The Front Row

If he can't survive in Gainesville he doesn't stand a chance with the microscope he'd be under in C-bus

And I don't buy this "Fickell is a Tressel boy" crap. Technically he's a Cooper boy and was around the program in the nineties with coach pug. Was coach blackmon there too?

I agree with Duane that the sooner things are settled, the better for recruiting. However, I disagree that naming Fickell permanent HC now is the right move.

I simply don't want OSU to have a virgin HC doing OJT. This program deserves better...and that is no slight to a true Buckeye who has played, position coached and coordinated here (all to great success).

I say open the checkbook, hire Meyer now with the public statement he doesn't take over until Jan 2012. That gives Fickell a year of OJT and probably the best resume entry a prospective D1 HC could ever want (took over top program in tremendous turmoil and steered them out from under a cloud). It also gives Meyer a year to re-invigorate and put together the top staff in the country. It gives OSU a year to put this storm behind it before the next coach takes over.

I'd also like to see the wheels huddle with Meyer and Fickell, tell Luke he gets 1yr OJT at OSU and then he needs to go elsewhere as HC for a few years...all the while having a standing offer (secured by an option payment from OSU) to be rehired as "DC / HC-in-waiting" 1yr before Meyer retires. Of course he'd be paid either his former HC salary or the equivalent of $1mil+ salary in '11 dollars (whichever is greater) while being HC-in-waiting...and with a publicly-stated Meyer exit date. Thus, if Meyer retires after 5yr, we get a Fickell with 5yr HC experience who is also comfortable with in-place the staff. If Meyer stays 10yr, Luke gets to have maybe 10yr experience...and paid for the option to bring him back when Meyer is ready to exit. If Luke turns out to be a marginal HC, he at least gets paid for giving OSU the option.

And under all of these scenarios, recruiting is instantly improved because Meyer will be coming in a year...and Fickell has the "circle the wagons" passion now.

Is this article a joke
This is like when North Carolina basketball gave the job to Bill Guthridge after Dean Smith left
and then later got it right by getting Roy Williams

I like Luke!!! Let him grow into the position of HC!!!

Love Long's thought on Luke Fickell. It would be a great era and he is qualified and already successful when he was handed additional responsibility. Still, I worry what lies ahead for the program. The investigation is expanding and sever penalties loom. Like it or not, Luke was in this program and when the penalties come, the lynch mob will form and branch out to anyone connected. That's the way many fans are. Regrettable. And I don't want Urban or Jon Gruden. There's something else behind the Urban story. Has to be. Gruden wouldn't stay long enough. Go with Luke. Pray he survives the storm that, believe it or not, could worsen if the penalties are really severe, and I believe they will be.

I am going with the players and recruits in their support and trust in Luke Fickell! Those are the guys that see him every day, know what he is, what he is about and the fire and passion he brings to the job. Just look at the Kalis' kids comments, that sums up why he needs to get this job!

2 WORDS... BRET BIELEMA... If he can do it, Fickell can.

I agree we need to award the job to Luke...NOW. there is minimal risk here. He is a great recruiter if he can swing K Kalis in an hour phone call to keep his commitment when no coach and looming bowl bans are waiting...that is impressive. He deserves the shot. If it doesn't work out Luke would be the first one to want out...and we move on to a big name coach in a few years. If it does work out....the upside is HUGE, We could have a guy who could be here for 10-20 years! Nothing better for a program than that. As far as the statement about only getting "MAC" players? Seems Wisconsin has done just fine with that talent. Give me a kid who bleeds buckeyes over another TP or the likes any day. We will need that type of player to keep our program above water the next few years. A type of kid who is ALL about OSU and not about ME. Not just one who likes to say it on TV, but one who lives it every day...even when nobody is looking.

There are two "must haves" for Luke to be able to pull off a great season this year, given where we stand now --- 1) find a capable OC that would take the job for one year only as certain (I love the suggestion that we look to Glenn Mason -- fits the criteria), 2) Get TP "rehabilitated". I have written elsewhere about him and his situation, but he is the only guy who can lead this team through Miami, Nebraska, MSU, Wisky, etc. I will relish having Miller florish as a Buckeye QB, but not as a freshman. TP may be the most mis-understood QB, or player, in OSU history. He is an OK kid, believe he. But I fear that he may ultimately have a lot of difficulty explaining away, acceptably to the NCAA, having 8 cars in 3 years.

Fick is an outstanding talent and young man. We could very well be looking at the start of a long and very successful reign as the next Buckeye coach. He has that within him. He can/will grow into the job and more quickly than we might believe. But without the OC and QB help, we may never get to see it. If he goes 5-0, give him the permanent title immdeiately!

Very interesting. I heard that myself. A retired coach told me that he knew this was Jim Tressels offense because if it was Bollmans it would be even more conservative.

I don't think there is any chance Heacock sticks around. He has said publicly that he has been trying to retire for three years.