Guys, it's been a few days, but just spoke with a very good source at UC and wanted to follow up on some chatter out there. Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman did in fact interview at Illinois and apparently was a finalist for the Illinois job before Brett Bielema got it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, coach Luke Fickell is happy at Cincinnati. It would take a LOT to make him leave. Honestly, I personally think Ohio State and Notre Dame are the only jobs he'd leave for.
I say that because Fickell and Freeman, I'm not sure if they consider each other best friends, but they might as well. Those guys are tight. Both have great setups with the Bearcats. And Fickell has made sure Freeman gets paid like one the top DCs that he is. That said, though Fickell is the name you'll hear with any coaching vacancy, the real name getting the talk behind the scenes is Freeman. He's who will be up for about any opening. Now, with the ones open now, I don't think he'll seriously take any. But he'll for sure be up for any Big Ten or other regional schools. And like Fickell, I'm told it will take a lot for Freeman to leave. Plus, just look at the recruits they're both landing at UC. You're telling me they can't compete year in, year out for a New Year's Six Bowl, let alone a CFP spot? They got closer this year. And in a non-COVID year, they'll have better non-conference games to get a better look.
Both coaches see UC as the best bet right now. So, expect the Freeman chatter to continue. And we'll keep monitoring anything behind the scenes with both coaches.
I say that because Fickell and Freeman, I'm not sure if they consider each other best friends, but they might as well. Those guys are tight. Both have great setups with the Bearcats. And Fickell has made sure Freeman gets paid like one the top DCs that he is. That said, though Fickell is the name you'll hear with any coaching vacancy, the real name getting the talk behind the scenes is Freeman. He's who will be up for about any opening. Now, with the ones open now, I don't think he'll seriously take any. But he'll for sure be up for any Big Ten or other regional schools. And like Fickell, I'm told it will take a lot for Freeman to leave. Plus, just look at the recruits they're both landing at UC. You're telling me they can't compete year in, year out for a New Year's Six Bowl, let alone a CFP spot? They got closer this year. And in a non-COVID year, they'll have better non-conference games to get a better look.
Both coaches see UC as the best bet right now. So, expect the Freeman chatter to continue. And we'll keep monitoring anything behind the scenes with both coaches.