Wisconsin interim AD Marcus Sedberry not planning 'wholesale shifts or changes'

MADISON – Marcus Sedberry’s first priority as Wisconsin’s interim athletic director is rather straightforward. “I always start with the people,” Sedberry said. In Wisconsin’s case, hundreds of athletes across 23 teams are now under Sedberry’s purview after Chris McIntosh’s abrupt departure to take a new role at the Big Ten office .

Aside from ensuring that those people understand “where things are headed and that we continue to do the work that we’re doing,” Sedberry has plenty of decisions looming for however long he is in the top seat. He already has one coaching search to do when cross country and track and field director Mick Byrne retires . Wisconsin fans might not want to hold their breath for any major changes during this interim phase, though.

“Maybe there’s a one or two-degree tweak in the short term, but as Chancellor [Mnookin] mentioned, there’s a process coming,” Sedberry said. “And to make any wholesale shifts or changes right now, I think, would be unwise. I think it’s a time right now to hone in on the things that are most important, which are supporting our student-athletes.

” Perhaps one of the earliest key decisions for Sedberry will be how he and the football program will handle the workload that he had as the team’s general manager. UW is in a relatively quiet period for roster construction, but that won’t always be the case as Sedberry also steers the athletic department as a whole. Sedberry has enjoyed “working really closely with our football program,” he said in the meeting, but he also acknowledged the reality of the two roles.