Never say never.
That said, I think/hope Fickell will be here at UC next year. If (big IF) we can run the table next year, with ND and IU on the schedule, we should be a serious contender for CFP.
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If thespun.com was a Michigan site, this would be an interesting perspective. Dantonio left for a program in Big 10 because he was a Big 10 guy. BK left for ND because he had aspirations of National Championships. Coach BJ left for TN at a time when TN was not too far removed from SEC and National prominence. I think Luke will also leave for a situation like BK where he can win consistently at a place where the pressure is greatest. The pressure in Ann Arbor is artificially great because they are not as relevant as they think they are, even in their own conference, let alone nationally.
All of this speculation is good because it means we are winning and doing it the right way. We cannot afford to keep Luke forever, but I think the new contract he just signed indicates it will be a national power with lots of money for buyout. Even if UC runs the table, gets a CFP invite, and wins it all, I don't see more than 3-4 schools make a serious enough offer to sway him. Maybe Texas with their lottery money. Less likely Michigan, again with lottery money. Penn State could be a wild card this year, though I think Franklin gets a COVID pass. Auburn? Georgia? Two National powers looking to get over the 'Bama hump. Way less likely UCLA, though it too has lottery money. I don't think there are many other schools who could afford his new buyout in COVID and could be nationally relevant. No way Luke is walking the sidelines in 2022, but there is a 30% chance he is still in Clifton for 2021.Leave a comment:
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From thespun.com in regards to the next Michigan coach.
B.C.
Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell
Fickell should maybe be target 1A for Michigan. Yes, he’s an Ohio State graduate. And yes, it’s possible that Fickell will say no to the job.
Still, Fickell has built Cincinnati into one of the premier Group of 5 programs in America. The Bearcats are undefeated this season and playing like a College Football Playoff contender.
Plus, if he did take the job, how intriguing would the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry become?
We’re all for it.Leave a comment:
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Michigan has a history of hiring coaches with ties to Michigan. They didn't follow that when they hired Rodriguez and they took a lot of heat. Can't see them hiring an OSU guy unless they are really desperate.Leave a comment:
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I'd be really surprised to ever see any OSU guy ever take the UM job. It's kind of a lose/lose situation. In order to succeed you have to beat Osu quite a bit which is going to alienate the Osu fans, and if you don't the UM fans will send you packing. Awful hard for a Cbus born and bread guy. I won't get into the stigma of UM having to reach out to an Osu guy. Not worth the hassle as if you don't succeed you probably kill any chance of an Osu or Nd offer.Leave a comment:
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I would expect the Fickell to Michigan rumor to begin soon if Harbaugh is out. It's interesting to speculate whether UM would offer the HC position to Fickell, or if he would consider it if they did, with all the tOSU ties going on there.Leave a comment:
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All Things Fickell
https://www.buckeyesports.com/luke-f...at-cincinnati/
Best to start a "catch all" thread. The price of having a great coach. Thx. Fick!
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