CSNbbs

I am hoping there is something in the works, and something big. I am sure we wont be able to keep him forever, but it would be nice to hold the Purdues and Louisvilles of the world off a few more years.

I'm more hoping we hear about more money for the coaching staff. Don't get me wrong, i want CLF to stay. I'm just more concerned about coaching continuity. It played a huge role in bringing down Tubb's staff, and it's a historical issue with non-P5 schools.




mc

Fick’s contract escalates from $2M to $2.3M this up coming season. I am not sure what we can do to keep him if the right P5 came along unless we upped it up to a minimum of $4M, which we probably can not afford.

I do agree with Marcuscann that we need to up the assistant pool. Knowing your staff is being taken care of keeps HC’a very happy.

Does it matter? If a big money school comes calling, will it matter how many years are left on his contract at UC?

I have no idea how coaching salaries work or where they come from. Butttt....it'd be nice, yes.

(11-13-2018 08:18 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote: [ -> ]I have no idea how coaching salaries work or where they come from.

Bohn is thinking the same thing as the AAC negotiates another tiny TV deal.

Right, but they found a way to pay for 170$ million dollars in renovations, so, I mean, they're committed to subsidizing the athletic program...at least for now. I'm curious how far you can reasonably stretch CLFs salary given the TV deal.

(11-13-2018 06:10 PM)marcuscan Wrote: [ -> ]I'm more hoping we hear about more money for the coaching staff. Don't get me wrong, i want CLF to stay. I'm just more concerned about coaching continuity. It played a huge role in bringing down Tubb's staff, and it's a historical issue with non-P5 schools.




mc

Agree. I think Fickell would be happier to have his staff get an extra 2 million to spread around so he can retain coaches than himself going from 2 to 4.

I think at least give the guy anoth mil, and about 2 mil for the staff to spread around. This would put us on par with alot of P5 schools. If I had the money to spend I would put it up, hopefully there's some rich donors that think the same.

(11-13-2018 06:07 PM)jarr Wrote: [ -> ]I am hoping there is something in the works, and something big. I am sure we wont be able to keep him forever, but it would be nice to hold the Purdues and Louisvilles of the world off a few more years.

I just don't think he's looking to bolt for a school like that. Right now, he stays put until the first OSU turnover happens. If he doesn't get that, then he opens up his possibilities wider, but not to the point of taking the first dead end (Purdue) or dumpster fire (Louisville) program that approaches him. As long as the administration lets him know he's wanted and takes care of him, we're good.

I will be curious to see how motivated Fickell is by money. I'm not an idiot and understand these coaches are lured away by big money, even though it is often times not the right fit. CLF spent so many years at OSU where he was paid well, but he was not making Head Coach money.

Fickell is making good money now, but it does not match P5 money. When hired he talked about how he and his wife had some 10 year plan, and that they did not want to uproot their family all the time. I am curious where he is in that 10 year plan. I think the most important thing is what many of you touched upon. I don't think that Fick's salary will be the big issue, I think he will need money to keep his coaches. If we can get more money for the assistant pool, then I think we have greater success at keeping CLF.

(11-14-2018 08:41 AM)Bearcat 1985 Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-13-2018 06:07 PM)jarr Wrote: [ -> ]I am hoping there is something in the works, and something big. I am sure we wont be able to keep him forever, but it would be nice to hold the Purdues and Louisvilles of the world off a few more years.

I just don't think he's looking to bolt for a school like that. Right now, he stays put until the first OSU turnover happens. If he doesn't get that, then he opens up his possibilities wider, but not to the point of taking the first dead end (Purdue) or dumpster fire (Louisville) program that approaches him. As long as the administration lets him know he's wanted and takes care of him, we're good.

That's where I think Marcuscann's point is dead on above. Rewarding his assistant pool with a pay increase will help him tremendously in the long run. While we would never be able to pay enough if a Michigan comes calling for one of our assistants, a bump in salary of $50-100K for the assistants will help keep them from jumping to a lot of the lower and mid tier P5 schools.

