DT Luke Fickell (HC Wisconsin Badgers)

[RB07OSU]

I'd love to see Withers get a job somewhere else and let Fickell run the show how he really wants to, maybe even bringing Heacock back in to a more formal role.

A 1,000 times this. Heacock was VERY impressive in his role here in the past. Only lingering issue is that he is a DL coach and Vrable isn't going anywhere. Perhaps he can coach DBs? Regardless, I want to see Fickell and Vrable stay on as position coaches but I wouldn't be opposed to handing Heacock the reigns as DC. Then bring in a real DB coach...wish we could've held on to Taver or Haynes.

 

[Taosman]

FAU is anything but a premo job, so they are looking at who will jump first. That's just their situation. I'd hate to see Luke go there.
But neither guy is responsible for a kid taking a bad angle. But, maybe they are being too loyal to the kids? Then again, they see the kids every day in practice.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

I think you're being a bit too harsh on Withers in favor of Fickell. It seems to me that Luke's star was brightest when he was a position coach. So, I'd like to see him back to having a position coach status only. I'd say give Withers the reigns by himself as DC for a year; if things don't work out, send him packing. I'd just like to see Luke remain in the scarlet and gray, but doing so in a capacity where he fits the best.

Luke was only, just a position coach in 02-03 with ST and 04 with the LBs. Outside of 2011, from 04-13 Luke has been both LB's and Co-DC.

 

[kujirakira]

I'm selfish, but I really want somebody who is going to put their stamp on this defense and own it. Heacock fits the bill, but I'm not sure if he's willing to come out of semi-retirement.
He's kind of got the best of both worlds right now; still plugged into the program and coaching but w/o the sacrifice and time commitments.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

Luke was only, just a position coach in 02-03 with ST and 04 with the LBs. Outside of 2011, from 04-13 Luke has been both LB's and Co-DC.

Luke was Co-DC (gameplan only much like Withers is now from my understanding) from 04-10. Not sure about 2011 but 12 & 13 he's been calling plays.....

 

[mleone21]

That's gotta be hard where you're calling plays off of someone else's gameplan, let alone someone else having a somewhat different philosophy than what you're used to. That's where I'm not a big fan of co-coordinators, especially when one is from one staff and was used to Heacock for 8 years and the other guy is brand new. It's just hard for me to think Luke is a poor coach when if you look at his track record, especially as a position coach, he's been phenomenal. 02-03 were the golden years of our special teams with Sander, Groom, and Nugent (guys that were pretty mediocre before the tressel era) and then we've had outstanding linebackers. Heck look at how Zach Boren came in and played LB last year.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

That's gotta be hard where you're calling plays off of someone else's gameplan, let alone someone else having a somewhat different philosophy than what you're used to. That's where I'm not a big fan of co-coordinators, especially when one is from one staff and was used to Heacock for 8 years and the other guy is brand new. It's just hard for me to think Luke is a poor coach when if you look at his track record, especially as a position coach, he's been phenomenal. 02-03 were the golden years of our special teams with Sander, Groom, and Nugent (guys that were pretty mediocre before the tressel era) and then we've had outstanding linebackers. Heck look at how Zach Boren came in and played LB last year.

Fickel & Withers develop the gameplan.. its not like Withers comes up with the game plan and Luke calls it... it was the same way with Heacock & Fickel, Heacock called it, He & Fickel drew up the gameplan.

 

[mleone21]

I'd still argue it's difficult when the guy you're drawing up a gameplan with is philosophically different than you are. It was I'm sure a lot easier for Heacock and Fickell to work together than Withers and Fickell.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Fickel & Withers develop the gameplan.. its not like Withers comes up with the game plan and Luke calls it... it was the same way with Heacock & Fickel, Heacock called it, He & Fickel drew up the gameplan.

Im sure though that each one respects the others department. When they gameplan together and Withers has something to say about the DBs (safeties in particular) Luke will take his advice on it. Same can be said when Luke offers up advice on what to do with the LBs and linemen. Im not sure who is doing what during the game, I don't have a headset on and Im not around them. Im not sure what goes on at practice either. I can only go off the positions they are responsible for and what has been the weak link in the chain.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

The bend but don't break attitude of Fick will be something that will always be hard for me to live with. I guess the argument can be made that he is forced into that approach based on the current roster but I tend to think that's a philosphy you adhere to or you don't. Agree with the thoughts on one DC instead of the shared Co-DC crap. Hard to have an identity that way.

