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DT Luke Fickell (HC Wisconsin Badgers)

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BUCKYLE said:
Yeah, I believe that he (Fick) was interviewed this week for the FAU vacancy. My post was more about what would Vrabel do if Fick left. I may definitely be wrong, but I was under the impression they were a package deal. If that is the case, and Fick leaves on good terms (i.e. Urban would have him back if he wanted to stay), then I could see Vrabel staying without Fick. But if Urban...let's say...encouraged Fick to go, would that leave a bad taste in Vrabel's mouth? Would Vrabel stay if he felt Fick wasn't wanted back?
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I feel the same way here. There was (Still is) a good fit there with Luke and Fick working together, giving Urban much time to work with the special teams and Tom Herman with his offensive schemes. I still remember the days of the "Silver Bullets" under Pugich and heacock in the 90's. You could just feel the electricity from that type of defense and their blitzing techniques.

Then Tressel brought Fickell into the scheme of things and working with Heacock was a great mesh also.
I would hope that Fickell and Vrabel could stick together for a couple more years. That is what I hope for. We are coming so close to a perfect fit both on offense and defense.
 
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First, I apologize for being a dick head with my post.. it was knee jerk stupid.

You realize your post was suggesting Urban wanting to push Fickell out of tOSU like he is some roommate you still want to try and be friends with afterwards?

Buckeye86 said:
So Meyer didn't talk about wanting a more aggressive defense every single week up until the Penn State game this season? He didn't say that he has gone from spending 20% of his time with the defense to 70% of his time (or something like that) to make sure that they start playing more aggressively?
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I did not hear Urban say he spent time on that side of the ball this year.

I did hear Noah Spence say the defensive coaches simplified things and are letting them play football. I also read an article where Withers explains the scheme, a week or so before the coaches simplified things, and it became pretty clear to me why our pass defense wasn't working.

Fickell has developed talent at LB over the years. Two excellent coaches have taught him how to go about his business. I like Fick, so I bring a bias.

I wasn't aware Urban went to spending 70% of his time and is the reason for the scheme - I was under the assumption Withers & Fickell simplified things which has allowed the payers to play fast and know their assignment instead of thinking.

Do you honestly think that Fickell would interview for a HC position in the middle of the season without Meyer's approval? And if Meyer gave his approval you have to wonder why.
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Obviously he got approval, why it has to be a tin hat conspiracy I don't know.. unless your behind closed doors in the WHAC posting from your phone.
 
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I don't think Vrabel leaves, but that was the first question I asked my buddy when we heard about a potential interview, I think someone posted it over the weekend here? Luke is his guy, but Urban and Ohio State... how do you leave? He can wait here until Luke returns.
 
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I can't lie. Fick is a smart, hard nosed, true Buckeye. He played under Coop, with Vrabel. Then coached AJ Hawk and Lil Animal, amongst others, under one of the greatest tOSU coaches ever. Then he gets a taste of what's required to run an elite program. THEN he gets to coach under another one of the greats in Urban, who just so happens to have a drastically different style than JT. If he goes somewhere else, and of course he will at some point, and succeeds as a head coach...It's my dream that he comes home eventually and just dominates CFB for thirty years.
 
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I don't see how it is tin foil hat territory to think that Meyer and Fickell have come to an understanding that it would be best for both if Fickell pursued HC opportunities.

It could be because Meyer is truly interested in furthering Fickell's career and supports him pursuing opportunities that are presented to him.

It could be that Meyer wants a new DC and is using this very public, oddly timed interview to put out feelers for a new guy.

It seems at least plausible that it is a mix of both.
 
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I'm happy for Luke. If he's this guys #1 candidate then more power to him. He needs to go somewhere that he can have complete control and make the program his. He can do that at some Florida-body of water-school. If you think about it, it's actually kind of cool that some future announcer could say that it all started with Luke 50 years ago at FAU. It's not like he will be the next head coach of the Buckeyes without going somewhere and proving himself anyway.


Edit: Of course I reserve the right to take all of this back if Vrabel should happen to go with him.
 
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There's a value equation here...
tOSU brings a $750K salary I believe for Fink... not a bad gig.. and a lot of emotional benefits, satisfaction and pride
vs being a head coach which could be less comp and actually more work and stress
Working with NFL talent every day has to be a lot different than working with kids that were considered 'good' on their HS teams

This could be a simple case of what I profess often in my consulting practice...
Know what you're saying No to...
I tell folks.. check it out in depth so you can make the best objective decision.. worst case, you do nothing and stay put
 
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Onebuckfan said:
If he feels Meyers comments about the D the last two years is hurting his resume he should leave.
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FIFY
This is not saying I think Fick should leave. He is a true Buckeye and I like him a lot but if he is worried about Meyer hurting his resume then he should in fact leave. Look at Urb's coaching tree and it's hard to say that he has ever hurt an assistants resume. I can tell you this though, Luke's defense has done more to hurt our NC hopes this year than Urb's comments have hurt Luke's resume. Take that however you wish.

Luke's a smart guy and he will make the best decision for his career and his family. So will Urb. It's hard to see this playing out poorly for anyone involved. I will tell you this, I will start paying attention to FAU and wishing him success if he does take the job.
 
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NJ-Buckeye said:
There's a value equation here...
tOSU brings a $750K salary I believe for Fink... not a bad gig.. and a lot of emotional benefits, satisfaction and pride
vs being a head coach which could be less comp and actually more work and stress
Working with NFL talent every day has to be a lot different than working with kids that were considered 'good' on their HS teams

This could be a simple case of what I profess often in my consulting practice...
Know what you're saying No to...
I tell folks.. check it out in depth so you can make the best objective decision.. worst case, you do nothing and stay put
Click to expand...

Actually his salary was HC was 750K but this year is 600K; which is interesting since Pelini's salary was 500K as HC. Chun said they'll pony up more but it's hard to imagine it being enough to entice him.

In the end, I think/hope Fickell interviews but stays. It's good experience but if he waits a year or two there will be bigger fish to fry for him. On a side note, I want a fish fry.
 
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