Polzin: Why Wisconsin's safe choice for athletic director provides little relief From the Coverage of Wisconsin's hiring of Shawn Eichorst as athletic director series JIM POLZIN Jul 1, 2026 Jul 1, 2026 Updated Jul 13, 2026 × Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save It’s really important for a columnist to have a strong opinion on a big news event, but you deserve honesty more than some contrived take.kAm$@ 96C6 :E 8@6Di %CFE9 :D[ x 92G6 ?@ :562 9@H E@ 766= 23@FE &(\|25:D@? :?E6C:> 492?46==@C tC:4 (:=4@ED 2AA2C6?E=J 49@@D:?8 $92H? t:49@CDE E@ 36 E96 D49@@=’D ?6IE 2E9=6E:4 5:C64E@C]k^AmkAms@?’E =@G6 :E[ 5@?’E 92E6 :E] (@?’E C:A :E[ H@?’E AC2:D6 :E] r2? F?56CDE2?5 :E[ 32D65 @? D@>6 @7 E96 ?2>6D E92E 92G6 366? 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E2C86ED 7@C>6C D6?:@C 25>:?:DEC2E@C 2D ?6IE 2E9=6E:4 5:C64E@Ck^2mk^Am People are also reading… Bob Uecker's former wife finds comfort in radio booth during Brewers' World Series run Lake Geneva City Council adopts ordinance for appointed city attorney Geneva Inn welcomes new general manager Work has begun on electrical substation, penthouse in downtown Lake Geneva Brewers legend Robin Yount reacts to World Series title Local church to conduct annual Christmas Rummage Sale Badger High School football players selected for All Conference honors Tommy Thompson asks Regents to delay hiring a new UW system president Why the Packers’ run game remains stuck despite Josh Jacobs’ return Our endorsement for Wisconsin governor High school football second-round playoff scores VISIT Lake Geneva presents Impact Awards during annual event Two doctors join Mercyhealth system in Walworth County Badger High School theater students to present 'Radium Girls' Is artist Noah Kahan playing a concert at Camp Randall? 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E9@D6 E@A:4D H@F=5 36 96=A7F= 7@C D@>6@?6 DEF4< :? E96 >:55=6 @? E9:D 9:C6]k^Am Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com. In this Series Coverage of Wisconsin's hiring of Shawn Eichorst as athletic director Updated Jul 13, 2026 Wisconsin targets former senior administrator as next athletic director Updated Jul 13, 2026 Polzin: Initial thoughts on Wisconsin's hiring of familiar face as AD Updated Jul 21, 2026 5 things to know about new Wisconsin athletic director Shawn Eichorst 14 updates Previous Next Locations Wisconsin Madison Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Jim Polzin’s initial thoughts on Wisconsin hiring Shawn Eichorst Wisconsin targets former senior administrator as next athletic director The Badgers are turning to a former deputy athletic director to take over the top job, according to a report. Here's what we know. 5 things to know about new Wisconsin athletic director Shawn Eichorst The Lone Rock native is returning home for the second time, now as the new leader of the Badgers athletic department. Get to know Shawn Eichorst. It's official: Wisconsin names Shawn Eichorst new athletic director The Badgers confirmed Wednesday what had been reported a day earlier, that former deputy athletic director Shawn Eichorst is the new AD. Polzin: How Shawn Eichorst got off to a solid start as Wisconsin AD Winning the press conference was a nearly impossible task Wednesday. But the Badgers' new leader said all the right things during a Zoom inter… McKewon: Assessing Shawn Eichorst's surprising second chance in Big Ten after Nebraska debacle Shawn Eichorst's rocky tenure at Nebraska proved he was a bad fit, writes Sam McKewon, but he possesses traits that could make his second chan… Shawn Eichorst's vision for Wisconsin: 'Excellent in everything we do' Shawn Eichorst and interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots both frequently mentioned a pursuit of excellence for the Badgers in an introduction for th… New AD Shawn Eichorst's starting salary an increase over his Wisconsin predecessor New Wisconsin athletic director Shawn Eichorst has a five-year contract. Here's what we know about it. Urban League leader calls for review of Wisconsin athletic director hiring process The leader of the Urban League said he was concerned about the process that led to Shawn Eichorst being hired as Wisconsin athletic director. Wisconsin, Under Armour unveil special uniforms for Notre Dame tilt The Badgers last wore alternate uniforms against Iowa in 2025 and also sported a different look for the 2021 contest against Notre Dame. What new Wisconsin AD Shawn Eichorst thinks about NIL, being accessible to fans Shawn Eichorst says he has a lot to learn about Wisconsin, but shared his vision of how NIL should be framed. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Watch Now: Related Video Wisconsin women’s basketball warms up ahead of season opener vs. Bradley Badgers focused on process, not ranking, Grady Deering says Badgers focused on process, not ranking, Grady Deering says Grady Deering expects 'awesome environment' vs. Minnesota Grady Deering expects 'awesome environment' vs. Minnesota Mike Hastings says Badgers goalies have taken advantage of opportunities Mike Hastings says Badgers goalies have taken advantage of opportunities Watch Now: Related Video Wisconsin women’s basketball warms up ahead of season opener vs. Bradley Badgers focused on process, not ranking, Grady Deering says Badgers focused on process, not ranking, Grady Deering says Grady Deering expects 'awesome environment' vs. Minnesota Grady Deering expects 'awesome environment' vs. Minnesota Mike Hastings says Badgers goalies have taken advantage of opportunities Mike Hastings says Badgers goalies have taken advantage of opportunities
Wisconsin targets former senior administrator as next athletic director The Badgers are turning to a former deputy athletic director to take over the top job, according to a report. Here's what we know.
5 things to know about new Wisconsin athletic director Shawn Eichorst The Lone Rock native is returning home for the second time, now as the new leader of the Badgers athletic department. Get to know Shawn Eichorst.
It's official: Wisconsin names Shawn Eichorst new athletic director The Badgers confirmed Wednesday what had been reported a day earlier, that former deputy athletic director Shawn Eichorst is the new AD.
Polzin: How Shawn Eichorst got off to a solid start as Wisconsin AD Winning the press conference was a nearly impossible task Wednesday. But the Badgers' new leader said all the right things during a Zoom inter…
McKewon: Assessing Shawn Eichorst's surprising second chance in Big Ten after Nebraska debacle Shawn Eichorst's rocky tenure at Nebraska proved he was a bad fit, writes Sam McKewon, but he possesses traits that could make his second chan…
Shawn Eichorst's vision for Wisconsin: 'Excellent in everything we do' Shawn Eichorst and interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots both frequently mentioned a pursuit of excellence for the Badgers in an introduction for th…
New AD Shawn Eichorst's starting salary an increase over his Wisconsin predecessor New Wisconsin athletic director Shawn Eichorst has a five-year contract. Here's what we know about it.
Urban League leader calls for review of Wisconsin athletic director hiring process The leader of the Urban League said he was concerned about the process that led to Shawn Eichorst being hired as Wisconsin athletic director.
Wisconsin, Under Armour unveil special uniforms for Notre Dame tilt The Badgers last wore alternate uniforms against Iowa in 2025 and also sported a different look for the 2021 contest against Notre Dame.Â
What new Wisconsin AD Shawn Eichorst thinks about NIL, being accessible to fans Shawn Eichorst says he has a lot to learn about Wisconsin, but shared his vision of how NIL should be framed.Â
