February 10, 20206 yr From Pete Thamel: Sources: Luke Fickell has decided to stay at Cincinnati. After interviewing for Michigan State on Sunday and talking it over with his family, he elected to stay put. Twitter Huge news for UC considering what they return next year and the recruiting class they have coming in. Interested to hear the details that were either finalized or are being finalized as far as a contract extension goes.
February 10, 20206 yr Author His son being a senior at Moe might have swung it. Huge victory for UC! Amy said when Luke first took the UC job that it really annoyed her that people thought UC was a stepping stone job. She felt UC could be built in to something special with the right coach and that this was the perfect opportunity for Luke, given his ties and loyalty to Ohio. Lets not forget that Urban basically had to force Luke to interview and take the UC job because he was so loyal then to his players and situation. He's just a different type of dude. 4 years later... Here we are.
February 10, 20206 yr As a beer vendor at Nippert, this pleased me. @gametime might be buying shots at Holy Grail tonight?
February 10, 20206 yr Amy said when Luke first took the UC job that it really annoyed her that people thought UC was a stepping stone job. She felt UC could be built in to something special with the right coach and that this was the perfect opportunity for Luke, given his ties and loyalty to Ohio. Lets not forget that Urban basically had to force Luke to interview and take the UC job because he was so loyal then to his players and situation. He's just a different type of dude. 4 years later... Here we are. You’ve been spot on the entire time. A couple of things jump out, had his son been going into sophomore or junior year, maybe. If he’s worth 4.3 right now, what’s he worth next year after another 10-11 wins and multiple programs competing for him?
February 10, 20206 yr I fear, "Every man has his price". Hopefully, UC can get that New Year's Six bid next year.
February 10, 20206 yr Author You’ve been spot on the entire time. A couple of things jump out, had his son been going into sophomore or junior year, maybe. If he’s worth 4.3 right now, what’s he worth next year after another 10-11 wins and multiple programs competing for him? No clue. I think this last decision made it clear though that his decision to eventually move on will be about more than money. He has now turned down money/pay raises/interest from the SEC (Arkansas, Mississippi St) , ACC (Louisville, Boston College), Big 12 (West Va), and Big 10 (Michigan St). Obviously none of those are blue blood programs but I think that's a sign that it's going to take more than money to pull him away from his current situation at UC, where he's already out recruiting and winning more than most of the P5 with less resources....and if the playoff ends up eventually expanding, conference won't matter either because as the top "G5 program", he'd have a seat at the table every year. I personally think he's waiting for Ohio State, Notre Dame, or Penn State to open. He has repeatedly said the next time he moves his family, it will be the last time.
February 10, 20206 yr No clue. I personally think this last decision made it clear though that his decision to eventually move on will be about more than money. He has now turned down money/pay raises/interest from the SEC (Arkansas, Mississippi St) , ACC (Louisville, Boston College), Big 12 (West Va), and Big 10 (Michigan St). Obviously none of those are blue blood programs but I think that's a sign that it's going to take more than money to pull him away from his current situation at UC, where he's already out recruiting and winning more than most of the P5 with less resources....and if the playoff ends up eventually expanding, conference won't matter either because as the top "G5 program", he'd have a seat at the table every year. I personally think he's waiting for Ohio State, Notre Dame, or Penn State to open. He has repeatedly said the next time he moves his family, it will be the last time. OSU isn’t opening anytime soon. I think you’re onto something with ND. But how much does Kelly have left in the tank? Fickell has to view himself as a stock, another 10 win season and his stock is at an all time high and can only go lower.
February 10, 20206 yr Author OSU isn’t opening anytime soon. I think you’re onto something with ND. But how much does Kelly have left in the tank? Fickell has to view himself as a stock, another 10 win season and his stock is at an all time high and can only go lower. I think the key season for him is 2021. Schedule sets up nicely for him to have a 3rd straight 10+ win season this year but in 2021 UC plays at Indiana and at Notre Dame. Somehow running the table that year would give them an outside shot at making the playoff. Fick is a smart guy and I'm sure he knows this. I'm sure he also knows that will be Malik Vann, Josh Whyle, Leonard Taylor, and Des Ridder's senior year. No way he's leaving those guys to another coach for their senior years. He has commented in the past how he wouldn't be able to look Josh Whyle in the eye if he ever had to tell him he was leaving for another job. After the 2021 season, I think that's when you could see things seriously pick up again. Can't see OSU, Penn State, or Notre Dame open after this coming year and I don't think he'd follow AD Bohn and move his family across the country to take the USC job.
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