All Things Fickell

[Carin's Dad]

Not surprising that Fickell had a role in coaching Joe Burrow at tOSU. Burrow was the scout team QB against LF's defense.

[leo from jersey]

Not surprising that Fickell had a role in coaching Joe Burrow at tOSU. Burrow was the scout team QB against LF's defense.

The silver bullets under CLF were on top of the game and JB didn't look all that great compared to Haskins - thus a transfer and the rest is history.

[bearcatbret]

I hope that this does not offend anyone. Being a Catholic, I found this very refreshing and just another reason to respect and love our coach. Cincinnati football team helps pregnancy center build a culture of life (pregnancyhelpnews.com)

[swilsonsp4]

Here's a snippet from 247sports.com (not paywalled) on their assessment of Luke Fickell as the #9 FB HC this coming season:
9. LUKE FICKELL, CINCINNATI

https://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/133/759/10759133.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offset-y0.50&width=620&height=320 (Photo: Icon Sportswire / Contributor, Getty)
Record as a head coach: 54-22

Conference championships: 2 (AAC; 2020-21)

National championships: 0

There's a reason why Luke Fickell is the first name to surface for major job vacancies. Given his success in a short timeframe at Cincinnati, he'll be leading a major program very soon as his ascension as one of the nation's top coaches continues. Fickell is a three-time AAC coach of the year and became the first Group of Five head coach to lead his program to a playoff berth last season. He's posted back-to-back perfect regular seasons and player development is an obvious strength. Imagine what Fickell could do at a program with more resources and a top-10 recruiting class.

[bearcatbret]

Those over at 247Sports must be geniuses. Any one of us on the forum could have written that very same paragraph. Who knows, he might just be able to keep building UC into the cream of the Big12.

[Geaux Juan]

Here's a snippet from 247sports.com (not paywalled) on their assessment of Luke Fickell as the #9 FB HC this coming season:


There's a reason why Luke Fickell is the first name to surface for major job vacancies. Given his success in a short timeframe at Cincinnati, he'll be leading a major program very soon as his ascension as one of the nation's top coaches continues. Fickell is a three-time AAC coach of the year and became the first Group of Five head coach to lead his program to a playoff berth last season. He's posted back-to-back perfect regular seasons and player development is an obvious strength. Imagine what Fickell could do at a program with more resources and a top-10 recruiting class.

I guess I'm nitpicking here, but this writer (discloser - I didn't read the article) does realize that Cincinnati is going into the Big !2 soon, right? Wouldn't that qualify UC as a major program, or has another level been instituted, i.e., Major Program > Power 5 > Group of 5?

[Lobot]

Per Justin Williams, Luke Fickell has signed an extension through 2028 at 5M/yr. Pending BOT approval.

https://theathletic.com/news/cincinn.../Ek6ZW2XPvUGC/

[GoBearcats31]

Per Justin Williams, Luke Fickell had signed an extension through 2028 at 5M/yr. Pending BOT approval.

https://theathletic.com/news/cincinn.../Ek6ZW2XPvUGC/

Wow, big time

[Gmann]

Per Justin Williams, Luke Fickell had signed an extension through 2028 at 5M/yr. Pending BOT approval.

https://theathletic.com/news/cincinn.../Ek6ZW2XPvUGC/

Well that's one bit of good news on a gloomy post Super Bowl loss Monday.

[Lobot]

Pete Thamel with additional info. The Assistant salary pool is getting a nice bump as well.

[London 'Cat]

And the University has reassured it’s commitment, to CLF’s satisfaction, to constructing an indoor practice facility for the program.

[Lobot]

That union professor from UC Blue Ash campus is about to pop a vein.

[bearcatbret]

This is a good read with some interesting nuggets towards the end. Bearcats’ Luke Fickell agrees to contract extension through 2028 (fox19.com)

This is much the same. Report: Cincinnati, Luke Fickell agree to contract extension (wcpo.com)

[GoBearcats31]

($) Justin Williams Q&A with Fickell
https://theathletic.com/3129742/2022...nnati-program/


This was well done. I know for anyone that can't read it, it's annoying to tease. But some of the meat involving the contract and all that already out there through JW's original reporting and the subsequent reports from other local outlets. You kind of know what you're getting with a Fickell interview. He's obviously pleased with the success and especially happy for the achievements of the players. But he's also not interested in building things from year to year. We don't know if/how long he stays, but he has an eye for the long term and trying to set up the program for success in the long term. He seems to have a good relationship with John Cunningham. One small nugget that stood out to me was that he understood that 3-4 years ago, it might be normal for an assistant to leave for a Big Ten type position because they obviously can pay much more. But that no longer is acceptable to him. Doesn't mean he's bitter about anyone leaving, at least outwardly, but he obviously wants to keep the best guys here (and exist as a major program), and perhaps part of why it's a priority to up the salary pool for the assistants.

[AustinTX88]

my buddy was playing at OU when Burrows dad was there. said the little guy was running around hotels on away days. seems like he was around football from early days.