Luke Fickell sends emotional message to Cincinnati following Playoff loss

Although a loss Friday in the Cotton Bowl stings for Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell, he knows it’s not how he will remember this season. The Bearcats accomplished a lot in 2021, including becoming the first Group of 5 school to make the College Football Playoff.

They captivated the country, which fervently debated whether or not they belonged. They won a conference championship, earning the chance to prove themselves among the nation’s best. And even though they came up short, they’ll still go down in history.

In his postgame interview following a 27-6 loss to Alabama, Fickell tried to relay that message to everyone listening.

“We have the opportunity to sit back and reflect a little more and recognize where it is that we’ve come from,” he said. “I mean that just in the last five years. I don’t know if I can see it or think about it right now in the midst of this, but I promise you my wife will make me tonight. I’ll try to take a couple deep breaths and recognize what these guys have done for us as where they’ve taken us.”

Emotional Luke Fickell: "Take a few deep breaths tonight and realize where these guys have taken us." #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/SZubb26la2

— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) January 1, 2022

When Fickell took over the Bearcats program in 2017, they were coming off of a 4-8 finish. They replicated that record in the coach’s inaugural season, but quickly turned things around. Since 2018, Cincinnati has finished with at least 11 wins in three of four seasons. The only year in which they didn’t was 2020, and that was because they played just 10 games.

With the conclusion of this season, Luke Fickell will have to say goodbye to many of the players who were a part of his first recruiting class in Cincinnati. That is what makes an already tough loss even that much more emotional for the coach.

The Bearcats struggled to move the ball, and were outgained 482-218 on the afternoon. Although they kept the passing game in check, they allowed Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson to gain 204 yards rushing.

Still, the loss can’t take away from everything they achieved this year. Many years into the future, Fickell, the players and college football fans everywhere will remember this Cincinnati football team.