 

[y0yoyoin]

I may be alone on this and I haven't read through all the pages, but unless there is a head coaching possibility somewhere I dont think Fickell or Withers go anywhere...I think they have both made mistakes throughout the year but I think it comes down to talent on the field...Its easy to blame coaches when things go wrong but if the talent isnt there then its hard to say the coaches are entirely at blame...It's been 2 years that both have been on the staff and I cant blame them for not developing the talent they have here as far as recruits...yet....i think both stay and with the talent incoming along with the talent we have here, will tell the whole story this following year

 

[Oh8ch]

I may be alone on this and I haven't read through all the pages, but unless there is a head coaching possibility somewhere I dont think Fickell or Withers go anywhere...I think they have both made mistakes throughout the year but I think it comes down to talent on the field...Its easy to blame coaches when things go wrong but if the talent isnt there then its hard to say the coaches are entirely at blame...It's been 2 years that both have been on the staff and I cant blame them for not developing the talent they have here as far as recruits...yet....i think both stay and with the talent incoming along with the talent we have here, will tell the whole story this following year

I want to buy into this. But I keep going back to six frosh DBs in the incoming class. Five of them rated in the top 20 at their position. And yet 15 weeks and 12 games into the season not one of them is ready to take the field on D. I can't believe none of these pups can hunt. And if anything our secondary play is worse than at the start of the season. That has something to do with coaching.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

I want to buy into this. But I keep going back to six frosh DBs in the incoming class. Five of them rated in the top 20 at their position. And yet 15 weeks and 12 games into the season not one of them is ready to take the field on D. I can't believe none of these pups can hunt. And if anything our secondary play is worse than at the start of the season. That has something to do with coaching.

The first part of your post is debatable. They're still true freshmen. Although if they don't contribute next year you're 1000% on point. But the bolded, yes that is troublesome.

 

[NightmaresDad]

Since Pagac got demoted back to LB coach in Minnesota, I wonder if he would have interest in coming back here?

I love Fickell and he is a true buckeye, but it seems he may be in over his head as a DC.
The things he said after the UM game made me shake my head. He was very defensive, and not willing to face reality and take ownership of his team's performance.

Hope Withers gets that FAU job, though.

I may be alone on this and I haven't read through all the pages, but unless there is a head coaching possibility somewhere I dont think Fickell or Withers go anywhere...I think they have both made mistakes throughout the year but I think it comes down to talent on the field...Its easy to blame coaches when things go wrong but if the talent isnt there then its hard to say the coaches are entirely at blame...It's been 2 years that both have been on the staff and I cant blame them for not developing the talent they have here as far as recruits...yet....i think both stay and with the talent incoming along with the talent we have here, will tell the whole story this following year

I want to buy into this. But I keep going back to six frosh DBs in the incoming class. Five of them rated in the top 20 at their position. And yet 15 weeks and 12 games into the season not one of them is ready to take the field on D. I can't believe none of these pups can hunt. And if anything our secondary play is worse than at the start of the season. That has something to do with coaching.

There is talent in that new group.
Cam Burrows had to come in in a tough situation and played remarkably well.
Talent may be more of an issue in the safety area. We'll be fine at CB (as long as Reeves is not a starter and they let the young pups play).

The problem is the coaching and not using all those easy games in the non conference and middle of the conference season to let guys like Bell and Burrows develop. There's no way Bell could have played any worse than C Brown did.

 

[jwinslow]

I want to buy into this. But I keep going back to six frosh DBs in the incoming class. Five of them rated in the top 20 at their position. And yet 15 weeks and 12 games into the season not one of them is ready to take the field on D. I can't believe none of these pups can hunt. And if anything our secondary play is worse than at the start of the season. That has something to do with coaching.

There is too much talent to cover like Indiana. The Talent in that sentence should not includr the youngsters who are mostly lost or completely lost.

That said the ENTIRE 09 & 10 classes did not pan out at lb (save for a month of zach), forcing osu to rely on a huge chunk of 1st and 2nd year lbs.