All Things Fickell

[coach]

That 10 year contract is likely a negotiating ploy to keep him from landing anywhere else down the road without compensation. HIs track record is he lasts 3 or 4 years and generally is caught up in health concerns etc. due to his intensity. I can't imagine anyone leaving their own head coaching gig to follow that situation. Assistants are another matter as they typically always move every several years. He's going to need guys around him with Nfl experience.

[Binturong05]

With all the chatter of Urban to Jax, is there any risk Fick joins him there?

[coach]

If you really want to be an Nfl head coach, you should really become a coordinator for some time before trying to make the jump. The road is littered with big time guys like Saban, Spurrier, etc. who couldn't even begin to make it work. Much different job. Vrabel made the jump after being a position coach and dc for a year which prepares you for the differences.

[Lobot]

I wouldn't wish a Philly pro sports job on anybody. Fans are nuts.

No kidding. If this happens/happened, You take the interview but I don't see this going very far.

That said, It wouldn't surprise if he jumped to the pros. He's good friends with Mike Vrabel from playing and coaching and Vrabel's done pretty well in the NFL.

[coach]

I wouldn't wish a Philly pro sports job on anybody. Fans are nuts.

[Lobot]

If you’re a plane watcher, a Lunken to Philly flight happened today. But then that might happen everyday. Have no idea who was on it or who owns it.

[GoBearcats31]

NFL reporter Jason La Canafora: U of Cincy's Luke Fickell is a hot name in NFL circles right now with the Eagles seen by many rival execs as a good fit

https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/s...47523252957185

[Lobot]

He’s also the Region 1 Coach of the Year which make him eligible for National Coach of the Year.

[Gilenerm]

AAC Coach of the year. I bet that comes with a bonus check.

Easy pick and well deserved!

[Lobot]

AAC Coach of the year. I bet that comes with a bonus check.

[red_n_black_attack]

Lovie Smith out at Illinois, but still don't think that draws Luke.

Gus Malzahn out at Auburn. This one is trickier. A, they have the monopoly money that no one can resist, and B, they play the best teams week in and week out.

[red_n_black_attack]

Good coaching aside, a good coach needs the tools and resources to implement a winning program and I'd argue that UC is as much a part of Fickell's success as the coach is. Luke is a great coach: X's and O's, leadership, getting most out of players, player development, recruiting, winning, and the list goes on. However some of the things needed to win were already in place in Cincinnati. We have great facilities, meeting rooms, video equipment/staff, strength and conditioning (trainers and weight room), great local recruiting (many underrated gems stay for coaches like BK, Dantonio, Jones, and Fick with TT being only exception), excellent on campus stadium with tremendous home field advantage. I am not bringing these things up to say that we will be alright if Luke moves on, because I think that is a given. Rather, I bring them up as reasons for Luke to stay. The Cincinnati football program has strong and deep roots. We have been in the National Championship chatter twice in the past 11 years and are ready to take the next step. Many programs are close and reay to take that next step, like A&M, Penn State, USC, and a few other traditional P5 powerhouses that have just missed the Playoff the past 5-6 seasons. LSU made the jump last year. Washington, Mich St, and Oregon have made 1 playoff. Very few programs are perennial Top 10-15 teams to start the season with real shots at the Playoff.

UC has the tools and resources to become one of those teams constantly in the conversation and occasionally breaking through. It might not be this year, but if we keep beating the teams on our schedule, it will happen. The future at UC can be as bright as any potential landing spot for Luke.

[Binturong05]

Vandy? South Carolina? Those positions seem like a step down from the situation he has here where at the current pace they're going to build a statue of the man in Clifton. With Tom Herman on the hot seat at Texas I could see Luke getting an invite for that job, and wouldn't be surprised if he takes it. It's one of maybe a half dozen top spots I think he would relocate the family for. Texas is highly fertile recruiting grounds and the program has loads of money to throw at staff salaries and facilities. Luke may win a championship at a place like that if he were to hop.

My wish if he does leave is that UC can hold on to Freeman by promoting him to HC to continue the momentum here.

[red_n_black_attack]

Fickell makes more here than Vandy paid/pays Mason. That said, good luck competing in that league from Vandy. Tough, tough job.

Still, nice to have him only tied to eltie jobs which will be fewer and fewer. Same for S Carolina, doubt he makes their list because salary is too high.

[red_n_black_attack]

And besides that, one would think (hope) that the luring of Butch Jones to the SEC from Cincy a few years back would cause Vanderbilt some hesitation.

I doubt it would cause SEC to pause at all. Butch is a good guy, but worked best under Brian Kelly. Luke cannot be compared to Butch.