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Chris McIntosh
Chris McIntosh
Chris McIntosh
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Chris McIntosh (born February 20, 1977) is an American college athletics administrator, businessman, and former football player who is the current athletic director at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[1] He played professionally as a tackle for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL).

Key Information

He played college football as an offensive tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers, earning a consensus unanimous All-American selection, Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a 2000 Rose Bowl victory. McIntosh was selected by the Seahawks in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft. He played for parts of three seasons but suffered a neck injury in 2001 which derailed his career and led him to retire from football before the start of the 2003 season. Upon his retirement from the NFL, McIntosh pursued various unsuccessful business ventures in the private sector before returning to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he would quickly rise to become deputy athletic director before being selected to succeed longtime athletic director and former head football coach Barry Alvarez upon Alvarez's retirement.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

McIntosh was born and raised in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Pewaukee High School and played for the Pewaukee Pirates high school football team.

College career

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McIntosh attended the University of Wisconsin on a full football scholarship and was a standout tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 1996 to 1999. As a senior and team captain in 1999, he was selected as first-team All-Big Ten, won the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award, and was a consensus first-team All-American.[4] McIntosh was a key member of the Badgers' back-to-back Rose Bowl winning teams in 1999 and 2000 and was inducted in the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.[5]

Professional career

[edit]
McIntosh with the Seattle Seahawks in 2000

McIntosh was selected along with Shaun Alexander by the Seahawks in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft.[6] As the 22nd overall pick, he was met with high expectations and seen as a potential long term anchor on the Seahawks' offensive line. McIntosh's playing time increased throughout the 2000 season and he would go on to start 10 games during his rookie season. In 2001, however, he suffered a neck injury in training camp that limited him to just three starts. McIntosh continued to suffer from neck issues the following year and would never return to his pre-injury level of production - leading to his retirement from the NFL just before the 2003 season after an unsuccessful comeback attempt.[7]

Post-playing career

[edit]
McIntosh in 2023

After his playing career ended, McIntosh entered the business world where he pursued various start-up ventures focused primarily in health and wellness-related industries. In 2014, he returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison as the director of business development in the Wisconsin Athletic Department.[8] McIntosh was quickly promoted to deputy athletic director in July 2017.[9] During his time at the Wisconsin Athletic Department under athletic director Barry Alvarez, McIntosh oversaw the hiring of notable Wisconsin coaches Greg Gard and Paul Chryst, helped establish and expand the Inclusion and Engagement unit and Department of Clinical & Sport Psychology, served as Government Affairs liaison, and played a key role in the identification of financial threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Alvarez announced his retirement in April 2021, a national search was launched to replace Alvarez as Wisconsin's athletic director. As deputy athletic director at the time, McIntosh was seen as the frontrunner to land the athletic director job having been groomed for the position by Alvarez. Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced on June 2, 2021, that he had in fact been selected as Alvarez's successor. McIntosh is just the third athletic director at Wisconsin since 1989 and follows the long tenures of Pat Richter and Alvarez, each of whom oversaw a continuous rise of many of Wisconsin's athletic programs to national prominence beginning in the 1990s. Upon his promotion, McIntosh said "“Barry and Pat caused our program to be risen out of the ashes...The challenges are different today. The context is different today. It will require a different style of leadership, a different approach. I’m confident that the approach we take will position us well in the future.”[10]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chris McIntosh

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Chris McIntosh (born February 20, 1977) is an American college athletics administrator and former professional football player, best known as the Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison since July 1, 2021. A native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, McIntosh starred as an offensive tackle for the University of Wisconsin Badgers from 1996 to 1999, starting 50 consecutive games and serving as team captain during the program's back-to-back Big Ten Conference championships and Rose Bowl victories in 1998 and 1999. He earned consensus All-America honors in 1999, was a finalist for the Outland Trophy in 1999, and received Academic All-Big Ten recognition, while protecting Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne during his senior season. Selected as the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, McIntosh played three seasons as an offensive tackle in the National Football League before retiring due to injuries. Following his playing career, McIntosh transitioned into business and athletics administration, working with several health and wellness startups. He returned to the University of Wisconsin in 2014 as Associate Athletic Director for Business Development, advancing to Deputy Athletic Director in 2017, where he oversaw operations, football administration, and facilities projects. As athletic director, McIntosh has led the department through significant achievements, including national championships in women's volleyball (2021) and women's hockey (2023 and 2025), as well as 12 team conference titles. He has also managed major initiatives, such as the $285 million Kellner Family Athletic Center, and serves as the Big Ten Conference's representative on the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee. In March 2025, McIntosh testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary regarding college athletics issues, emphasizing student-athlete development and program excellence.

