(11-29-2021 01:19 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:10 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 11:56 AM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  If I had to use my gut, I'd say Fickell would definitely leave Cincy for OU. One thing coaches know real well is the height in which they can take a program and the direction that they can trend towards. Cincy can't really go any higher than they are right now and the loss of Ridder is going to be a huge f'n blow. It's easily the equivalent of UCF losing Milton.

But, Fickell has turned down big ones before.

There is another angle though... They were talking on ESPN (radio) last night about the "adjustment" that Lincoln Riley will need to make moving to LA; right now, he can't go anywhere in Norman/OKC without being almost instantly recognized and mobbed. In LA, he will be "just another face in the crowd." He might like that, it might actually be a relief for he and his family to be able to "go out to eat" without people constantly mobbing them.

So here's the converse point: does Luke Fickell and family want to move into "the fishbowl." The OU coach will always be one of the large celebrities in Oklahoma. People will know when you go to McDonalds and what your favorite burger is. People will know where your wife shops and what her preference of personal garments is. When you are winning, people will want to hear your "coaching wisdom," when you lose everybody will want to tell you what play they would have called instead. God forbid, you start losing multiple games: then people will start...doing things...to let you know their displeasure.

If you're in a "small" community...a small(er) State with a passionate fan-base...it's a small echo-chamber. If you're in a larger city or a place with diverse interests, then you get some breathing room. LA is pro-sports city; Lincoln Riley can literally "disappear" into the crowd on Sunday. But, having lived in Morgantown, WV, coaches like Rich Rodriguez, Dana Holgerson, Neal Brown, and Bob Huggins have to retreat behind walls and gates...and when something happens (like Dana Holgerson being in a fender-bender) everybody knows about it.

As for UC's "ceiling"...well, the ceiling is about to go "up" with the move to the Big XII. Maybe not "astronomical," but the Big XII is definitely a "step up" from the g conferences and the AAC.

Yep... here's the recruiting class rankings since CLF got here:

2017: #63
2018: # 49
2019: # 66
2020: #41
2021: #45
2022: #30
2023: #12 (very early)

Most of the contributors on the current team are from the 2017-2019 classes. In other words, the best recruits are still underclassmen (or are not even here yet) and if they play to chalk and develop similarly to those in the past they will be better than the guys they currently have. I haven't even factored in some guys UC will be receiving in the transfer portal this cycle.

If Fickell does leave, does he take some of those recruits with him, either through transfer or HS seniors?

(11-29-2021 01:39 PM)sfink16 Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 01:19 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:10 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 11:56 AM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  If I had to use my gut, I'd say Fickell would definitely leave Cincy for OU. One thing coaches know real well is the height in which they can take a program and the direction that they can trend towards. Cincy can't really go any higher than they are right now and the loss of Ridder is going to be a huge f'n blow. It's easily the equivalent of UCF losing Milton.

But, Fickell has turned down big ones before.

There is another angle though... They were talking on ESPN (radio) last night about the "adjustment" that Lincoln Riley will need to make moving to LA; right now, he can't go anywhere in Norman/OKC without being almost instantly recognized and mobbed. In LA, he will be "just another face in the crowd." He might like that, it might actually be a relief for he and his family to be able to "go out to eat" without people constantly mobbing them.

So here's the converse point: does Luke Fickell and family want to move into "the fishbowl." The OU coach will always be one of the large celebrities in Oklahoma. People will know when you go to McDonalds and what your favorite burger is. People will know where your wife shops and what her preference of personal garments is. When you are winning, people will want to hear your "coaching wisdom," when you lose everybody will want to tell you what play they would have called instead. God forbid, you start losing multiple games: then people will start...doing things...to let you know their displeasure.

If you're in a "small" community...a small(er) State with a passionate fan-base...it's a small echo-chamber. If you're in a larger city or a place with diverse interests, then you get some breathing room. LA is pro-sports city; Lincoln Riley can literally "disappear" into the crowd on Sunday. But, having lived in Morgantown, WV, coaches like Rich Rodriguez, Dana Holgerson, Neal Brown, and Bob Huggins have to retreat behind walls and gates...and when something happens (like Dana Holgerson being in a fender-bender) everybody knows about it.

