Wisconsin promoting Max Stienecker to general manager

Wisconsin is promoting Max Stienecker to general manager, On3 has learned.

The 24-year-old directed of player personnel has been with Luke Fickell since his time at Cincinnati. Viewed as one of the rising stars in the college football personnel world, he’s expected to be the youngest general manager in the Power 4.

A 2021 Cincinnati graduate, he’s played a key piece in Wisconsin’s early recruiting success. The Badgers are ranked No. 22 in the 2025 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, headlined by four-star linebacker Mason Posa and offensive lineman Hardy Watts.

The Camp Wisconsin Podcast first reported the news of Stienecker’s promotion.

Wisconsin has also found success in the transfer portal, headlined by the offseason addition of Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. The Badgers also added Syracuse EDGE Leon Lowery and USC linebacker Tackett Curtis.

“I do think it’s unique that you have a really short amount of time to try to make sure you’re feeling like it’s the right one,” Fickell said Tuesday about recruiting Van Dyke. “What’s his arm strength, you can watch all these games … but do you really know the right one … Our matrix when trying to take a one year or two year guy even when we were at Cincinnati, it had a lot to do with what’s your history with them? What do you really know about and do you really know the family? Have you been in that home? With these quarterbacks, you don’t have that opportunity.”

Wisconsin opens the season against WMU on Aug. 30. The Badgers also host Alabama in Week 3 on Sept. 14.