Luke Fickell details how he makes crucial in-game decisions with Wisconsin coaches

In one of the most compelling games during bowl season, Wisconsin pushed LSU to the brink before ultimately falling 35-31. Head coach Luke Fickell admitted after the game there were some instances where he probably should have been more aggressive.

Once or twice during the game, Wisconsin’s communication on the sidelines seemed to be at odds too.

After the game, a reporter asked Fickell about some instances where it seemed prolonged communication over a key decision might have resulted in a timeout burned. Fickell explained that wasn’t at issue.

“There wasn’t any timeouts used to talk about it,” Fickell said. “There was timeouts used basically when we were trying to draw them offsides, maybe. We already had the idea of what is it we were going to do based on that situation.”

The first-year Wisconsin head coach went on to explain his communication process with his assistant coaches and how things are supposed to work.

Essentially, it’s usually a group effort to get a call in that everyone’s comfortable with.

“Sometimes there’s a collaboration,” Luke Fickell said. “Usually it’s known ahead of time as to what the situation needs to be and what it is that we want to be able to do. Sometimes you do have to change your minds.”

As far as the LSU game goes, Fickell pointed to one area of the contest in particular where he might have had some lingering regrets.

“We knew what it is that we wanted to do, and I put it on myself that you say OK, now that you look back at it, maybe on that 3-yard line, 2.5-yard line, knowing darned well that field goals aren’t going to be what wins this ballgame,” Luke Fickell said, “I look back at it and say that I thought maybe there was more times to be aggressive at it and take some more of those shots at it.”

Wisconsin fell 35-31 in the ReliaQuest Bowl despite a big day from quarterback Tanner Mordecai. Mordecai threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.