Luke Fickell is the new head coach at Wisconsin.
The former Ohio State defensive lineman and assistant coach was officially hired by the Badgers on Sunday afternoon.
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 27, 2022
Welcome @CoachFick ! pic.twitter.com/ybE9U3b3nu
“My family and I are thrilled to join the Wisconsin family,” Fickell said in a statement released by Wisconsin. “This is a destination job at a program that I have admired from afar for years. I am in total alignment with Chris McIntosh's vision for this program. There is a tremendous foundation here that I can't wait to build upon. This world-class university, athletic department and passionately loyal fan base all have a strong commitment to success and I can't wait to be a part of it.”
Former Ohio State assistant coach Kerry Coombs – who served as Cincinnati’s cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator this season – is now the interim head coach of the Bearcats following Fickell’s departure.
Coach Coombs has been named the interim head coach for the #Bearcats. pic.twitter.com/CBfJltj3WO
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) November 27, 2022
Fickell started four seasons as a nose guard for Ohio State from 1993 to 1996, setting a school record with 50 consecutive starts. In 1999, he joined Ohio State's staff as a graduate assistant, and then, after spending a year coaching Akron's defensive line, returned to Columbus, serving 15 years as a Buckeye staffer, most notably 11 seasons as defensive coordinator and one year, 2011, as interim head coach.
He was hired by Cincinnati in 2017 and went 57–18 in six seasons with the Bearcats, winning three conference titles and after finishing the regular season 13-0 in 2021, earning the first College Football Playoff berth for a program outside of the FBS Power 5.
Fickell replaces Paul Chryst, who was canned mid-season after a 2–3 start. Chryst, who was born in Madison and played quarterback for the Badgers, was 67–26 over eight seasons with the Badgers, winning the Big Ten West three times.
Ohio State visits Wisconsin for a Big Ten road game on Oct. 28, 2023.
