Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh leaving for Big Ten office job | Reports

Chris McIntosh’s days as Wisconsin’s athletic director are done. The Wisconsin State Journal and Sports Business Journal published reports Sunday, April 12 that McIntosh is leaving UW for a senior role in the Big Ten Conference . The State Journal report said deputy athletic director Marcus Sedberry , who also serves as the football general manager, will serve as interim athletic director.

The State Journal also reported the search for a new AD will be led by Eric Wilcots, who will become the interim chancellor after Jennifer Mnookin departs at the end of the school year to become the president of Columbia University. McIntosh confirmed his departure to the Sports Business Journal. "On one hand it’s very difficult for me to transition away from a place that’s so important to me," McIntosh said.

"On the other hand, it’s an incredible honor and an incredible opportunity to be able to transition to a position at the Big Ten and to work for an incredible leader like Commissioner (Tony) Petitti and alongside some top-tier, very capable members of the Big Ten as we navigate a dynamic period for college athletics. " McIntosh and a UW spokesman did not return calls from the Journal Sentinel, part of USA TODAY Network. McIntosh is in the second year of a five-year contract extension that paid him $1.

5 million this school year. The move ends his five-year run as athletic director. During that time he hired football coach Luke Fickell, men's hockey coach Mike Hastings and women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton.