Luke Fickell
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1973)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Luke Fickell
| image = Fickell (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Fickell with Cincinnati in 2019
| current_title = Head coach
| current_team = Wisconsin
| current_conference = Big Ten
| current_record = 13–13
| contract =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|8|18}}
| birth_place = Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater =
| player_years1 = 1993–1996
| player_team1 = Ohio State
| player_positions = Nose guard
| player_years2 = 1997
| player_team2 = New Orleans Saints
| coach_years1 = 1999
| coach_team1 = Ohio State (GA)
| coach_years2 = 2000–2001
| coach_team2 = Akron (DL)
| coach_years3 = 2002–2003
| coach_team3 = Ohio State (ST)
| coach_years4 = 2004
| coach_team4 = Ohio State (LB)
| coach_years5 = 2005–2010
| coach_team5 = Ohio State (co-DC/LB)
| coach_years6 = 2011
| coach_team6 = Ohio State (interim HC)
| coach_years7 = 2012–2016
| coach_team7 = Ohio State (co-DC/LB)
| coach_years8 = 2017–2022
| coach_team8 = Cincinnati
| coach_years9 = 2023–present
| coach_team9 = Wisconsin
| overall_record = 76–38 ({{winpct|76|38|0}})
| bowl_record = 3–4 ({{winpct|3|4|0}})
| tournament_record = 0–1 (CFP)
| championships = 2 AAC (2020, 2021)
1 AAC East Division (2019)
| awards = {{plainlist|
- Home Depot Coach of the Year (2021)
- AFCA Coach of the Year Award (2021)
- Sporting News Coach of the Year (2021)
- Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (2021)
- Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (2021)
- Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (2021)
- 3× AAC Coach of the Year (2018, 2020–2021)
- AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year (2010)
- 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1995, 1996)
}}
| coaching_records =
}}
Luke Joseph Fickell (born August 18, 1973) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a position he has held since 2023. Previously he was the head coach at the University of Cincinnati, a position he held from 2016 through 2022. Fickell played college football as a nose guard at Ohio State University from 1993 to 1996 and then was an assistant coach for the Buckeyes. He was interim head coach at Ohio State for the entire 2011 season.
Playing career
Fickell started his playing career at St. Francis DeSales High School, where he was a two-time first-team All-Ohio defensive tackle as well as a three-time state champion in wrestling.{{cite news|last1=Galbincea|first1=Pat|title=Luke Fickell could have been Ohio's best ... wrestler|url=http://www.cleveland.com/osu/2011/09/luke_fickell_could_have_been_o.html|access-date=April 6, 2018|work=The Plain Dealer|date=September 1, 2011}} After redshirting for the Buckeyes in 1992, Fickell was a standout defensive player, making a school-record 50 consecutive starts at the nose guard position from 1993 to 1996. In his freshman year, he lined up next to Dan Wilkinson. Despite having a torn pectoral muscle, Fickell started the 1997 Rose Bowl, making two tackles in the Buckeyes' victory over Arizona State. After graduating from Ohio State in 1997, Fickell signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL).{{Cite news |date=July 24, 1997 |title=Injuries are name of game at NFL camps |work=Albany Times Union |via= HighBeam Research |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156941043.html |url-status=dead |access-date=January 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216054851/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156941043.html |archive-date=February 16, 2013}} After tearing his ACL, he spent the remainder of the season on the injured reserve list and was later released by the team.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Greg |date=December 5, 2021 |title=Cincinnati's Luke Fickell gets NFL interest |url=https://nypost.com/2021/12/05/cincinnatis-luke-fickell-gets-nfl-interest/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Pelissero |first=Tom |date=December 5, 2021 |title=Cincinnati Bearcats coach Luke Fickell interviewed with Lions last year, remains on teams' radar |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/luke-fickell-cincinnati-bearcats-head-coach-interviewed-with-lions-last-year |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
Coaching career
=Akron=
After a brief stint in the NFL and at Ohio State as a graduate assistant in 1999,{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Tia |date=September 5, 2019 |title=A look back at Luke Fickell's career at Ohio State |url=https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2019/9/5/20847870/luke-fickell-ohio-state-ohio-state-career-history |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Land-Grant Holy Land |language=en}} in 2000 Fickell was hired by the University of Akron as the defensive line coach.{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Spencer |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Football: What hiring of Luke Fickell means for future of Wisconsin football |url=https://badgerherald.com/sports/2022/12/01/football-what-hiring-of-luke-fickell-means-for-future-of-wisconsin-football |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=The Badger Herald}}{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Dylan |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Get to know Wisconsin football's newest head coach Luke Fickell |url=https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2022/12/get-to-know-wisconsin-footballs-newest-head-coach-luke-fickell?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=The Daily Cardinal |language=en}}
