DT Luke Fickell (HC Wisconsin Badgers)

[Mrstickball]

As long as LF gets full reign of the program and can (and does) fire Jim Bollman, I am perfectly okay with him staying our HC next year.

From my perspective, he's done pretty well with the job so far. He's made a few mistakes in terms of time outs and general cadence in the Nebraska/Michigan St. game, and was slow to transition the team to Braxton.

Having said that, it seems that he has the team headed in the right direction. After the Nebraska game, I couldn't imagine the team would beat two ranked teams back-to-back, and looking like they have a very good shot at the Big Ten title game.

I just hope OSU isn't slack with his interim tag at the end of the year. Either remove it and let him have free reign and make some huge staff moves, or get Meyer/ect in.

 

[Yertle]

I just hope OSU isn't slack with his interim tag at the end of the year. Either remove it and let him have free reign and make some huge staff moves, or get Meyer/ect in.

They removed the tag before the season started. He is the OFFICIAL headcoach. He just has a one year contract.

That said, it's truly funny to read our feelings on LF week in and week out. The play calling this year makes Tressel look like the mad hatter. Sure, this COULD be Bollman's fault, but Luke is the top dog, and he has the ability to force a change in philosophy if he really wanted to. When it doesn't work (MSU), we want his head on a pike. When it does work (Illinois and Wisky), we are all warming up to him. Buckeye fans are about as fickle on Fickell as fickle could be. Isn't fickle a funny word? Heh... fickle.

I work with a South Carolina fan and he is amazed at the extremity of Buckeye fans. One week, the world is over and the entire team needs to be wiped from existence and started over. The next week we are talking about winning out and beating Andrew Luck in the Rose Bowl. I must say, it's tough to argue with the guy. We are extreme in our love (and hate) for our Buckeyes. Personally, it makes things fun.

That said, I'm confident Luke will find a way to win out, beat Nebraska in the first B1G championship game, and pummel Luck into becoming a second round draft pick. Oh, but if in the unlikely event that he stumbles along the way, I'm sure we'll all help him pack his shit up and get him on the next bus out of town. I love being a Buckeye.

 

[Bill Lucas]

Except everyone knew Bauserman had accuracy issues. I have to watch the replay, but I'm sure they stacked the box to stop the run and force the pass anyways.

Run blocking got it done up to that point. I would have rather lost the game doing what was successful up to that point instead of abandoning it.

Again, Hyde ran for 14 and 6 on consecutive carries with Joe B in the game before Ohio State stopped running the ball. There was reason to believe there would be success doing the same.

This is probably a discussion better suited for the 2011 Offense Thread. My apologies for derailing.

 

[MUBuck]

I'm warming up to LF as HC if I knew he had an offensive philosophy and had people in mind who would implement it and be loyal to him. If he wants the Prostyle and a power running game I offer Tim Spencer running backs coach for the Bears..he has been exposed to many offensive philosophies and I think he would love the opportunity to be a Coordinator..

I've been thinking about this for a while too. It's hard to tell if LF has an idea of what he wants and let's JB carry out the plan, or if he just defers to JB for the game plan. If this last game is any evidence of what LF wants our identity to be, it seems that we're going to pound the ball until they stop us while throwing in some deep routes to keep the defense honest. Al Davis would approve.

In the end, an offensive philosophy can be plastic. The offense under JT changed identities almost yearly based on the personnel, but the conservative play calling didn't for the most part. I think LF has already proved that one thing he doesn't share with JT is his conservative nature, much to the delight of this poster.

 

[cincibuck]

had saturday's outcome been less joyous, i'm afraid that many would perceive that "steady, no panic" look to be instead a "perplexed, helpless" look.

I agree that it's all in perception, but I thought he remained calm even as the world was collapsing in Lincoln.

Maybe he's still just in awe of the situation, but he has seemed to me to be the same steady figure on the sidelines.

Success comes in many different forms, but I prefer it when the coach "shows" the kids how to react to adversity by remaining calm and letting others lose their minds. Perfect example, watch the 3 games against Dick Wad and watch how Tress reacts in comparison.

 

[TresselstillownsTSUN]

The more I think about it, the more I think we are going to win out. If we do that and go to Indy and win.....tough decision on for tOSU. Can you let go of a guy who wins the B1G? Even if we lose in Indy can you let him go?

