Wisconsin making a push for Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell

Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Wisconsin is putting a full court press on Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell. Fickell led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff last season. He’s won at a high clip in Cincinnati, now the winningest coach in program history with 57 wins. At Cincinnati he is 57-18 during his six years and 63-25 overall.

Sources: Wisconsin has targeted Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell to be the school’s next head coach. https://t.co/FNAKRcu5Vb
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 27, 2022

Cincinnati is currently 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the AAC, with the loss to Tulane on Friday they lost out in a chance to host their third AAC Championship Game.

There's a few steps remaining for this deal to come together, per sources. It's expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours. All candidates, including interim coach Jim Leonhard, have been told they're not getting the job. https://t.co/FGSR7ibVgZ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 27, 2022

If Fickell does leave for Wisconsin it is in a footprint and conference he knows very well with his time as interim head coach and defensive coordinator at Ohio State. This would be a huge blow for the Bearcats program heading into the Big 12 in 2023.