=Ohio State=
After two seasons with the Zips, he returned to Ohio State in 2002 as the special teams coordinator under second-year head coach, Jim Tressel, helping guide the team to the 2002 BCS National Championship.{{Cite web |last=Wadleigh |first=Matt |date=October 3, 2021 |title=Ohio State's Jim Tressel, who employed Luke Fickell, discusses USC candidate |url=https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/03/ohio-states-jim-tressel-who-employed-luke-fickell-discusses-usc-candidate/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Trojans Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Helwagen |first=Steve |date=January 3, 2023 |title=Remembering 2002: National title game win over Miami was 20 years ago today |url=https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/longformarticle/remembering-2002-national-title-game-win-over-miami-was-20-years-202034093/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en}} In 2004, Fickell took over as the linebackers coach, adding the title co-defensive coordinator to his responsibilities in 2005. In 2010, he was named assistant coach of the year by the AFCA, joining a list of Buckeyes coaches to be recognized by the association that also includes Carroll Widdoes, Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce, and Jim Tressel.{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2011 |title=Luke Fickell named assistant head football coach for Ohio State Buckeyes |url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2011/03/luke_fickell_names_assistant_h.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=cleveland.com |language=en}}
In 2011, Fickell was originally named to serve as interim head coach in place of Jim Tressel, who was given a five-game suspension by the NCAA due to a recruiting scandal. However, in May of that year, Tressel resigned and Fickell was given a one-year contract to serve as interim coach, only for the 2011 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42344926/fickell_oneyear_contract_as_interim/|title=Fickell to get paid $775,000: Ohio State University football|last=Miller|first=Rusty|date=October 11, 2011|work=The Freemont News-Messenger|access-date=January 15, 2020}}
After Ohio State posted a 6–6 regular season record,{{Cite web |title=2011 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/2011-schedule.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Fickell was passed up as the permanent head coach, and instead Ohio State hired Urban Meyer. Fickell guided the Buckeyes to the 2012 Gator Bowl against the Florida Gators.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Tom |date=December 4, 2011 |title=Gator Bowl 2012: Ohio State Vs. Florida In Urban Meyer Bowl |url=https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2011/12/4/2610989/gator-bowl-2012-ohio-state-vs-florida-in-urban-meyer-bowl |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=SB Nation Cleveland |language=en}} After Meyer took the helm, Fickell returned to his old job as co-defensive coordinator (helping guide the Buckeyes to the 2014 CFP National Championship), a job in which he served until he was named head coach at Cincinnati.{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |date=November 29, 2011 |title=Meyer makes right call in retaining Fickell |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/40090/meyer-makes-right-call-in-retaining-fickell |access-date=May 3, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}} While on Meyer's staff, Fickell was part of the coaching staff that won the National Championship in the 2014 season.{{Cite web |last=Rohan |first=Tim |date=January 13, 2015 |title=From Big Ten to Big One |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/sports/ncaafootball/ohio-state-upsets-oregon-and-wins-national-championship.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}
=Cincinnati=
On December 10, 2016, Fickell was named as the 42nd head coach of the University of Cincinnati, taking the place of the resigning Tommy Tuberville.{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |date=December 10, 2016 |title=Cincinnati hires Luke Fickell as head coach |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18248473/cincinnati-bearcats-hire-luke-fickell-head-coach |access-date=May 3, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web|title=Luke Fickell – Football Coach|url=https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/luke-fickell/1747|access-date=December 8, 2021|website=University of Cincinnati Athletics|language=en}}
In his first season, Fickell led the Bearcats to a 4–8 record.{{Cite web |title=2017 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/cincinnati/2017-schedule.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
The 2018 season would be a historic turnaround of the program, finishing with an 11–2 record and a 35–31 victory in the Military Bowl over Virginia Tech.{{Cite web |title=2018 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/cincinnati/2018-schedule.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Military Bowl – Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech Box Score, December 31, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-12-31-virginia-tech.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Fickell was named AAC Coach of the Year for the 2018 season,{{Cite web |title=AAC Coach of the Year Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/american-coy.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} which was only the third 11-win season in the University of Cincinnati history.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bearcats College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/cincinnati/index.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
