Wisconsin to hire Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell as new football coach

Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell knowledgeable his crew on Sunday that he’s leaving the college, paving the way in which for him to develop into the following head coach at Wisconsin.

An individual with data of Fickell’s choice informed The Related Press that Fickell was leaving and veteran assistant coach Kerry Coombs was being named interim coach of the Bearcats.

The particular person spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity as a result of Wisconsin was nonetheless finalizing approval of Fickell’s contract.

Wisconsin’s Board of Regents scheduled a particular closed assembly for Sunday afternoon “to think about employment and extra compensation agreements for the UW-Madison head soccer coach,” based on a gathering discover posted on-line.

One other particular person accustomed to the state of affairs informed the AP earlier Sunday that Wisconsin and Fickell have been progressing in negotiations towards a deal.

Fickell, 49, has posted a 57-18 document in six seasons at Cincinnati and helped the Bearcats earn a School Soccer Playoff berth final 12 months. The previous Ohio State linebacker went 6-7 because the Buckeyes’ interim head coach in 2011, after Jim Tressel’s resignation.

Fickell will take over for interim coach and former Badgers star participant Jim Leonhard, who changed Paul Chryst on Oct. 2.

Chryst went 67-26 in 7¹⁄₂ seasons. He was fired at some point after the Badgers misplaced 34-10 at dwelling to an Illinois crew led by former Badgers coach Bret Bielema.

Wisconsin (6-6, 4-5 Massive Ten) is awaiting its bowl project. A loss of their bowl sport would trigger the Badgers to complete beneath .500 for the primary time since 2001.

Leonhard was promoted from defensive coordinator after Chryst’s firing and led Wisconsin to a 4-3 document over the ultimate seven video games of the common season. Leonhard stated Saturday after the Badgers’ 23-16 dwelling loss to Minnesota that he had interviewed with athletic director Chris McIntosh earlier within the week.

“I believe whoever hires coaches goes to be an fool in the event that they don’t rent coach Leonhard,” security John Torchio stated after the Minnesota sport. “I don’t know if I ought to say that, however I’ll say it.”

The Badgers as a substitute are hiring the man who led Cincinnati to the primary CFP berth for any Group of 5 college. Fickell gained a number of nationwide coach of the 12 months awards final season for serving to Cincinnati go 13-0 earlier than dropping to Alabama in a Cotton Bowl semifinal.

That 2021 Cincinnati crew produced 9 draft picks for the third-highest whole of any college, behind solely Georgia’s 15 and LSU’s 10. 5 Cincinnati gamers have been chosen among the many prime 100 general picks.

After changing all that NFL expertise, Cincinnati has gone 9-3 this season. The Bearcats didn’t qualify for the American Athletic Convention championship sport that takes place Saturday.

Cincinnati went 4-8 in Fickell’s debut season of 2017 however has gone 53-10 since.

Fickell’s Cincinnati gamers additionally succeeded within the classroom. Heading into this season, Cincinnati had a 100% commencement charge amongst gamers who had stayed in this system for 4 years underneath Fickell.