Cincinnati Football: Who might replace Luke Fickell at Cincinnati?

Kerry Coombs, Special Teams/Interim head coach: 

Coombs has the inside track of any coordinators because he’s the interim coach. The former Ohio State defensive coordinator was an assistant at Cincinnati from 2007-2011. Coombs, a Cincinnati native, spent 24 years as a high school football coach in Ohio, leading his alma mater to a state title in 2004.

The Bearcats need someone who can recruit at a higher level when they join the Big 12. With his connections in Ohio, he could be that coach.

Gino Guidugli, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach:

Guidugli is one of the all-time greatest players in Bearcat history. Guidugli is behind the development of Desmond Ridder, who went from a lightly-recruited high school player to an NFL draft pick. Guidugli joined Cincinnati’s staff in 2017, first as running backs coach and then as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

Guidugli is regarded as an up-and-comer in coaching, but he might not have enough pelts on the wall to be a head coach.

Mike Tressel, Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers Coach: 

Coaching is definitely in Tressel’s blood. His father, Dick Tressel, coached for over 20 years at Hamline University. His father then went to join his brother Jim Tressel at Ohio State. Tressel’s grandfather Lee Tressel is a championship-winning coach at Division III Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.

Mike has made his mark in coaching as a longtime assistant at Michigan State with Mark Dantonio from 2007-2020. The Bearcats’ defense also remained dominant after Marcus Freeman left for Notre Dame.