He led the team to another 11-win season in 2019.{{Cite web |title=2019 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/cincinnati/2019-schedule.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Bearcats reeled off nine straight wins after falling 42–0 to Ohio State in the second game of the year.{{Cite web |last=Means |first=Stephen |date=September 7, 2019 |title=Ohio State football 42, Cincinnati 0: Six plays that defined the game |url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2019/09/ohio-state-football-42-cincinnati-0-six-plays-that-defined-the-game.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=cleveland.com |language=en}} The team won the East Division championship in the AAC for the first time,{{Cite web |title=2019 American Athletic Conference Year Summary |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfbconferences/american/2019.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} but fell two straight weeks to Memphis, in the final regular season game and in the AAC Conference Championship.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati at Memphis Box Score, November 29, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-11-29-memphis.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati at Memphis Box Score, December 7, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-07-memphis.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} For the second straight year, Cincinnati won its bowl game over an Atlantic Coast Conference team, winning the Birmingham Bowl over Boston College by a score of 38–6.{{Cite magazine |last=Black |first=A. J. |date=January 2, 2020 |title=Cincinnati 38 Boston College 6: Bearcats Push Around Overmatched Eagles |url=https://www.si.com/college/bostoncollege/football/boston-college-loses-to-cincinnati-38-6-in-birmingham-bowl-loss |access-date=July 9, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}
Before the start of the 2020 season Fickell agreed to a contract extension which would keep him at Cincinnati through the 2026 season.{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |date=August 25, 2020 |title=Cincinnati football coach Luke Fickell finalizes contract extension through 2026 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29738486/cincinnati-head-coach-luke-fickell-finalizes-contract-extension-2026 |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} Fickell had previously received head coaching interest from other schools such as Michigan State,{{Cite web |last=Charboneau |first=Matt |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Luke Fickell says no to Michigan State; 'family' keeps him at Cincinnati |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state-university/2020/02/10/cincinnatis-luke-fickell-says-no-msu-coaching-job/4712118002/ |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=DetroitNews.com}} Florida State,{{Cite web |last=Henry |first=Jim |date=November 30, 2019 |title='Renaissance of FSU football' on the clock as coaching search continues |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/2019/11/30/renaissance-fsu-football-clock-coaching-search-continues/4333848002/ |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=Tallahassee.com}} West Virginia,{{Cite web |last=Daugherty |first=Paul |date=January 4, 2019 |title=Doc: WVU was UC coach Luke Fickell's first suitor, but he's not Brian Kelly or Butch Jones |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2019/01/04/doc-west-virginia-uc-coach-fickells-first-suitor-wont-last/2486591002/ |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=Cincinnati.com}} Louisville,{{Cite web |last=Sayers |first=Justin |date=November 29, 2018 |title=Meet Cincinnati's Luke Fickell, possible Louisville coaching candidate |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/11/29/cincinnati-coach-luke-fickell-possible-louisville-football-candidate/2148818002/ |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=courier-journal.com}} and Maryland.{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Dan |date=November 27, 2018 |title=Luke Fickell Drawing Interest From Major School |url=https://thespun.com/big-ten/maryland/luke-fickell-maryland-football-job-cincinnati-mike-locksley-urban-meyer |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=The Spun }}
Fickell was one of thirteen coaches named to the watchlist for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award before the 2020 season.{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2020 |title=The Dodd Trophy Announces 2020 Preseason Watch List |url=https://chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/news/2020/9/3/2020_Dodd_Trophy_Announces_Preseason_Watch_List.aspx |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=chick-fil-apeachbowl.com}}
In 2020, Luke Fickell led the Cincinnati Bearcats to a 9–1 campaign including Cincinnati's second perfect regular season which included winning the 2020 AAC Championship Game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Cincinnati was selected for the 2021 Peach Bowl against the #9 Georgia Bulldogs. Both teams went into the game down a number of key players due to injury, illness, or opt-outs, including Cincinnati's two All-Americans Sauce Gardner and James Wiggins. After leading by a score of 21–10 entering the fourth quarter, Cincinnati ultimately fell to Georgia on a 53-yard field goal with 7 seconds left in the game, by a final score of 24–21. Fickell was named AAC Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.
