ESPN report: Kerry Coombs named Cincinnati interim head coach after Luke Fickell leaves for Wisconsin

Longtime Cincinnati and Ohio State assistant Kerry Coombs will be the interim head coach at Cincinnati amid Luke Fickell’s departure, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN.

The news comes after Fickell it was reported that Fickell has told the Bearcats he’s taking over as the Wisconsin Badgers head coach, effectively ending his tenure at Cincinnati.

“Sources: Kerry Coombs is the interim coach at Cincinnati,” tweeted Thamel.

At the collegiate level, Coombs has never been a head coach, but has been revered for his work on the defensive side of the football. Additionally, he has experience in the NFL, an assistant for the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2019.

Now, he’ll be the leader of the Bearcats, at least for the remainder of the 2022 season. His reputation precedes him, but it could be a hypothetical audition for his next job, as well.

More on Luke Fickell leaving Cincinnati Bearcats for Wisconsin

As mentioned, Wisconsin has their next leader — the Badgers are hiring Luke Fickell to takeover their program full time after an impressive stint as the leader of the Cincinnati Bearcats.

According to Justin Williams of The Athletic, Fickell has informed the Bearcats that he’s leaving to take the Badgers job.

“Luke Fickell will be the next head football coach at Wisconsin, sources confirm to @TheAthletic,” tweeted Williams. “Fickell informed University of Cincinnati he is leaving to take the new job. This process has been reported by multiple outlets today. @PeteThamel was first to break news of pursuit.”

The position became open earlier this season, when Wisconsin decided to part ways with longtime coach Paul Chryst. Afterwards, Jim Leonard took over as the program, steering the Badgers to victories over programs like Northwestern and Purdue.

Last season, Fickell led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff, and he’s impressed over six seasons at Cincinnati, amassing a record of 57-18. Earlier, Pete Thamel of ESPN elaborated on why Fickell would be interested in leaving what he’s built for the Badgers.

“Fickell has strong roots in the Big Ten, as he’s a long-time assistant coach and coordinator at Ohio State and played there collegiately,” wrote Thamel. “He’d been picky about jobs over the years as Cincinnati rose to the top of the Group of Five, being selective about the Midwestern footprint.”

Now, Luke Fickell will be given he keys to the castle, with the decision-makers at Wisconsin believing the now-former Cincinnati leader can get the Badgers back on track. In the Big Ten, times are changing, and the program is making the necessary moves to be competitive now, and in the future.