As I've mentioned before, Luke is already getting a bump in salary starting in 19 as his contract escalates to $2.3M.

I just don't see CLF going to a Purdue or UofL. He is an Ohio lifer. And he sure isn't going to any other program in the state aside form O$U. I think if the man leaves Ohio, it will be for a B1G program close to home (Mich, Mich St, Wisc) and one that is one of the better B1G, not doormats (Illinois, Purdue, normally NW, etc.). Hope I'm right as this should translate into him being here for a while, at least more than a year or two.

Justin Williams of The Athletic sat down and had a long in-depth interview with LF. In absolute fairness to Justin, I won't post the whole interview though it's a very good read, but the last question relates to his future. Take it how you will as we've had coaches in the past who've said they like it here but he seems more genuine. The biggest take is the last line mentioning his family "My wife and I have had a plan for a while, and it’s not picking up and moving six kids, and that’s the honest truth."

I personally believe the next realignment will happen when the B12 TV contract comes due (in 2025??) and I just hope he can keep us relevant until then.

Justin Williams: I’m sure you hate this question, but your name is already popping up in coaching rumors for open jobs. Fans of this program are so conditioned whenever a coach has success to start wondering when the team is going to lose him. I don’t expect you to make any guarantees or even pay attention to that stuff, but what are your thoughts and feelings about you and the future of this program?

Luke Fickell: I don’t think about anything else, to be honest with you. Last year I was more worried about fans wondering [negatively], "Holy cow, how long are we going to have this guy for?" So I think there is an ebb and flow and a rollercoaster. I think (the success) is great for our program. But we sat down and talked about it for recruiting — that’s the first time I heard anything about those rumors. One of our recruiting guys came in and said there are some words out there mentioning my name. I didn’t even turn on the TV last week. But I wanted to make sure, are there any recruits that we’re worried about, that I need to talk to or address? Guys maybe similar to this past year with Josh Whyle or Malik Vann, local kids — let’s make sure. Let me get on the phone and talk to them, just to make sure they’re straight. Other than that, I don’t address it, I don’t talk about it, I don’t worry about it. My wife and I have had a plan for a while, and it’s not picking up and moving six kids, and that’s the honest truth.

Justin Williams has provided great coverage over at the Athletic.

Unfortunately, we've come to know through experience that words are often hollow in the face of multi-million dollar raises. But I too believe Fickell is different for two reasons that might bode well for him staying a little longer than Dantonio, Kelly or Jones. First, he's an Ohio guy through and through. Living in Cincinnati affords him close proximity to family and friends in Columbus. Second, he seems focused on his family and they probably feel as if they just settled in here to a great home and excellent schools. I don't get the sense he's the type that wants to disrupt their lives, especially when he's earning a lot of money and doing what he loves.

The best news for him would be if either the AAC is going to get substantially more TV money to share, or if UC increasingly appears to remain a realistic P5 candidate in the near term. In that second scenario, I think he might stay for a long run. Coaching Cincy in the ACC or Big 12 could be a career position for the right person.

I've stopped trying to predict or worry about what coaches will do. Fans always speculate. Odds point to coaches leaving a job like Cincinnati eventually, but who really knows.

(11-14-2018 11:50 AM)OKIcat Wrote: [ -> ]The best news for him would be if either the AAC is going to get substantially more TV money to share, or if UC increasingly appears to remain a realistic P5 candidate in the near term. In that second scenario, I think he might stay for a long run. Coaching Cincy in the ACC or Big 12 could be a career position for the right person.

We are bound to get lucky eventually. Maybe this will be it and Fickell decides he wants to go the Gary Patterson / Frank Beamer route.

Yeah, give him a nice raise. Just be sure to hold it with your thumb over the part that says $50 MIL buyout as he signs it ...

Im holding out hope that CLF will be our Frank Beamer......