Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell could add another former Buckeye to his staff this year, at least in an informal capacity.
Fickell told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Thursday he hopes to have Mike Vrabel around the Wisconsin program “as much as possible” in 2024 in an informal role.
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell tells ESPN he hopes his best friend and former teammate, Mike Vrabel, can be around Wisconsin this year in an informal role. Hell invite him up to observe part of spring practice and go from there. https://t.co/u1iHzYImkB
Vrabel, the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year who went 54-45 and made three playoff appearances in six seasons as the Tennessee Titans head coach, did not land with another NFL franchise after the Titans fired him in January. With previous experience as Ohio State’s linebackers and defensive line coach (2011-13) and the Houston Texans’ defensive line coach (2014-16) and defensive coordinator (2017), it remains unclear whether Vrabel will coach in 2024.
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Fickell, Vrabel’s friend and former Ohio State teammate, could provide his next landing spot – if Vrabel is up to it.
“I love Mike and want him around as much as possible,” Fickell told Thamel. “I want to see how much he’d like to be around, in the spring for sure. And we’ll go from there.”
After Dianna Russini of The Athletic quoted an NFL GM who implied that Vrabel didn’t land an NFL head coaching job because his 6-foot-4, 261-pound frame intimidates front office members and owners, Fickell joked with Thamel that Vrabel does not scare or threaten him.
Fickell, once a three-time Ohio high school state champion wrestler for DeSales High School, would often spar with Vrabel in the Ohio State locker room. The former Buckeye nose tackle and linebacker have remained close personally and professionally since their college careers in Columbus.
Fickell first mentioned Vrabel’s potential presence at Wisconsin in a radio interview with ESPN Wisconsin’s Wilde and Tausch on Wednesday.
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“I talked to him, I think on Saturday, and we hadn’t communicated for probably a week or so just because the process was going,” Fickell said. “He sounded like a new man. And I’m not sure exactly if this was his choice, or what it is the future looks like. But I know that we’re going to have a visitor here that’s going to spend a little bit of time, hopefully around us. Starting, coming up in the spring and some things like that, see how much, how deep we can get involved with my buddy and get him around here.”
Fickell went 7-6 in his first season at Wisconsin. According to the 247Sports composite, he and the Badgers added the No. 23 high school recruiting class and No. 18 transfer portal class in America in 2024. Fickell also hired several new assistant coaches this offseason, including some with Ohio State ties like Kenny Guiton (wide receivers coach) and Alex Grinch (safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator).
James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is on covering news and politics in Texas, as well as other general news across the United States. James joined Newsweek in July 2022 from LBC, and previously worked for the Daily Express. He is a graduate of Oxford University. Languages: English. Twitter: @JBickertonUK. You can get in touch with James by emailing j.bickerton@newsweek.com
James Bickerton
US News Reporter
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Elon Musk was interrupted by a heckler at an event on Saturday in Wisconsin, where he handed out $1-million cheques to two voters who backed his petition against “activist” judges.
A video posted on Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, social media platform showed the moment in Green Bay, though the heckler’s remarks were largely inaudible.
Musk responded to the heckler: “It was inevitable that at least a few Soros operatives would be in the audience! Give my regards to George. Say hi to George for me.”
George Soros, a major donator to progressive causes, is often invoked by conservatives in campaign rhetoric, casting him as a symbol of elite liberal influence.
Elon Musk to a protester: “It was inevitable that at least a few Soros operatives would be in the audience.. give my regards to George!” pic.twitter.com/kPPOr2uxQr
Musk, a key adviser to President Donald Trump, has been campaigning ahead of Tuesday’s Wisconsin’s supreme court election—the most expensive judicial election—which could flip the ideological balance of the court from liberal to conservative.
The crowd then cheered and broke into a chant of “USA, USA,” which Musk joined from the stage.
The 39-second clip was shared by Musk’s America PAC shared and later reshared by Musk himself, commenting “kek,” and viewed more than 1 million times.
This story is a breaking and will up updated.
Elon Musk speaks during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 30, 2025. Elon Musk speaks during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 30, 2025. ROBIN LEGRAND/AFP/GETTY
FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. – A Wisconsin state trooper arrested a Florida man for operating while intoxicated on I-41 earlier this week. If convicted, it would be the man’s fifth offense.
What they’re saying:
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The Wisconsin State Patrol spotted a speeding driver on I-41 in Fond du Lac County late Thursday night, March 27.
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A trooper pulled the vehicle over and noted the driver, a 56-year-old man from Orlando, showed signs of impairment. The trooper also noticed open intoxicants in the man’s vehicle.
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What’s next:
The driver was placed under arrest, and a search warrant was obtained for an evidentiary blood draw. The test results are still pending.
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The Source: The Wisconsin State Patrol released information for this report.
MILWUAKEE — Less than three days before polls open on Election Day, voters across Wisconsin are weighing the impact of Elon Musk’s recent involvement in the state Supreme Court race — and whether his money is motivating or meddling.
Billionaire Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of Judge Brad Schimel, plans to award $1 million each to two individuals at a rally scheduled for Sunday in Green Bay. The payments are intended for those who signed an online petition opposing what he calls “activist judges” and will speak at the rally.
He is also offering $100 to any Wisconsinite who signs the petition.
Chuck Kornowski of West Allis said he and several family members signed Musk’s petition earlier this month.
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“My wife and I both filled it out, including my son, my sister, and my brother-in-law,” he said. “It’s awesome.”
Kornowski is now waiting for his $100 check in the mail — part of Musk’s broader campaign offering money to people who sign the online petition. Kornowski said the effort is energizing voters.
“It gets people motivated,” he added. “It is a good idea, I really feel it is.”
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Chuck Kornowski
On Saturday, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals denied an emergency request by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul to block Musk from awarding $1 million each to two voters at the rally Sunday night.
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Kaul filed the lawsuit Friday, arguing that Musk’s actions violate Wisconsin election law, which makes it a felony to offer voters anything of value in exchange for voting.
After a county judge declined to hear the case on Saturday, Kaul appealed to the state Court of Appeals, which also rejected his request.
Musk and groups he funds have now poured more than $20 million into the race, which has become the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. According to WisPolitics, total spending has topped $90 million.
Jerrell Patterson of Milwaukee said he sees the campaign as a creative way to energize new voters.
“Get into the minds of younger people and get them to come to rallies, sign petitions, and become greater Americans — I’m definitely on board with that,” Patterson said.
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Jerrell Patterson
Not all voters feel comfortable with the billionaire’s role in the race.
“Getting people out there to vote, certainly,” said Meredith, a Milwaukee voter. “But I don’t know how I feel about a billionaire bribing people to sign petitions and paying his way into an election.”
Musk and former President Donald Trump are supporting conservative candidate Judge Brad Schimel of Waukesha County. Democrats, including George Soros, are backing Dane County Judge Susan Crawford.
“I don’t control what Elon Musk does, and I don’t control what George Soros or J.B. Pritzker do for Susan Crawford,” Schimel said at a rally Friday, pointing to the out-of-state billionaires backing his opponent.
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Petition or not, many voters said this election feels more consequential than usual.
“It’s a very high-stakes election,” Meredith added. “Not just for Wisconsin, but for the country as a whole.”
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Meredith
Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court hangs in the balance, as a pending retirement means the court’s current 4-3 liberal majority is up for grabs.
Schimel said he would not be attending the Green Bay event with Musk. Attendance is limited to those who signed the petition.
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