CINCINNATI — Former Ohio State player and assistant coach Luke Fickell is leaving the University of Cincinnati as head football coach to take a similar position at Wisconsin, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati.
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A national search to replace Fickell is underway, UC director of athletics, John Cunningham, announced Sunday night.
“We will find the perfect fit for this program, this university, this incredible fanbase and this awesome community,” Cunningham said.
Wisconsin’s football program also announced Fickell’s arrival via Twitter, according to WCPO.
Kerry Coombs will serve as as the interim head coach for the Bearcats, Cunningham announced.
“Make no mistake, we are set up for success at the University of Cincinnati,” Cunningham said. “Our goals — to compete for championships — don’t change.”
Cunningham also thanked Fickell for all he has done for the Bearcats program over his six seasons as head coach, during his press conference.
Fickell played guard at Ohio State from 1993-1996. He served as an assistant coach for the Buckeyes from 2002-2010, including interim head coach in 2011 after Jim Tressell stepped down.
Fickell stayed on and served as the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator from 2012-2016 with Urban Meyer, including their 2014 National Championship team.
He left his alma mater in 2016 to take the head coaching job at Cincinnati. He coached the Bearcats for six season, including a 13-1 season in 2021 and was picked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝚰𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝚰𝐒𝐎𝐍
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 27, 2022
Welcome @CoachFick ! pic.twitter.com/ybE9U3b3nu
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) November 27, 2022
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