As for UC's "ceiling"...well, the ceiling is about to go "up" with the move to the Big XII. Maybe not "astronomical," but the Big XII is definitely a "step up" from the g conferences and the AAC.

Yep... here's the recruiting class rankings since CLF got here:

2017: #63
2018: # 49
2019: # 66
2020: #41
2021: #45
2022: #30
2023: #12 (very early)

Most of the contributors on the current team are from the 2017-2019 classes. In other words, the best recruits are still underclassmen (or are not even here yet) and if they play to chalk and develop similarly to those in the past they will be better than the guys they currently have. I haven't even factored in some guys UC will be receiving in the transfer portal this cycle.

If Fickell does leave, does he take some of those recruits with him, either through transfer or HS seniors?

Yeah, but Freeman will bring some with him from Notre Dame. So take the good with the bad?

(11-29-2021 01:26 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:46 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:52 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:42 PM)willhclark Wrote:  it's a nasty business.

Unfortunately Cincinnati is not a destination job and never will be.
https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Ok...76594581_1

Yea, neither is Oklahoma, apparently.

Oklahoma hasn't had a coaching search since 1998. The last time a coach left Oklahoma and coached the next season was in the 1970's. In other words, it's the definition of a destination job.

But even more recently, their Coach just left for another destination.

Until this latest shuffle OU was most definitely a top of the tops job. Moving into the SEC meat grinder,, some other programs may look more attractive. USC in an easy PAC being one(although it was probably already slightly better). If OU gets beat up in tSECw and oSu can put together a Clemson-like run it may become the more attractive job. Interesting times.

(11-29-2021 01:26 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:46 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:52 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:42 PM)willhclark Wrote:  it's a nasty business.

Unfortunately Cincinnati is not a destination job and never will be.
https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Ok...76594581_1

Yea, neither is Oklahoma, apparently.

Oklahoma hasn't had a coaching search since 1998. The last time a coach left Oklahoma and coached the next season was in the 1970's. In other words, it's the definition of a destination job.

But even more recently, their Coach just left for another destination.

I'd say it's a pretty unique situation that nobody really saw coming. Fickell to OU on the other hand is one that wouldn't surprise many people other than apparently Bearcats fans.

(11-29-2021 02:50 PM)b2b Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 01:26 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:46 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:52 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:42 PM)willhclark Wrote:  it's a nasty business.

Unfortunately Cincinnati is not a destination job and never will be.
https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Ok...76594581_1

Yea, neither is Oklahoma, apparently.

Oklahoma hasn't had a coaching search since 1998. The last time a coach left Oklahoma and coached the next season was in the 1970's. In other words, it's the definition of a destination job.

But even more recently, their Coach just left for another destination.

I'd say it's a pretty unique situation that nobody really saw coming. Fickell to OU on the other hand is one that wouldn't surprise many people other than apparently Bearcats fans.

Because most of them have been jaded for the last 3 years to only find out their head coach is staying with them. At some point you have to adjust and stop expecting the worst. They all know Luke Fickell doesn't seem like the typical coach. He won't make promises to the community but he also has some integrity to him. Fickell is almost creepy in the way he operates outside of the typical coaching mannerisms... It's not natural for his profession. The weird thing is his wife has an open mind but she has no real desire to leave and his son is on the football team and chose to play for his dad.

I don't know if Fickell has a desire to leave but he's not going to take any negotiation leverage off the table to declare he's staying at Cincinnati. He's moving in a way to make the AD sweat to get him what he desires in a timely manner. Luke Fickell has said he want to turn UC into a top 5 program and that takes time. He often chooses his words very carefully.

(11-29-2021 12:10 AM)pearland1 Wrote:  He gone!!!

Absolutely 0% chance of that happening

(11-28-2021 09:42 PM)willhclark Wrote:  it's a nasty business.

Unfortunately Cincinnati is not a destination job and never will be.
https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Ok...76594581_1

But, of course, Houston is a destination job. That’s why the entire nation was so envious when UH hired that misanthrope Dana Holgerson or Levine, or Major Applewhite——NOT. Luke Fickell is not going anywhere, and that’s from a more reliable source than your cousin’s best friend’s pastor.

(11-29-2021 02:50 PM)b2b Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 01:26 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:46 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:52 PM)Z-Fly Wrote:  

(11-28-2021 09:42 PM)willhclark Wrote:  it's a nasty business.

