MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Big Ten Conference announced Monday, April 13 that former Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh has been appointed deputy commissioner for strategy, confirming reports from Sunday night that the Pewaukee native was leaving the Badgers.

McIntosh will advise Commissioner Tony Petitti and lead overall strategy development for the conference beginning May 1, according to the Big Ten.

McIntosh served as Wisconsin's athletic director since 2021, overseeing 13 conference championships, four team national championships as well as what is billed in Monday's press release as the largest capital project in Wisconsin Athletics history with the Kellner Family Athletic Center.

"The opportunity to join Commissioner Petitti's leadership team and help guide the Conference and its institutions toward a stronger future is an honor," McIntosh said.

Before becoming athletic director, McIntosh was a consensus All-American offensive tackle at Wisconsin who led the Badgers to back-to-back Rose Bowl championships in 1998 and 1999. He was a first-round NFL draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks.

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- There's a major change at the top for Wisconsin athletics. 

CBS 58 Sports confirmed that Chris McIntosh is stepping down from his post as Wisconsin's athletic director. 

He replaced Barry Alvarez as the Badger's athletic director five years ago and has helped the school achieve success in most sports, though the football program has struggled and so has the men's basketball team. 

The Pewaukee native is reportedly taking a position as a deputy commissioner with the Big Ten Conference, marking a massive change for the Badgers.