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Luke Fickell shares the personal and professional parameters about Wisconsin he considered

Rolando Rosa

By Rolando Rosa

Published:

Luke Fickell never envisioned he’d live in Wisconsin, but once he learned more about the program and area, it was an offer he couldn’t pass up.

The former Cincinnati coach built up the Bearcats into an elite Group of 5 program during his 6 seasons at the helm. Fickell earned several coach of the year awards for guiding Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff in 2021, a first for any Group of 5 team.

However, once Paul Chryst was fired by Wisconsin and the Badgers elected not to retain interim head coach Jim Leonhard, Fickell did his research and was blown away.

“As this thing at Wisconsin kind of came up and you started to evaluate all things Wisconsin…It’s tough, it’s physical…,” Fickell said. “As I dove into it a little bit deeper and the history and what it is that they’ve done to be successful… it checked every box.”

Fickell praises his players and staff at Cincinnati for putting him in a position to be a desirable candidate for the Wisconsin job.

“We’re lucky and very fortunate that we had success. Our guys played really well and made us look good. It’s ultimately what it’s all about. Those guys play well, which gives you opportunities, which gives them opportunities….” Fickell said. “It was a great place. Cincinnati was awesome. We were not in a rush to leave. We could’ve stayed there for as long as they’d have us.”

Fickell takes over a Wisconsin squad that finished 7-6 last season and enters 2023 ranked No. 19 in the AP poll. Fickell’s first game as head coach will be when Wisconsin hosts Buffalo on Sept. 2.

Rolando Rosa

Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.