Skip to main content

Kirk Herbstreit on Luke Fickell: He 'Had his Choices of USC, LSU, Notre Dame, Potentially Oklahoma'

The Bearcats head coach decided to stay and has his team in the College Football Playoff.

CINCINNATI — College Football's coaching carousel is starting to slow down, but Bearcats fans had every reason to be worried head coach Luke Fickell would leave for a big-name school. He ultimately chose his Cincinnati squad over any other situation.

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said on The Dan Patrick Show that Fickell had his pick of the litter from any available job.

“In Luke Fickell’s case, he was so locked in on what his team was trying to do,” Herbstreit said. “I think, ultimately, he could have had his choices of USC, of LSU, of Notre Dame, potentially Oklahoma. And he was so focused on what his team was doing. He was letting [agent] Jimmy Sexton know, ‘Listen, man, I don't want to go there.’ 'Well, you're gonna miss out on this job.' OK. In today's day and age, you got to really respect [what he did]. I mean, he was the front runner for every one of those jobs, and he just wanted to finish the race. So it cost him all these jobs because of the timing.”

In Cincinnati's eyes, they are already a premier job, and the numbers agree as they get set to enter the Big 12 in a few weeks.

The coaching chatter has ceased and all that's left for Fickell is building his Cotton Bowl game plan to decide one-half of the National Championship matchup. Cincinnati faces Alabama on Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Bearcats Offer 2022 Wide Receiver Decoldest Crawford

Bearcats Offer 2023 Wide Receiver Jacob Page and 2024 Wide Receiver Tae Johnson

Watch: Wes Miller Discusses Importance of Crosstown Shootout

Five Notable Crosstown Shootouts in Series History

UC Attacks Defense on Recruiting Trail, Offers Four Players

Bearcats Offer a Dual-Threat Quarterback and two Offensive Linemen

Ahmad Gardner Taken by Kansas City Chiefs in Latest Mock Draft

Bearcats add Delaware Kicker Ryan Coe From Transfer Portal

Luke Fickell Named Home Depot Coach of the Year

Bearcats Peppered All Over Mel Kiper's Latest 2022 NFL Draft Rankings

Luke Fickell Named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year, Finalist for National Award

Viktor Lahkin Named AAC Freshman of the Week

Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman Praises Bearcats: "I'm Gonna Be Rooting Like Heck for Them'

Watch: Highlights From the Bearcats 73-58 win Over Bryant

Former Cincinnati Basketball Forward Herb Jones Dead at age 51

Three Man Weave: Guard Trio Powers Cincinnati to 73-58 Performance Over Bryant

Bearcats Open as Double-Digit Underdogs in Cotton Bowl Against Alabama

Final Huddle: Bearcats Capture AAC Title 35-20 Over Houston

Report: Luke Fickell Interviewed With Lions Last Year, More NFL Teams Could be Interested

Luke Fickell Weighs in on the Bearcats' College Football Playoff Hopes

Watch: Luke Fickell and Desmond Ridder Discuss Bearcats' Win Over Houston

Ticket Punched: Luke Fickell's Bearcats Defy Odds, Should be Playoff Bound After Win Over Houston

Listen: Wes Miller Discusses Swift Jacket Removals During Games

Three Man Weave: Cincinnati Narrowly Edges Miami 59-58

Bearcats Legend Tony Pike Weighs in on Luke Fickell's Future at the University of Cincinnati

The All Bearcats UC Football MVPs

Top 2022 Edge Rusher Mario Eugenio Commits to Cincinnati

Report: Luke Fickell Staying at Cincinnati Following This Season

Mario Eugenio: 'Cincinnati is a Different Vibe'

Bearcats Offer Rising 2023 Wide Receiver Tyler Williams

Alec Pierce Projected as Possible First-Round Pick by Evaluator

Three-Star 2022 Wide Receiver Commits to UC

Bearcats Men's Basketball Adds Third Piece to 2022 Recruiting Class

UC Football Lands Commitment From Elite 11 Quarterback

Wes Miller and UC Sign Two Recruits From 2022 Class

UC Football Lands Four-Star Linebacker Trevor Carter

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bearcats all the time!

Follow All Bearcats on Twitter: @AllBearcats

Like All Bearcats on FaceBook: All Bearcats

Follow All Bearcats on Instagram: @BearcatsTalk