Bearcats Legend Tony Pike Weighs in on Luke Fickell's Future at the University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati has the chance to play for a National Championship.

Author:
James Rapien
Updated:
Nov 30, 2021 4:44 PM EST

CINCINNATI — Speculation about Luke Fickell's potential interest in the Notre Dame head coaching job grew on Monday night when Brian Kelly made the decision to go to LSU.

Fickell's Bearcats are a perfect 12-0 and they have a chance to play for a National Championship if they beat Houston on Saturday in the AAC Title Game.

After their success this season, some believe Notre Dame will make a serious run at Fickell, which is similar to what they did in 2009 following the last time the Bearcats were undefeated and in the National Title hunt.

Kelly left UC for Notre Dame the moment the job was offered.

Tony Pike is a Bearcats legend and was the starting quarterback of the 2009 team. He doesn't see Fickell leaving Cincinnati for a few reasons.

"One, I think the timing," Pike said in an exclusive interview with All Bearcats. "As long as UC takes care of business on Saturday against Houston, I just don't see Notre Dame waiting until January and with what Luke Fickell is building at the University of Cincinnati, the recruiting classes that are coming in, I don't think and feel like this is the right time for Luke Fickell to move on."

Pike believes Fickell could meet with Notre Dame, but may use it as a negotiating tactic with the University of Cincinnati.

"Certainly if I'm Luke Fickell I'm listening to Notre Dame because all you're going to do at that point is give yourself an opportunity to bring more to the table at the University of Cincinnati," Pike said. "For instance, if you meet with Notre Dame and you come back and say 'they offered me this, here's what I want to stay at the University of Cincinnati. I want this for my assistants, I want the indoor [facility] done. That's where Luke Fickell uses this for leverage. I don't see Luke Fickell leaving and trying to take this somewhere else."

Watch our entire conversation with Pike here. For more on Fickell's future, go here.

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