Wisconsin names Chris McIntosh as new athletic director, succeeding Barry Alvarez

Former Wisconsin football player Chris McIntosh will succeed Barry Alvarez as athletic director.

With Barry Alvarez retiring from his post, it made all the sense in the world for a former Wisconsin football player in Chris McIntosh to succeed him as athletic director.

“I owe so much to the University of Wisconsin, and I’m deeply honored to be able to succeed Barry Alvarez,” said McIntosh in a statement. “We will build upon our legacy of success on the field of competition and support our student-athletes in the classroom, on campus and after college.”

McIntosh was an offensive tackle for Alvarez from 1996-1999 and team captain. He played three years in the NFL after being a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks. After a neck injury forced him into early retirement, McIntosh later joined his alma mater’s athletic department in 2014. Since 2017, McIntosh has served as deputy athletic director.

With big shoes to fill, McIntosh looks to carry on Alvarez’s legacy with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Chris McIntosh succeeds Barry Alvarez as the Wisconsin Badgers’ next AD

Prior to Alvarez arriving in Madison in 1990, Wisconsin football was largely seen as an afterthought. The Badgers were one of the worst teams in the Big Ten and had not had a winning season since 1984. Over the last 30 years, Alvarez was instrumental in helping give the University of Wisconsin-Madison one of the best athletic programs in the country, shaping the lives of many.

With McIntosh now ascending to the big chair, he looks to get the football team into the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history, as well as keep the men’s basketball team among one of the most competitive programs in the country. There are very few schools that excel in as many sports as Wisconsin does. No doubt McIntosh has been groomed to take over.

Even though Wisconsin interviewed plenty of candidates, McIntosh was the preferred pick by Alvarez to succeed him in leading and overseeing the athletic department.

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