CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell after winning the AAC Championship game against the Houston Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 4, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.

Wisconsin hires Cincinnati's Fickell as next coach

4 years ago
Icon Sportswire / Getty

Wisconsin hired Luke Fickell as its next head coach, the school announced Sunday.

The Bearcats became the first Group of 5 team to reach the College Football Playoff last campaign after producing a 13-0 record during the regular season.

Fickell has earned a 57-18 record in six seasons with Cincinnati while developing a reputation as one of the sport's best program builders. The Bearcats have gone 9-3 this season, missing out on a spot in the AAC title game after back-to-back championship wins.

Wisconsin fired Paul Chryst in early October following a 2-3 start to the campaign, with defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard serving as interim coach. Chryst compiled a 67-26 record in eight seasons.

Special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs will be Cincinnati's interim coach, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

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