The Front Row

We are so beholden to seniority that young coaches like Fickell rarely get this type of opportunity unless there are unusual circumstances (see Pat Fitzgerald). Experience is invaluable, but sometimes the right guy at the right time is the one who everyone sells short as not ready for the challenge.

Adversity brings out the true character of a person and although it's early, Fickell has stepped up and delivered. Initially, I thought Urban Meyer would be the best fit and he is still a tremendous get. However, as others have pointed out, there are many uncertainties due to Urban's health. We are probably looking at a maximum of 4-5 years that Urban Meyer would be able to coach. I want to hire a coach that will be around for at least a decade.

Youth and inexperience is the only criticism I have heard with Luke Fickell. He has steadily worked his way up and his impact on the defense cannot be understated after the Mark Snyder debacle. The Cooper era, the Tressel era, and the R-Rod experiment in Michigan highlight the importance of hiring a coach that gets what it is to be a Buckeye. Fickell is an Ohio guy, he played at TOSU, and has been working his way up at TOSU. Fickell is a perfect fit at TOSU. He is not flash, but all substance thus far. Similar to Coach Tressel, his love for the University is not in question.

I believe that his relationship with Coach Tressel and the addition of another experienced staff member could help fill the experience gap for Fickell. In the short term and the long term, the continuity in the staff will ensure that prospective recruits will still have a relationship with the coaches. I would expect that Fickell will keep the younger assistants: Haynes, Johnson, Drayton (mainly recruiting). The elder staff will probably retire as expected and Fickell can infuse this staff with more youthful energy. Don't discount the importance of younger staff members being able to connect with recruits and the overall importance of recruiting.

Hungry to mark his mark, I expect there will be changes where Fickell will put his stamp on TOSU. We know with Fickell that he will stick with us through sanctions. This is his dream job and his efforts show he is ready to seize the opportunity. Coach Fickell will need to show results. Despite what happens with Pryor this team has the ability to go 8-3 or 9-2. If Coach Fickell does that then retaining him should be a no brainer. I feel that we have a special opportunity with Fickell and I just hope that Gene Smith (or whoever replaces him) gives him a chance. This will not be an easy season, but I get the feeling that it is the start of something special.

I am 100% behind Coach Fickell. Go Bucks!!