In 2021, Fickell again led the Bearcats to a perfect regular-season record, including non-conference wins at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Indiana Hoosiers. Cincinnati then defended their American Athletic Conference Football Championship with a 35–20 victory over the Houston Cougars. With a record of 13–0 as the only undefeated team in the nation, Cincinnati was selected as the #4 seed in the College Football Playoff, making them the first program outside of a "Power 5" conference to advance. Fickell was named AAC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career, and for the second consecutively, as well as being named the winner of six other major awards including Home Depot Coach of the Year,{{Cite web|title=Fickell Named The Home Depot National Coach of the Year|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2021/12/7/football-fickell-named-the-home-depot-national-coach-of-the-year.aspx|access-date=December 8, 2021|website=University of Cincinnati Athletics|language=en}} Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year,{{cite news|last1=Decourcy|first1=Mike|title=Luke Fickell's history-making season earns him Sporting News Coach of the Year award|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/luke-fickell-sporting-news-coach-of-the-year/h3him73kuodr1iv3a3m40bk7v|access-date=January 6, 2022|work=Sporting News|date=December 16, 2021}} Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year,{{cite web |url=https://www.fox19.com/2021/12/31/luke-fickell-wins-2021-coach-year-award/#:~:text=CINCINNATI%20(WXIX)%20%2D%20University%20of,of%20scholarship%2C%20leadership%20and%20integrity. |title=Luke Fickell wins Dodd Trophy for Coach of The Year |last=Digital Staff |first=FOX19 |date=December 30, 2021 |website=fox19.com |access-date=January 6, 2022 }} Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year,{{cite web |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/college-football/eddie-robinson-coach-of-the-year-award-goes-to-playoff-semifinalist/. |title=Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award goes to Playoff semifinalist |last=Farner|first=Keith |date=December 20, 2021 |website=saturdaydownsouth.com |access-date=January 6, 2022 }} AFCA Coach of the Year,{{cite press release|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2022/1/9/football-fickell-named-afca-coach-of-year.aspx|title=Fickell Named AFCA Coach of Year|publisher=GoBearcats |date=January 9, 2022 |access-date=January 9, 2022}} and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award.{{cite news |last1=Durante |first1=Joseph |title=Cincinnati's Luke Fickell wins Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Cincinnati-s-Luke-Fickell-wins-Paul-Bear-Bryant-16771761.php |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=January 12, 2022}} Later on Cincinnati would go on to lose the College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl Semifinal to the University of Alabama and Head coach Nick Saban falling to them 27–6.{{cite web | title=Alabama, Brian Robinson run over Cincinnati 27–6 in Playoff semifinal win in Cotton Bowl | website=New York Times| date=December 31, 2021 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3548928/2021/12/31/alabama-brian-robinson-run-over-cincinnati-27-6-in-playoff-semifinal-win-in-cotton-bowl/ | access-date=September 15, 2024}}
In the 2022 season, Fickell led the team to a 9–3 record in the regular season.{{Cite web |title=2022 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/cincinnati/2022-schedule.html |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Bearcats lost to Louisville 24–7 in the Fenway Bowl, although Fickell had resigned prior to the bowl game.{{Cite web |title=Fenway Bowl – Cincinnati vs Louisville Box Score, December 17, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-12-17-louisville.html |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
File:Camp Randall Club Live Kickoff (54050866004) (cropped) Luke Fickell.jpg
= Wisconsin =
In November 2022, Wisconsin hired Fickell as its football coach replacing Paul Chryst.{{Cite web |last=Thamel |first=Pete |date=November 27, 2022 |title=Wisconsin brings in Cincinnati's Fickell as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35121689/sources-wisconsin-makes-push-hire-luke-fickell-coach |access-date=November 28, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Gaydos |first=Ryan |date=November 27, 2022 |title=Wisconsin taps Luke Fickell for football job after great run with Cincinnati: 'He is a transformative hire' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/wisconsin-taps-luke-fickell-football-job-great-run-cincinnati-transformative-hire |access-date=November 28, 2022 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2022 |title=Fickell ushers in new era of Badger football |url=https://uwbadgers.com/news/2022/11/27/football-fickell-ushers-in-new-era-of-badger-football.aspx |access-date=November 27, 2022 |website=uwbadgers.com |language=en}} Fickell was credited with coaching and winning his first game only several weeks after being hired, replacing interim Jim Leonhard in title for the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Fickell admitted however that Leonhard was still effectively performing the head coaching duties for the game, and that his own participation was as, "maybe a little bit more of a figurehead".{{Cite web |date=2022-12-26 |title=Fickell to defer to Leonhard for Wisconsin's bowl |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35324598/luke-fickell-remain-background-wisconsin-bowl |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