Early life

Childhood and family

Chris McIntosh was born on February 20, 1977, in . He grew up in this suburban village located approximately 17 miles west of in Waukesha County, a community known for its lakeside setting around Pewaukee Lake and its family-oriented environment that saw steady growth during the late . McIntosh later described himself as a shy and timid child during his early years in Pewaukee, reflecting on the small-town atmosphere that shaped his formative development before entering high school.

High school career

Chris McIntosh attended Pewaukee High School in , where he played offensive line for the Pewaukee Pirates football team. As a highly regarded lineman, he earned all-state honors in 1994 during his senior season, establishing himself as one of the top prospects in the state. His performance on the offensive line helped anchor the Pirates' front, contributing to a strong foundation for his future development in the sport. McIntosh's senior year was cut short by a severe knee injury sustained at the beginning of the season, which limited his playing time but did not derail his recruitment trajectory. In addition to football, he excelled in wrestling, going undefeated and winning the state championship in 1994, an accomplishment that enhanced his athleticism, strength, and discipline—qualities that translated directly to his football prowess. During his recruitment, McIntosh drew interest from the University of after attending a Badgers game in 1992 as a and participating in their . He verbally committed to in July 1994, opting to stay in-state and join the program under coach . This decision solidified his path to despite the challenges of his injury.

College career

University of Wisconsin

McIntosh enrolled at the University of in 1995 as a highly recruited offensive lineman from Pewaukee High School in . He redshirted his true freshman season that year, preserving a year of eligibility while the Badgers finished with a 4-5-2 record. As a redshirt freshman in 1996, McIntosh transitioned to the starting lineup at left tackle, beginning a remarkable streak of 50 consecutive starts over his four playing seasons. During the 1996 and 1997 seasons, McIntosh anchored the left side of Wisconsin's offensive line as the team improved to 8-5 records each year, culminating in bowl appearances including the Copper Bowl victory over after the 1996 season and the Outback Bowl appearance against Georgia after 1997. In 1998, he continued starting all 12 games, contributing to a 11-1 regular season that secured the program's first Big Ten championship since 1966 and a spot in the Rose Bowl. The Badgers defeated UCLA 38-31 in the , with McIntosh's blocking helping to protect Mike Kurt and support the run game led by tailback . McIntosh's senior year in 1999 marked the pinnacle of his college contributions, as he started all 12 regular-season games and the postseason matchup during Dayne's Heisman Trophy-winning campaign. The Badgers again claimed the Big Ten title with a 10-2 record, advancing to the where they defeated Stanford 17-9 to cap back-to-back victories in the historic game. He served as team captain in 1998 and 1999. Throughout his tenure, McIntosh's reliability at left tackle was evident in his ironman streak, allowing the offensive line to maintain cohesion and enable a power-running attack that averaged over 200 rushing yards per game in his final two seasons. His role was integral to team dynamics, often serving as a vocal leader who helped foster the line's physical, disciplined style that powered Wisconsin's resurgence under head coach .

Awards and honors

During his senior year at the University of in 1999, Chris McIntosh was recognized as a Consensus First-Team All-American, a prestigious honor reflecting his elite performance as an offensive tackle and his contributions to the Badgers' success, including their Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl victory. This accolade, determined by aggregating selections from major All-America teams such as the , , and , underscored his dominance in pass protection and run blocking. McIntosh was also a finalist for the 1999 , awarded to the nation's top interior lineman, highlighting his technical prowess and leadership on the offensive line despite not winning the award. Additionally, he earned the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honor in 1999, recognizing his pivotal role in Wisconsin's high-powered offense that season. Earlier in his career, McIntosh received First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 1999 and Second-Team All-Big Ten in 1998, further establishing his consistency as a starter. Off the field, McIntosh was selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team, acknowledging his strong performance in the classroom alongside his athletic achievements. These collegiate honors significantly elevated his profile among scouts.

Professional career

NFL draft and debut

McIntosh was selected by the in the first round of the , as the 22nd overall pick. His selection was influenced by his strong college performance at the University of , where he earned multiple All-American honors. Following the draft, McIntosh signed a five-year worth $5.2 million, including a $3.6 million . The deal positioned him as a key addition to the Seahawks' offensive line, intended to start at right tackle. However, he missed the entire preseason and due to a holdout, delaying his integration with the . McIntosh made his NFL debut in the regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints on September 3, 2000, after resolving the holdout. He gradually earned a starting role, appearing in 14 games and starting 10 at right tackle during his rookie year. Despite the late start, he contributed solidly to the offensive line, committing four penalties—including one holding, two false starts, and one declined/offsetting—while helping protect quarterback Jon Kitna and supporting the run game.

