Luke Fickell reveals why he accepted Wisconsin head coaching job

Luke Fickell had a great thing going at Cincinnati, but there was some “unique” about Wisconsin that pulled him into a new job.

Fickell made waves when he coached the Bearcats, including leading them to the College Football Playoff, becoming the first Group of Five team to do so. But the Badgers offered something at the right time.

That’s how Fickell described it when he talked with On3’s Andy Staples live from Big Ten Media Days.

“Timing has a lot to do with it,” Fickell said on Andy Staples On3. “And I don’t just mean you know, my timing being that it was, you know, if there was ever going to do this, it was something about the age of my kids and the opportunities that if we’re going to do it, it’s got to be right for everybody. I think also the timing of college football, right? I mean, where exactly are we going in the next three years? 

“I don’t know what is exactly going to be, but the Big Ten is going to be at the forefront of whatever that is. And so those things added along with me recognizing and all of a sudden noticing and learning a little bit more about all the things that Wisconsin has to offer for me. (It’s on the) professional side but also to my family on their side as well. Very unique.”

Fickell went 57-18 at Cincinnati and the school made the move to the Power Five in the Big 12. Many figured Fickell would stay put now that his program would be elevated to a higher conference.

But Wisconsin was too good to pass up. The Big Ten is currently in an arms race with the SEC. Plus, expansion is coming in 2024 with USC and UCLA joining.

“Understanding and recognizing what the culture, what I assumed the culture was like from afar,” Fickell said. “Felt like something that would be really, really in my wheelhouse. That’s why I said it’s exceeded my expectations in just the way I believe I fit and we fit and the things we’ve been able to do. But I think there’s quite a uniqueness when you put the family involved as well.

“That’s a big part of it. Timing has a lot to do with that. But the ability for my family, our families, the people that have come with us to do what it is they want to do and be able to do it with their own kids as well.”