Wisconsin
College football hot seat tracker: Wisconsin closing in on Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell
Sadly, the faculty soccer common season has come to an finish. Whereas the motion on the sphere could also be dwindling down, the top of the common season opens the floodgates for main exercise within the teaching market. Which head coaches have been fired? Who’s on the transfer to a different job? Here’s a operating listing of the continuing motion within the school soccer teaching carousel. This shall be up to date chronologically.
Texas State fires Jake Spavital
After 4 seasons, Texas State is reportedly shifting on from Jake Spavital, who had a 13-35 report in his tenure. The Bobcats went 3-9 in his first season, 2-10 in his second season after which posted a 4-8 report in 2021 and 2022.
Spavital leaned closely on junior school transfers and including gamers from the switch portal to construct his rosters moderately than recruit Texas excessive colleges. That method didn’t work out for Spavital.
Is Luke Fickell on the transfer to Wisconsin?
Since Wisconsin fired Paul Chryst again on Oct. 2, indicators have pointed towards Jim Leonhard being elevated to the full-time job.
Leonhard, a Wisconsin native, UW soccer alum and longtime NFL participant, was Chryst’s defensive coordinator and checked out as a rising star within the teaching occupation. Following Chryst’s dismissal, he served because the Badgers’ interim head coach over the previous seven weeks, however Wisconsin went simply 4-3 beneath his watch. Wisconsin dropped to 6-6 with a loss to Minnesota on Saturday.
On Sunday, it seems that the UW brass could also be wanting in one other route. ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that Wisconsin is focusing on Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell to be its subsequent head coach. Per Thamel, no deal has been signed however “there is a robust push” by Wisconsin to conform to a take care of Fickell “within the subsequent 48 hours.”
Fickell is 57-18 in six years teaching the Bearcats and famously led UC to the School Soccer Playoff in 2021. Earlier than going to Cincinnati, he was an assistant coach at Ohio State from 2002 to 2016 and had a stint as OSU’s interim head coach again in 2011.
Arizona State hires 32-year-old Kenny Dillingham
5 years in the past, Arizona State curiously employed 63-year-old Herm Edwards to guide its soccer program. ASU’s new head coach is half that age.
The Solar Devils introduced the rent of 32-year-old Kenny Dillingham on Sunday morning. Dillingham, an Arizona State alum, spent the 2022 season because the offensive coordinator at Oregon. Earlier than his season in Eugene, Dillingham had stints because the offensive coordinator at Memphis, Auburn and Florida State.
The Arizona native turns into the youngest FBS head coach and he’s inheriting a program that simply went 3-9. You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the Dillingham rent right here.
David Shaw resigns after one other dropping season
David Shaw by no means received fewer than eight video games over his first eight seasons as Stanford’s head coach. Throughout that span, the Cardinal received three Pac-12 titles and two Rose Bowls. Since then, issues have taken a large downswing, resulting in Shaw’s resignation late Saturday night time.
Stanford went 3-9 in every of the final two seasons with only a 3-15 report in Pac-12 play. Shaw stepped down following a loss to BYU on Saturday night time.
“After many prayers and a number of discussions with my spouse, one phrase retains coming to me — it is time,” Shaw stated. “There will not be enough phrases to explain the love and gratitude I really feel for my household, all of my former and present gamers, my workers, this administration and all the Stanford household. Thanks all.”
In 12 seasons, Shaw had a 96-54 report at his alma mater. He’s the winningest coach in program historical past.
For extra on Shaw’s determination to step down, click on right here.
FAU strikes on from Willie Taggart after 3 seasons
Willie Taggart’s tenure at Florida Atlantic is over after three seasons. Taggart went 15-18 in three seasons teaching the Owls and solely as soon as made a bowl. FAU misplaced 32-31 Saturday to Western Kentucky in time beyond regulation to fall to 5-7 on the yr. Taggart was beforehand the pinnacle coach at Florida State, Oregon, South Florida and Western Kentucky.
For extra on Taggart’s dismissal, click on right here.
Nebraska lands Matt Rhule
Nebraska and Matt Rhule have agreed to an eight-year contract for Rhule to be the Huskers’ new soccer coach.
Rhule most just lately had a tricky run as the pinnacle coach of the Carolina Panthers, however he beforehand executed main rebuilds at each Temple and Baylor.
Below Rhule’s watch, Temple went from 2-10 in his first season to successful a mixed 20 video games over his final two seasons with this system, together with a convention title. Rhule then went to Baylor within the fallout of the Artwork Briles scandal. The Bears went simply 1-11 in Rhule’s first season. By Yr 3, Baylor received 11 video games and performed for the Massive 12 championship.
A equally troublesome rebuild shall be in retailer for Rhule in Lincoln. Nebraska hasn’t had a successful season since 2016. The Huskers completed the 2022 season at 4-8 and have a mixed 23-45 report during the last six seasons.