I'm mixed on this one. Love the guy and admire him as a coach and person, but man the defense showed weakness this season. Although the last few games its saved us, see second half of the Michigan game this year.

Thoughts?

I personally dont think Fickell is as bad as he is made out to be on here. Best run defense in the big 10, with arguable our 2nd worst LB corp this decade (I say last year was worse). I kind of think people have some bias against him, whether it be consciously or not. Take the UM game thread, for example. First half: Fickle sucks, hope he enjoys his last game, etc. Second half: "Meyer really got the D pumped at half time". Seems people are reluctant to give him credit. I'd say the biggest problem I had with the D this year was the poor tackling. Do we really believe he doesnt show these guys how to tackle? There's a saying..You can lead a horse to water, but......

All I have to say is 12-0. He cant be that bad. Our offense has sucked some major balls at points this season as well.

The second half of today's game was a clinic. IMO, I think UA wants him back, so he's back if he chooses to come back.

Urban really likes him, or so it seems.

I think he will be back. Just with more input from Urban's guy.

Not going to lie, I have criticized Fickell much of this season, but they really got things turned around with Boren at LB. From that point on, I thought the D really got it turned around.

You can't sneeze at 12-0 though.

In the end, I think that Fickell will probably take a head coaching job soon and the situation will take care of itself. It is pretty clear that he and Meyer weren't on the same page at times this season

12-0.

He's back.

I am thrilled for Fickell, as the Buckeye defense looked TREMENDOUS in the 2nd half today (although some thanks go to Michigan for vanilla play calling). That being said, I think he is gone, Meyer has alluded many times that he loves an attacking defense that dictates the tempo of the game, and OSU's defensive schemes never echoed this. Granted, much of this was due to talent, but I strongly feel that OSU goes a different direction next year. If this is the case, what a way to go out as a Buckeye! I like Luke, I do, just don't like his coaching skills.

I'm with you BigApple. I want somebody a little more aggressive as well.

However, I doubt we let him go (I.e. fire him). If he leaves, it will be for a head coaching job

I really hope not. Unless its the Luke of the 2nd half today.

BigAppleBuckeye;1328177 wrote:I am thrilled for Fickell, as the Buckeye defense looked TREMENDOUS in the 2nd half today (although some thanks go to Michigan for vanilla play calling). That being said, I think he is gone, Meyer has alluded many times that he loves an attacking defense that dictates the tempo of the game, and OSU's defensive schemes never echoed this. Granted, much of this was due to talent, but I strongly feel that OSU goes a different direction next year. If this is the case, what a way to go out as a Buckeye! I like Luke, I do, just don't like his coaching skills.

Well said.

Not being a huge Fickell fan, I was impressed with the second half defense. My only worry is why it took so long to realize that Robinson was never going to pass the ball when he lined up at quarterback.

That said, I think Urban keeps him if he wants to stay. I didn't think that was the case midway through this season, even thinking Meyer kept him on staff this season because he had to. I don't feel that way now, as the defense has definitely improved (but still needs work on tackling in the secondary).

He's one of the highest paid assistants in the country. Somewhere I read (Dispatch?) said he make +$600,000 a year...

ccrunner609;1328187 wrote:he is a buckeye

This

ou1980;1328407 wrote:He's one of the highest paid assistants in the country. Somewhere I read (Dispatch?) said he make +$600,000 a year...

That's because they basically kept his head coaching contract from the previous year.

ou1980;1328407 wrote:He's one of the highest paid assistants in the country. Somewhere I read (Dispatch?) said he make +$600,000 a year...

most good teams have def cordinators who make that and more. I know some in the SEC make about a million. He makes half that.

rydawg5;1328593 wrote:most good teams have def cordinators who make that and more. I know some in the SEC make about a million. He makes half that.

I'm not sure about what SEC coordinators make... but it has been pointed out before this is probably 1 reason why the B1G has been struggling as of late. Yes, the teams are willing to pay for Head coaches. But B1G schools lag way behind the SEC and other schools when it comes to pay for assistants such as O and D coordinators.

Tt

It's hard to be aggressive when you have a secondary that can't/won't tackle. Roby is the only one I trust to make an open field tackle. Until Boren moved to LB, the only people you could trust behind the front 4 were Shazier and Roby. I would've loved for the team to be more aggressive, but the best way to overcome poor tackling is to make sure you have more people available to make a tackle.

I think Urban is trying to find a way to get LF a head coaching job and get him out of C-bus!

wildcats20;1328097 wrote:Urban really likes him, or so it seems.

I think he will be back. Just with more input from Urban's guy.

Headlines out of Columbus. "After 12-0 season, and shutting down UM in the 2nd half, Fickell is FIRED!"

Urbie will take care of the awkwardness of canning Fickell by recommending him for one of the many HC jobs coming open. Win - Win.

Kent State will hire him after Hazell gets a new job

As noted above - Fickell will be a prime candidate for a MAC/Sunbelt head coaching position either this year or next.

rydawg5;1329027 wrote:Headlines out of Columbus. "After 12-0 season, and shutting down UM in the 2nd half, Fickell is FIRED!"

Link?

ernest_t_bass;1329245 wrote:Link?

yeah its in the sarcasm headlines of the dispatch