Luke Fickell Biography

Luke Fickell is the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin. Prior to the jump to Madison, Fickell's football life revolved around the state of Ohio and particularly Ohio State University. He was a longtime defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Ohio State. Fickell was born in Columbus, Ohio, played for Ohio State, and got his first coaching gig as a graduate assistant at the school. After two seasons as a coach at Akron, Fickell joined Jim Tressel’s OSU staff and served in a variety of roles over nine seasons. When Tressel resigned amid NCAA allegations, Fickell served as the team’s head coach in 2011. The Buckeyes went 6-7 and went to the Gator Bowl under his watch. Urban Meyer kept the Ohio State lifer on the coaching staff when he took control of the program in 2012.  

Fickell took over at Cincinnati in 2017, revitalizing the Bearcats program. He led them to five seasons with at least 9 wins during his six years. Fickell's team reached a high point in 2021 when they became the first Group of 5 program to make it to the College Football Playoff. 

As a player, Fickell made a record 50 consecutive starts at defensive tackle.  He played in four bowl games, capping his career with a win in the 1997 Rose Bowl.  Fickell had a brief NFL stint with the New Orleans Saints in 1997 before tearing his ACL. 

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