Meyer sounds great, he really does. But, if this team continues to show improvement I think you got to hang on to Fickel. It will be interesting to see coming down the stretch. Fickel may very well throw a wrench into this whole Urban Meyer thing.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

That said, it's truly funny to read our feelings on LF week in and week out. The play calling this year makes Tressel look like the mad hatter. Sure, this COULD be Bollman's fault, but Luke is the top dog, and he has the ability to force a change in philosophy if he really wanted to. When it doesn't work (MSU), we want his head on a pike. When it does work (Illinois and Wisky), we are all warming up to him. Buckeye fans are about as fickle on Fickell as fickle could be. Isn't fickle a funny word? Heh... fickle.

The question would be can you teach an old OC new plays? I don't know if Bollman has it in him to change philosophy.

 

[Bestbuck36]

Loved the option mix this week. First we've really seen of it this year. They may have ran a couple of plays this season but they were really forcing the issue with it this week and pressing the edge. Worked beautifully. Pound middle, option edge....... maybe a reverse coming? Maybe the old Troy Smith option pass again when we get momentum going? Lots can come off of letting Miller move with the ball. They don't have to run flea-flickers and spread the field and bomb it. I dont really think anyone wants that, but, the throwback screen to Stoney was a thing of beauty and we certainly want more of that! Is that Fick or Bollmans doing?

The offense just has to keep the ball, keep our defense fresh, and score in the red zone. Not much more difficult than that really.

Win 3 more and Fickell has a serious case to be coach again next season. If one of those is vs michigan, the case is stronger. Coach T was 7-5 his first season and lost the Outback. Fick is on pace for better than that. Win The Game. Win the Conference. Win a bowl game. 2 out of 3 keeps the job, imo.

 

[jlb1705]

Is that Fick or Bollmans doing?

If we are to take Fickell and everybody else who has commented on the division of labor at face value, then it's Bollman's play and Bollman's idea.

The problem is, plays like this are treated like fine china - only to be used for special occasions. The rest of the year we're stuck using paper plates.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I easily see where you, and other LF>UM supporters, are coming from but I am of the camp that you do not turn down one of the top 3 coaches in all of colleigiate football for LF because he will be around longer.

You do if you think he won't be there longer than the elgibility-life of his first full recruiting class...

 

[Buckeye86]

You do if you think he won't be there longer than the elgibility-life of his first full recruiting class...

How many new head coaches have won a MNC in their second year? Stoops, Tressel, Meyer, Chizik.

With our current defensive line and secondary (all of whom return next year unless Simon or Howard jumps) and Braxton Miller under an Urban Meyer offense, it might not even take until year two.

Or at least that would be the counter point to Meyer not staying for very long in Columbus.

Then again, it would be Fickell's second year next season (to get this a bit back on topic).

Once again, it ALL goes back to whether or not Fickell completely revamps his offensive staff for me.

 

[Coqui]

With our current defensive line and secondary (all of whom return next year unless Simon or Howard jumps) and Braxton Miller under an Urban Meyer offense, it might not even take until year two.

And if Fickell gets the team to play like they played against Wisconsin next year, you could add him to the list of coaches to do it in 2 years.

 

[Buckeye86]

And if Fickell gets the team to play like they played against Wisconsin next year, you could add him to the list of coaches to do it in 2 years.

yep

Then again, it would be Fickell's second year next season (to get this a bit back on topic).

but

Once again, it ALL goes back to whether or not Fickell completely revamps his offensive staff for me.

 

[TresselstillownsTSUN]

Once again, it ALL goes back to whether or not Fickell completely revamps his offensive staff for me.

This. I don't think we know who Luke is as a HC yet. The entire staff was in place when he was promoted, and you cut go chopping heads in the middle of June. We know about the defense but that was never gonna change, but the offense has been horrific at times without JT.

Honestly if Luke does get the job I except a lot guys to retire just because its their time. I think Bolls and Heacock are done, maybe even Doc. The defining moment off the field for Luke will be who he hires as the next offensive coordinator. I think the only sure fire guy to be held over is Drayton.

 

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

You do if you think he won't be there longer than the elgibility-life of his first full recruiting class...

I agree. I highly doubt he steps into a meeting with the BoT/President/AD/etc. and says I plan on being here 3 or less years. If he expresses interest you have to assume it is for a "longer" haul than that.