According to BearcatReport.com, Cincinnati may be on the verge of hiring Tommy Tuberville’s replacement as it reported that UC and Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell are in contract negotiations.
BREAKING-Bearcats in contract negotiations with Ohio St. Co-DC Luke Fickell, per sources. LINK--https://t.co/P2j9pPdk5U
— Russell Johnson (@RivalsJohnson) December 9, 2025
No timetable for any deal has been set but this is worth keeping an eye on as most of the coaches on the market have largely been linked to other jobs or have outright turned UC down (thanks, P.J. Fleck).
As with any of these reports, until something is official anything could really happen and its far from a locked in result that Fickell will be hired. If he is, UC gets a son of Ohio State as Fickell played for the Buckeyes from 1993 to 1996 and has been on the coaching staff in a number of roles, including interim head coach in 2011, since 2002.
Stay tuned.
Update:
I am told a deal between UC and Luke Fickell is not done at this point in time. Heading in that direction, but not done. #Bearcats
— Chad Brendel (@ChadBrendel) December 9, 2025
#UC AD Mike Bohn, via text just now: 'Coach selection process is continuing.'
— Tom Groeschen (@TomGroeschen) December 9, 2025
Even as things seem to be circling a Fickell hire, we may have to wait a little longer before we get an announcement.
Asked UC AD Mike Bohn if they're trending towards a deal today:
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) December 9, 2025
"Nothing today." #Bearcats @FOX19
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