Injuries and retirement

McIntosh's promising NFL career was derailed by a severe injury sustained during the 2001 season with the . The injury, described as a affecting a in his , caused significant and numbness, including in his thumb, leading him to miss six games that year. Despite attempts to return, he appeared in only 10 games with 3 starts in 2001. Following the season, McIntosh underwent in 2002 to relieve on the affected , which immediately alleviated the thumb numbness that had persisted for five and a half months. Rehabilitation efforts allowed him to enter , but he reaggravated the injury early, resulting in placement on injured reserve on August 31, 2002, and missing the entire season. Medical evaluations confirmed the recurring nature of the neck issue, limiting his physical capabilities and prompting further assessments. Unable to fully recover, McIntosh announced his retirement from the before the 2003 season at the age of 26, concluding a career that spanned three seasons and included 24 games played with 13 starts—14 games and 10 starts as a in 2000, followed by the injury-plagued 2001 and absent 2002. Reflecting on the abrupt end, McIntosh later expressed disappointment over the unfulfilled potential, noting that " came sooner and quicker than I ever thought it would" and that he, like many players, had envisioned a much longer . The injuries prevented him from building on his strong performance and establishing himself as a long-term starter.

Post-playing career

Business ventures

Following his retirement from the NFL in 2003 due to a neck injury, McIntosh completed his at the University of Wisconsin and transitioned into the business sector, leveraging his athletic background in and to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. He partnered with business mentors to engage in startups, gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of company operations and development. This period allowed him to apply skills honed on the football field, such as strategic decision-making and networking, to entrepreneurial challenges. From approximately 2004 to 2014, McIntosh focused primarily on and wellness ventures, launching and leading initiatives that aligned with his personal interest in fitness and . A notable example was his founding of Body Basix in the early , where he served as CEO and president of the company, an asset of 338 Partners, LLC. Body Basix specialized in simplified products and fitness programs designed to empower individuals of all body types to achieve their goals, with products distributed through major retailers like Vitamin World. McIntosh's involvement in these startups emphasized practical , including and retail partnerships, which he credited for building his acumen in scaling operations. By 2012, he publicly praised collaborations with firms like Nutritional Products International for enhancing Body Basix's market reach through effective sales and distribution strategies. These experiences marked a successful bridge from to private-sector , culminating in his return to the University of in 2014.