Unfortunately Cincinnati is not a destination job and never will be.
https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Ok...76594581_1

Yea, neither is Oklahoma, apparently.

Oklahoma hasn't had a coaching search since 1998. The last time a coach left Oklahoma and coached the next season was in the 1970's. In other words, it's the definition of a destination job.

But even more recently, their Coach just left for another destination.

I'd say it's a pretty unique situation that nobody really saw coming. Fickell to OU on the other hand is one that wouldn't surprise many people other than apparently Bearcats fans.

I think it would be a shock to a lot of people that he were to leave in the middle of a playoff run. That would be unprecedented.

And OU ain't waiting until January to hire a coach. Quite frankly, I'd be surprised if they wait until Saturday.

(11-29-2021 03:31 PM)indydoug Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:10 AM)pearland1 Wrote:  He gone!!!

Absolutely 0% chance of that happening

I don't believe Fickell is leaving, but saying there's no chance is this day and age is probably unwise.

(11-29-2021 04:14 PM)coogrfan Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 03:31 PM)indydoug Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:10 AM)pearland1 Wrote:  He gone!!!

Absolutely 0% chance of that happening

I don't believe Fickell is leaving, but saying there's no chance is this day and age is probably unwise.

Generally would agree with you but in this scenario, 0%.

(11-29-2021 04:19 PM)indydoug Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 04:14 PM)coogrfan Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 03:31 PM)indydoug Wrote:  

(11-29-2021 12:10 AM)pearland1 Wrote:  He gone!!!

Absolutely 0% chance of that happening

I don't believe Fickell is leaving, but saying there's no chance is this day and age is probably unwise.

Generally would agree with you but in this scenario, 0%.

Oklahoma is college football royalty, and is going to be in the SEC. It will be a hard one to turn down, if offered. We'll see.

It’s all over the Houston message boards that they want to create a false rumor about Luke just to cause doubt among UC fans. There is no truth to any of these rumors. So to Cougar nation STOP. Luke is not going nowhere

Oklahoma is going into the SEC and will get lost just like Nebraska got lost in the Big 10. That is why Lincoln Riley left. The future of Oklahoma football is in serious doubt. They will wind up having to compete against Alabama Georgia and Florida and it won’t be pretty.

(11-29-2021 05:12 PM)kyucat Wrote:  It’s all over the Houston message boards that they want to create a false rumor about Luke just to cause doubt among UC fans. There is no truth to any of these rumors. So to Cougar nation STOP. Luke is not going nowhere

It’s sorta pathetic. UC has broken them.

It would be funny if Dana Holgerson somehow landed the OU job.

Rumors ramping up that LSU is making a play for Brian Kelly. If he leaves, Fickell is gone..........however, one might ask if LSU can even pull that off since you are talking Notre Dame here......a final destination type of place.

(11-29-2021 05:52 PM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  It would be funny if Dana Holgerson somehow landed the OU job.

Weirder things have happened. I know Dana would take the call whereas I think fickle would say not until end of season and I think OU wants to move fast.

Now if that happened with Kelly and LSU, all bets are off.

Either Marcus Freeman would be the new HC of ND or the new HC of UC.

Kelly and LSU fans would go over about as well as Rich Rodriguez did with Michigan’s donors.

Not what I would predict and Im skeptical of him going to OU. As stated above though OU is powerhouse and maybe the move to the SEC excites him. My guess is he is just interviewing to keep his value at UC high. I just don't see him as liking that environment. ND or a Big 10 program would look like more his cup of tea.

The AAC schools have been spurned so many times by coaches we all expect the worst. Someone finally finds a coach who isn't a scumbag and now all the other teams fans are jealous and want to drag down anyone who is happy

(11-29-2021 05:12 PM)kyucat Wrote:  It’s all over the Houston message boards that they want to create a false rumor about Luke just to cause doubt among UC fans. There is no truth to any of these rumors. So to Cougar nation STOP. Luke is not going nowhere

Oklahoma is going into the SEC and will get lost just like Nebraska got lost in the Big 10. That is why Lincoln Riley left. The future of Oklahoma football is in serious doubt. They will wind up having to compete against Alabama Georgia and Florida and it won’t be pretty.

Economics 101: Talk is cheap down in Houston because the supply exceeds demand.