win Capitol One Bowl and Alvarez steps down as head coach
In 2005, the Badgers had a victory in the Capitol One Bowl. Alvarez stepped down as head coach after the season.
2006: Mickey Turner joins Badgers
In 2006, Mickey Turner joined the Wisconsin Badgers as a tight end, playing until 2009.
2006: Wisconsin wins Capital One Bowl
Wisconsin's 2006 team went 12-1 and won the Capital One Bowl over Arkansas 17–14. Wisconsin finished the season ranked 5th in coaches poll and 7th in the AP Poll.
2007: Best record since 2007 season
The Badgers achieved their best record since the 2007 season, with a 13-1 record in 2017.
2009: Mickey Turner ends playing career at Badgers
In 2009, Mickey Turner concluded his playing career as a tight end for the Wisconsin Badgers.
2010: Badgers win a share of the Big Ten Championship and return to the Rose Bowl
In 2010, the Badgers won a share of the Big Ten Championship and returned to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2000, where they were defeated by the TCU Horned Frogs.
2011: Paul Chryst departs Wisconsin
In 2011, Paul Chryst left his position as the offensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers.
December 2012: Gary Andersen hired as head coach
In December 2012, Gary Andersen was hired as head coach after Bret Bielema resigned.
December 19, 2012: Gary Andersen named head coach
On December 19, 2012, Gary Andersen was named head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers football team.
2012: Paul Chryst becomes Pitt head coach
In 2012, Paul Chryst was named the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh.
2013: Badgers lose to Stanford in Rose Bowl
In 2013, Barry Alvarez served as interim coach for the Rose Bowl, where the Badgers lost to Stanford.
2013: Badgers end season with 9-4 record
The Badgers ended 2013 with a 9–4 record after losing to South Carolina Gamecocks in the Capital One Bowl.
2014: Justin Wilcox at USC
From 2014 to December 2015, Justin Wilcox served as USC's defensive coordinator.
2014: Maryland and Rutgers joins Big Ten
In 2014 Maryland and Rutgers joined Big Ten
2014: Melvin Gordon breaks single-game rushing record
In 2014, Melvin Gordon broke the all-time FBS single-game rushing yards record with 408 yards against Nebraska, though the record lasted only a week. The Badgers ended the regular season in 1st place in the West Division but lost to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game 59-0.
2014: Paul Chryst leaves Pitt
In 2014, Paul Chryst departed from his position as the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh.
January 1, 2015: Wisconsin wins Outback Bowl with Alvarez as interim coach
On January 1, 2015, Wisconsin, with Barry Alvarez as interim coach, won the Outback Bowl vs. Auburn 34–31 in overtime.
January 2015: Andersen confirms frustration with academic standards
In January 2015, Gary Andersen confirmed reports that he was frustrated with the university's high academic standards for athletes.
December 2015: Justin Wilcox fired from USC
In early December 2015, Justin Wilcox was fired from his position as defensive coordinator for USC.
2015: Badgers win Outback Bowl
In 2015, the Badgers snapped a four-game bowl losing streak with a 34–31 overtime victory over Auburn in the Outback Bowl.
2016: Badgers upset LSU Tigers
In 2016, the Badgers upset the No. 5 ranked LSU Tigers 16–14 in their season opener at Lambeau Field. Also, the Badgers lost the Big 10 championship game to Penn State.
2016: Dave Aranda joins LSU Tigers
Two days after their victory over USC in the Holiday Bowl, it was announced that the Badgers defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, would be taking the same role for the LSU Tigers. The Badgers opened the 2016 season against the LSU Tigers at Lambeau Field.
2017: Badgers win Orange Bowl
In 2017, the Badgers rebounded to win the Orange Bowl over Miami to finish the season with a 13–1 record.
2018: Badgers win Pinstripe Bowl
In 2018, the Badgers finished the season with a win in a rematch against Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl to finish 8–5.
January 2019: Andersen contract set to expire
In January 2015, it was reported that Andersen had to pay a $3 million buyout for departing within the first two years of his contract, which was set through January 2019.
2020: Badgers fall short in Rose Bowl
In 2020, Paul Chryst fell one-point short in the Rose Bowl.
2020: Original Scheduling of Notre Dame Game
In 2020, Wisconsin was originally scheduled to play against Notre Dame, but the game was rescheduled to 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 3, 2021: Home and Home Series vs. Utah Announced
On May 3, 2021, it was announced that Wisconsin would play a home and home series versus the Utah Utes in 2028 and 2033.
June 7, 2021: Wisconsin to Play Notre Dame in 2026 at Lambeau Field
On June 7, 2021, it was announced that Wisconsin would play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2026 at Lambeau Field. The game was rescheduled from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 27, 2022: Luke Fickell Announced as Head Coach
On November 27, 2022, Luke Fickell was announced as the 31st head football coach for the Wisconsin Badgers.
2022: Paul Chryst fired
In 2022, Paul Chryst was fired as head coach. Jim Leonhard became the interim coach and went 4-3 overall. Luke Fickell would be the next coach of the program.
2022: Badgers participate in Guaranteed Rate Bowl
In 2022, the Badgers most recent bowl game was in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
November 21, 2023: Wisconsin to Play Pittsburgh in Ireland in 2027
On November 21, 2023, it was announced that Wisconsin would play against the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2027 at Aviva Stadium in Ireland as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
November 25, 2023: Big Ten standings
As of November 25, 2023 Wisconsin's record with all-time Big Ten members.
March 26, 2024: Home and Home Series vs. California Announced
On March 26, 2024, it was announced that Wisconsin would play a home and home series versus the California Golden Bears in 2029 and 2030.
2024: Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington joins Big Ten
In 2024 Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington joined Big Ten
February 28, 2025: Schedules Announced
On February 28, 2025, the Wisconsin Badgers football schedules were announced.
2026: Game versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lambeau Field
In 2026, Wisconsin is scheduled to play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lambeau Field. The game was rescheduled from 2020.
2027: Game versus Pittsburgh Panthers in Ireland
In 2027, Wisconsin is scheduled to play against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Aviva Stadium in Ireland as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
2028: Game vs. Utah Utes
In 2028, Wisconsin will play a game as part of a home and home series versus the Utah Utes.
2029: Game vs. California Golden Bears
In 2029, Wisconsin will play a game as part of a home and home series versus the California Golden Bears.
2030: Game vs. California Golden Bears
In 2030, Wisconsin will play a game as part of a home and home series versus the California Golden Bears.
2033: Game vs. Utah Utes
In 2033, Wisconsin will play a game as part of a home and home series versus the Utah Utes.
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