J.J. Watt, a retired professional football player and future Pro Football Hall of Famer, has made a smooth transition to the CBS Sports announcing booth, where he will be calling games every Sunday. However, he has no interest in coaching college football, despite his successful career on the field. In a recent interview on 'The Pat McAfee Show', Watt was asked about the possibility of coaching at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin. He was quick to dismiss the idea, stating that the life of a college football coach has 'absolutely no appeal' to him.
Watt explained that he enjoys the pure, on-the-field aspects of coaching, such as helping players improve their skills and creating the best version of themselves. However, he finds the additional responsibilities and demands of coaching college football off-putting. These include meetings, hours of work, recruiting, and dealing with boosters and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) issues. Watt expressed his reluctance to handle these aspects, even if it meant a substantial salary.
His time at Wisconsin was successful, as he played three seasons there (2008-2010) and was named First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-American in 2010. This led to his selection as the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Watt's NFL career was equally impressive, with three Defensive Player of the Year awards, five First Team All-Pro selections, and two seasons leading the league in sacks.
Despite Watt's disinterest in coaching, the future may still hold a new head coach for Wisconsin. Luke Fickell's buyout is $27.5 million, which is relatively high compared to other coaches who have been fired this season. This includes James Franklin from Penn State and Mike Gundy from Oklahoma State, who have both led their teams to more wins than Wisconsin over the past three seasons. The situation highlights the challenges and pressures faced by college football coaches and the potential for change in the sport.
