sport news Wisconsin chooses Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell to revamp the school's ... trends now
Wisconsin is bringing Cincinnati's Luke Fickell back to the Big Ten.
Athletic director Chris McIntosh announced Sunday that the Badgers had hired Fickell to take over their football program after his successful run with the Bearcats.
Fickell posted a 57-18 record in six seasons at Cincy and helped the Bearcats earn a College Football Playoff berth last year. The former Ohio State defensive lineman and longtime assistant went 6-7 as the Buckeyes' interim coach in 2011 after Jim Tressel's resignation.
Wisconsin is bringing Cincinnati's Luke Fickell back to the Big Ten. Athletic director Chris McIntosh announced Sunday that the Badgers had hired Fickell to take over their football program after his successful run with the Bearcats
Wisconsin (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) is awaiting its bowl assignment. A loss in the bowl game would cause the Badgers to finish below .500 for the first time since 2001
'This is a destination job at a program that I have admired from afar for years,' Fickell said in a statement released by the university. 'I am in total alignment with Chris McIntosh's vision for this program. There is a tremendous foundation here that I can't wait to build upon.'
Fickell informed the Bearcats players earlier Sunday that he was leaving the school. Cincinnati named veteran assistant Kerry Coombs interim coach.
Fickell, 49, takes over for interim coach and former Badgers defensive back Jim Leonhard, who replaced Paul Chryst on October 2.
Chryst went 67-26 in 7 1/2 seasons. He was fired one day after the Badgers lost 34-10 at home to an Illinois team led by former Badgers coach Bret Bielema.
'Luke is one of the top football coaches in the country. He is a proven winner, recruiter and developer of players,' McIntosh said in a statement. 'Equally as important, he shares our values. Coach Fickell is focused on giving our student-athletes the best opportunities possible and is attuned to the changing landscape of college athletics.
'I have every confidence that he will respect and honor the foundation that has been set for our football program over the years while embracing the exciting opportunities ahead.'
Wisconsin (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) is awaiting its bowl assignment. A loss in the bowl game would cause the Badgers to finish below .500 for the first time since 2001.
