Cincinnati Football: Who might replace Luke Fickell at Cincinnati?

1. The Bearcats could go with the hot Power Five coordinator.

Brian Hartline, Wide Receivers Coach/Passing Game Coordinator, Ohio State: 

Hartline has been one of the top assistants at Ohio State for a long time. Look at the wide receiver room in Columbus; it is evident that he is one of the best recruiters in college football. Hartline has been at Ohio State with Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, so he’s seen the right way to run a major college football program.

He’s only been a coach since 2017. Is he ready to run a college football program?

Alex Golesh, Offensive Coordinator, Tennessee:

Questions about how much responsibility Volunteers offensive coordinator Alex Golesh has during the game are asinine. Golesh is one of the architects of Tennessee’s offensive success this season. Golesh helps with the game plan, including putting together the script and game situations.

Head coach Josh Heupel has lauded Golesh’s ability as a coach and how much he leans on him during games. He’s been coaching for nearly 20 years despite being under 40 and could bring a fun offense to the Bearcats.

Ryan Walters, Defensive Coordinator, Illinois: 

Walters has been floated out as a candidate for the Colorado head coaching job. The current Illini defensive coordinator played for the Buffaloes from 2004-2008. Walters is one of the hottest names in coaching this cycle, and the Bearcats should put out feelers to gauge his interest. Walters was the defensive coordinator at Missouri before taking the same position at Illinois.