In Fickell's first full season as head coach in 2023, he led the Badgers to a 7–5 record in the regular season.{{Cite web |title=2023 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin/2023-schedule.html |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Badgers ultimately lost 35–31 to the LSU Tigers in the ReliaQuest Bowl for a final record of 7–6.{{Cite web |title=ReliaQuest Bowl – Wisconsin vs LSU Box Score, January 1, 2024 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2024-01-01-louisiana-state.html |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Following the season, Fickell received a one year contract extension and pay raise in January 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2024/01/26/wisconsins-luke-fickell-3-other-fall-coaches-get-contract-extensions/72364919007/ | title=Wisconsin's Luke Fickell, three other fall sports coaches receive contract extensions }}
The 2024 season was less successful. Off the field, Fickell's handpicked advisor Jack Del Rio{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Mark |title=Luke Fickell explains how adding Jack Del Rio to the coaching staff will help Wisconsin football |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2024/09/02/wisconsins-luke-fickell-explains-how-jack-del-rio-will-help-badgers/75037360007/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Journal Sentinel |language=en-US}} resigned mid-season after crashing his vehicle onto a neighborhood residence while intoxicated,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Badgers' Del Rio to resign after crash, OWI arrest |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/42329430/wisconsin-adviser-jack-del-rio-arrested-owi-crash |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} and Fickell fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo after 10 games, with no named replacement for the remainder of the season. Fickell received criticism for answering, "Why does it matter?" when asked who would call plays in place of Longo.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=Wisconsin's Luke Fickell gives infuriating answer when asked about play-calling |url=https://badgerofhonor.com/wisconsin-luke-fickell-gives-infuriating-answer-when-asked-about-play-calling |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Badger of Honor |language=en-us}} After a 5–2 start to the season, the Badgers lost 5 consecutive games to conclude 2024; the 5–7 record guaranteed a losing season and no Wisconsin bowl game for the first time in 22 years.{{Cite web |last=Marotta |first=Karley |date=2024-11-29 |title=Minnesota wins 24–7 to secure the Axe, ends Wisconsin's 22-year bowl streak |url=https://www.wkow.com/sports/minnesota-wins-24-7-to-secure-the-axe-ends-wisconsins-22-year-bowl-streak/article_bc72e3b8-ae8a-11ef-83cc-bf71a4c0084e.html |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=WKOW |language=en}} In addition, Wisconsin lost all three trophy games to Big Ten rivals by large margins. During the offseason, Fickell received another contract extension.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell gets 1-year extension on contract that runs through 2031 |url=https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2025/02/20/wisconsin-coach-luke-fickell-gets-1-year-extension-on-contract-that-runs-through-2031/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Wausau Pilot & Review|agency=Associated Press}}
Personal life
Luke Fickell and his wife, Amy (Goecke), who has a physical therapy degree from Ohio State, have six children—five sons and one daughter—including two sets of twin boys.{{Cite web |last=Groeschen |first=Tom |date=December 10, 2016 |title=UC has hired Luke Fickell as coach |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2016/12/10/report-uc-has-hired-fickell-coach/95253530/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=The Enquirer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Luke Fickell |url=http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/luke_fickell_757652.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216065844/http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/luke_fickell_757652.html |archive-date=December 16, 2016 |access-date=December 11, 2016 |website=Ohio State Buckeyes Athletics}} They started dating when Amy was a sophomore at Ohio State; they were married in 2000.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Justin |date=August 16, 2021 |title=Amy Fickell is a coach's wife, but she's also a player's mom, ace recruiter, levitator and much more |url=https://theathletic.com/2764993/2021/08/16/amy-fickell-is-a-coachs-wife-but-shes-also-a-players-mom-ace-recruiter-levitator-and-much-more/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=The Athletic |language=en}} Fickell and his family are Catholic, which played a factor in Fickell's interest in coming to Cincinnati.