Wisconsin Searches for New Athletic Director Amid High Stakes

The University of Wisconsin–Madison formally launched a search for its next director of athletics on May 12, 2026. The process is being led by incoming Interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots, who will be responsible for making the final appointment.

The leadership of the search was transitioned to Wilcots at the request of outgoing Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, as her tenure as chancellor concludes on May 16.

The vacancy follows the resignation of former athletic director Chris McIntosh, who stepped down one month prior to the start of the search to accept a position with the Big Ten Conference.

Search Committee and Leadership

Wilcots is being advised by a nine-member search committee. The committee is chaired by Lauren Bishop, an associate professor in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Bishop serves as one of the university’s Faculty Athletics Representatives to both the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference. Her professional background includes leading a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research program that focuses on health, aging, and disparities among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autistic adults. She was also a collegiate rower at Duke University.

“I’m grateful and humbled to be a part of such an important search at the university, one that will shape the future of Wisconsin Athletics,” Bishop said.

Lauren Bishop

Strategic Objectives and Process

The university has characterized the current period as a transformational time for college athletics. Wilcots stated that the search will be open-minded, deliberate, and thoughtful to find a leader who shares the institution’s vision and values.

“Wisconsin Athletics plays a vital role in the life of our campus and our community; its success matters,” Wilcots said. “The director of athletics will lead us into a new era of Wisconsin Athletics during a transformational time in college athletics.”

Eric Wilcots

The search committee is scheduled to spend several weeks gathering feedback to determine the necessary qualities for the next leader. The university intends to hear from a variety of stakeholders, including:

• Student-athletes
• Athletic department staff and coaches
• Alumni
• Other university stakeholders