Aside from amusing tales of Fickell hitting his mother up for late night haircuts, the piece sheds some insight on the man leading the Buckeyes into the 2011 season. Take the impromptu staff visit to Tressel's house the day of the coach's resignation:
Fickell said that he and Tressel had had conversations about how Fickell could one day take over the Buckeyes, perhaps in three or four years. Ohio State’s president, E. Gordon Gee, indicated the same, saying there had been preliminary talks about grooming Fickell for the job.
When Ohio State announced Tressel’s departure on May 30, the football staff went to Tressel’s house as a show of respect. Fickell waited until everyone left and met with Tressel.
They have spoken only once since, at Ohio State’s N.C.A.A. hearing, but Fickell said Tressel instilled confidence in him, telling him this was part of a plan they had talked about, only that it had happened a few years earlier than they expected.
“Other than that, really, he said: ‘You don’t need me. Go do it. That’s what best for you. That’s what’s best for the program. That’s what you need,’ ” Fickell said.
It's a good read and worthy of your time as you patiently await today's kickoff.