{{cite web |url=https://www.wcpo.com/sports/college-sports/university-of-cincinnati-sports/luke-fickell-isnt-fickle-about-anything-and-certainly-not-family-faith-or-his-football-team |title=Luke Fickell isn't fickle about anything, and certainly not family, faith or his football team |last=O'Rourke |first=Tanya |date=August 30, 2017 |website=wcpo.com |access-date=August 26, 2020 |quote=2. Was your Catholic faith a factor in choosing where you wanted to be a head coach? LF: “I’m not sure it was one of those things where you say, ‘I’ve got to go to a place that has a high Catholic influence or community,' but my family, like I said, is the number one most important thing to me. And for my family to go to a place where they felt like they could thrive and truly set roots and say, 'We can live here for 10, 12, 15 years' or whatever … to be in a community like this where there are a lot of options for schools, youth sports. There were a lot of factors, and obviously, faith was a big part of that thought.” }}
Fickell's eldest son, Landon, committed to Cincinnati as an offensive guard out of Moeller High School as part of the 2021 recruitment class.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Mick |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Landon Fickell Joins The Family With Cincinnati Commitment |url=https://247sports.com/college/cincinnati/Article/Landon-Fickell-Joins-The-Family-With-Cincinnati-Commitment--146441752/ |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=247sports.com}}
Head coaching record
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Ohio State Buckeyes
| conf = Big Ten Conference
| startyear = 2011
| endyear = single
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2011
| name = Ohio State
| overall = 6–7
| conference = 3–5
| confstanding = 4th (Leaders)
| bowlname = Gator
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Ohio State
| overall = 6–7
| confrecord = 3–5
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Cincinnati Bearcats
| conf = American Athletic Conference
| startyear = 2017
| endyear = 2022
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2017
| name = Cincinnati
| overall = 4–8
| conference = 2–6
| confstanding = T–4th (East)
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2018
| name = Cincinnati
| overall = 11–2
| conference = 6–2
| confstanding = 3rd (East)
| bowlname = Military
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 23
| ranking2 = 24
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = division
| year = 2019
| name = Cincinnati
| overall = 11–3
| conference = 7–1
| confstanding = 1st (East)
| bowlname = Birmingham
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 21
| ranking2 = 21
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2020
| name = Cincinnati
| overall = 9–1
| conference = 6–0
| confstanding = 1st
| bowlname = Peach
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 8
| ranking2 = 8
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2021
| name = Cincinnati
| overall = 13–1
| conference = 8–0
| confstanding = 1st
| bowlname = Cotton
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 4
| ranking2 = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2022
| name = Cincinnati
| overall = 9–3
| conference = 6–2
| confstanding = 3rd
| bowlname = Fenway*
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Cincinnati
| overall = 57–18
| confrecord = 35–11
}}*resigned prior to bowl game
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Wisconsin Badgers
| conf = Big Ten Conference
| startyear = 2023
| endyear =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2022
| name = Wisconsin
| overall = 1–0
| conference = 0–0
| confstanding = 5th (West)
| bowlname = Guaranteed Rate
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2023
| name = Wisconsin
| overall = 7–6
| conference = 5–4
| confstanding = T–2nd (West)
| bowlname = ReliaQuest
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2024
| name = Wisconsin
| overall = 5–7
| conference = 3–6
| confstanding = T–12th
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2025
| name = Wisconsin
| overall = 0–0
| conference = 0–0
| confstanding =
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Wisconsin
| overall = 13–13
| confrecord = 8–10
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
| overall = 76–38
| yearstart = 2020
| poll = two
}}
{{notelist|group=record}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/luke-fickell/2130 Wisconsin profile]
- [https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/luke-fickell/1580 Cincinnati profile]
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/luke-fickell-1.html Coaching statistics] at Sports Reference
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{{Bobby Dodd Award}}
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{{Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year}}
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}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fickell, Luke}}
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