Report: Ohio State's Luke Fickell Tapped for Head Coaching Job at Cincinnati

COLUMBUS, OH — After 16 years coaching at Ohio State, sources confirm that Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell will be leaving the Buckeyes to accept a head coaching position. However, Fickell will be staying in the state of Ohio, multiple sources are reporting that he has been chosen to take the head coaching position at the University of Cincinnati.

Fickell was the interim head coach for the 2011 season in between the Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer eras. That season he led the Buckeyes to a 6-7 record.

Cincinnati's head coaching position opened up last week when coach Tommy Tuberville stepped down after finishing with a record of 4-8.

An official announcement regarding Fickell's new position will be made on Saturday.

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A true Buckeye, Fickell played for Ohio State as a defensive nose guard from 1993 to 1996 and was hired by John Cooper as a graduate assistant in 1999. Since then, Fickell has been a defensive line coach, special teams coordinator, linebackers coach, interim head coach and co-defensive coordinator.

There is some speculation that if Fickell leaves the Buckeyes, he might take Ohio State secondary and special teams coach Kerry Coombs with him.

Fickell's last game as a Buckeye could be on Dec. 31 when the Buckeyes take on Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl for the College Football Playoffs. If the Bucks advance, they will play the winner of the Alabama vs. Washington matchup in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game January 9 in Tampa.

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