Athletic administration

Chris McIntosh was appointed as the Director of Athletics at the on July 1, 2021, succeeding longtime leader after serving as deputy athletic director since 2017. In this role, McIntosh has overseen the department's 23 varsity sports programs amid evolving NCAA regulations and dynamics, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and student-athlete welfare. His leadership has included navigating the integration of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities and preparing for direct revenue-sharing with athletes, a pivotal shift in governance. A key initiative under McIntosh has been the implementation of revenue-sharing with student-athletes, set to begin in the fall of 2025 following the approval of the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, which allows schools to distribute up to $20.5 million annually from a compensation pool. McIntosh testified before the in March 2025, advocating for the settlement's potential to provide stability and equity in college athletics while addressing legal challenges to the amateurism model. This move aligns with broader departmental efforts to sustain all 23 sports programs without cuts, despite financial pressures from the settlement's $2.8 billion payout. In October 2024, he issued a public update committing to increased investments in facilities and operations to support this transition, including the ongoing construction of the Kellner Family Athletic Center, a $285 million indoor practice facility slated for partial completion in summer 2026. McIntosh's hiring and retention decisions have centered on long-term program stability, notably his support for head football coach Luke Fickell, whom he hired in 2022 with a contract through 2031. Despite the Badgers' underwhelming 5-7 record in 2024 and a projected 2-10 finish in 2025—marked by defensive regressions and offensive inconsistencies—McIntosh announced on November 6, 2025, that Fickell would return for the 2026 season, citing the high $25 million buyout cost and belief in ongoing roster development. This decision extended to bolstering support staff and resources for football, while McIntosh has also overseen successes in other sports, such as hiring Mike Hastings as men's hockey coach in 2023, leading to improved Big Ten competitiveness. Facility enhancements, like premium seating additions at the Kohl Center in 2024, have benefited basketball and other programs. The Fickell retention sparked significant controversy among fans and media, with many expressing frustration over the program's decline from its pre-2022 standards, labeling the choice as a potential repeat of past coaching missteps and demanding accountability. Outlets like ESPN and the Journal Sentinel highlighted divided reactions, praising McIntosh's commitment to patience amid rebuilds but questioning the timing given the 2025 season's losses. McIntosh's own five-year contract extension in July 2024, through 2029, underscores institutional confidence in his vision for adapting to Big Ten expansions and national reforms. Overall, his tenure has positioned Wisconsin as a proponent for sustainable change in college athletics, balancing tradition with modernization.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McInCh20.htm
  2. https://uwbadgers.com/staff-directory/chris-mcintosh/623
  3. https://playerstrust.com/spotlights/chris-mcintosh
  4. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU05/20250311/117995/HHRG-119-JU05-Wstate-McIntoshC-20250311.pdf
  5. https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/city-of-pewaukee/
  6. https://www.dailylocal.com/2021/06/03/how-chris-mcintosh-went-from-a-player-unsure-of-his-future-with-the-badgers-to-wisconsins-ad-2/
  7. https://www.pewaukeefootball.org/alumni
  8. https://www.wisn.com/article/chris-mcintosh-new-wisconsin-athletic-director-wisconsin-athletic-director/36608642
  9. https://www.pottsmerc.com/2021/07/02/jim-polzin-handoff-between-barry-alvarez-and-chris-mcintosh-built-on-trust-loyalty/
  10. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2017/6/22/general-camp-randall-100-chris-mcintosh.aspx
  11. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2021/06/02/chris-mcintosh-five-things-know-wisconsin-athletic-director/7505366002/
  12. https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/city-life/new-university-of-wisconsin-athletic-director-chris-mcintosh-picks-up-where-his-mentor-left-off/article_a7776cf5-cee0-570e-a88c-b86b078d105a.html
  13. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2016/04/15/chris-mcintosh-a-rising-star-in-the-wisconsin-athletic-department/84904584/
  14. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin/1996-schedule.html
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin/1997-schedule.html
  16. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5654773/2024/07/24/wisconsin-football-luke-fickell-chris-mcintosh/
  17. https://uwbadgers.com/honors/uw-athletic-hall-of-fame/chris-mcintosh/147
  18. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm
  19. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chris-mcintosh-1.html
  20. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/15936/chris-mcintosh
  21. https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/despite-camp-holdout-rookie-mcintosh-shining-on-offensive-line/
  22. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2000/09/03/miami-dolphins-vs-seattle-seahawks/
  23. https://www.fieldgulls.com/2011/4/4/2089575/top-10-draft-busts-in-seattle-seahawks-history-10-chris-mcintosh
  24. https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Seahawks-Notebook-McIntosh-is-pained-in-the-neck-1092706.php
  25. https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/McIntosh-on-injured-list-as-Hawks-make-final-cuts-1095041.php
  26. https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/wisconsin-promotes-chris-mcintosh-to-succeed-barry-alvarez-as-athletic-director/
  27. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2153/chris-mcintosh
  28. https://nutricompany.com/news/major-retailer-vitamin-world-now-carrying-body-basix-products/
  29. https://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/367718891.html
  30. https://nutricompany.com/news/chris-mcintosh-of-body-basix-praises-work-of-npi/
  31. https://www.uwalumni.com/news/badgering-chris-mcintosh/
  32. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2021/6/2/athletics-general-news-events-chris-mcintosh-named-director-of-athletics.aspx
  33. https://news.wisc.edu/mcintosh-named-athletic-director/
  34. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/10/22/general-news-an-update-from-chris-mcintosh.aspx
  35. https://www.si.com/college/wisconsin/wisconsin-athletics/ncaa-settlement-revenue-sharing-will-force-badgers-to-make-difficult-decisions-01jaxdgn8e4j
  36. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2025/11/07/a-look-at-how-wisconsins-new-indoor-practice-facility-is-progressing/87127915007/
  37. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46873216/wisconsin-coach-luke-fickell-return-2026-ad-says
  38. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6788916/2025/11/08/wisconsin-luke-fickell-return/
  39. https://badgerextra.com/commentary/columns/polzin/polzin-how-athletic-director-chris-mcintosh-is-carving-out-his-own-legacy-at-wisconsin/article_a31339e2-dfa4-11ed-a59f-a753106b6ff7.html
  40. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/7/16/mens-basketball-construction-underway-on-kohl-center-premium-seating
  41. https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-football-keeping-luke-fickell-the-definition-of-insanity
  42. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/wisconsin-fans-national-media-react-222842988.html
  43. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2024/07/25/wisconsin-athletic-director-chris-mcintosh-signs-contract-extension/74547014007/
  44. https://badgerextra.com/sports/wisconsin-athletics-house-settlement-stability-revenue-sharing-chris-mcintosh/article_27d1c078-e4b1-11ef-845d-57862c7d9990.html
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