How Refreshing! Cincinnati's Luke Fickle addresses the Notre Dame rumors (media)

[Cosmos]

Imagine had CJF taken the same tack. But he didn't. He had a plan (some would call it extortion) and it was realized. But I don't blame CJF entirely. If someone is willing to pay guaranteed income regardless of your performance then blue skies, green light. I argue that the market for head coaches doesn't bear it. Elsewhere, coaches get fired over CJF's winning percentage. Rather, I fault the AD. She does have a dubious distinction tracking back to Cal. Google it. That said, cue her apologists and minions. Three... two... one...

 

[RaymondReddington]

Imagine had CJF taken the same tack. But he didn't. He had a plan (some would call it extortion) and it was realized. But I don't blame CJF entirely. If someone is willing to pay guaranteed income regardless of your performance then blue skies, green light. I argue that the market for head coaches doesn't bear it. Elsewhere, coaches get fired over CJF's winning percentage. Rather, I fault the AD. She does have a dubious distinction tracking back to Cal. Google it. That said, cue her apologists and minions. Three... two... one...

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Refreshing???? He denied NOTHING. That is exactly the same as Franklin’s responses. ALL coaches do this.

 

[Lion Lineage]

Luke Fickel basically said ND hasn’t made any overtures to him. He did not say he wasn’t interested or wouldn’t listen if they did. Sounds like typical coach speak. Tomlin is the only coach I’ve heard say definitively that he has no interest in other coaching jobs.

 

[fastlax16]

Am I missing the part where he committed to coaching Cincinnati next season?

 

[NittanyIllinois]

Interestingly, ND is apparently willing to wait until after the CFP to go after Fickell. A huge, huge risk given the early signing day in recruiting.

If they wait and Fickell says no, they're in bad shape. Especially since it probably burns the bridge with Marcus Freeman.

 

[PSUSignore]

Imagine had CJF taken the same tack. But he didn't. He had a plan (some would call it extortion) and it was realized. But I don't blame CJF entirely. If someone is willing to pay guaranteed income regardless of your performance then blue skies, green light. I argue that the market for head coaches doesn't bear it. Elsewhere, coaches get fired over CJF's winning percentage. Rather, I fault the AD. She does have a dubious distinction tracking back to Cal. Google it. That said, cue her apologists and minions. Three... two... one...

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Similar statements have been made by coaches that leave a short time later. These statements mean nothing, I don't know why so many people get worked up about a coach not doing this.

 

[psuguy43]

Interestingly, ND is apparently willing to wait until after the CFP to go after Fickell. A huge, huge risk given the early signing day in recruiting.

If they wait and Fickell says no, they're in bad shape. Especially since it probably burns the bridge with Marcus Freeman.

Jay is still out of a coaching gig...

 

[Ian]

Luke Fickel basically said ND hasn’t made any overtures to him. He did not say he wasn’t interested or wouldn’t listen if they did. Sounds like typical coach speak. Tomlin is the only coach I’ve heard say definitively that he has no interest in other coaching jobs.

Right, sure I believe him. He’s gone.

All of these guys work through agents and back channels. Read the Riley and Kelly stories. Then they disappear into the night with little communication with the people they have asked for commitment. It’s become such a sleezy business. Their is absolutely no boundaries for any of these guys or players.

 

[bvillebaron]

Right, sure I believe him. He’s gone.

All of these guys work through agents and back channels. Read the Riley and Kelly stories. Then they disappear into the night with little communication with the people they have asked for commitment. It’s become such a sleezy business. Their is absolutely no boundaries for any of these guys or players.

Yeah anyone that thinks those statements by Fickell constitute an unqualified commitment to Cincinnati is delusional and just finding a way to again rip Franklin.

 

[LMTLION]

Imagine had CJF taken the same tack. But he didn't. He had a plan (some would call it extortion) and it was realized. But I don't blame CJF entirely. If someone is willing to pay guaranteed income regardless of your performance then blue skies, green light. I argue that the market for head coaches doesn't bear it. Elsewhere, coaches get fired over CJF's winning percentage. Rather, I fault the AD. She does have a dubious distinction tracking back to Cal. Google it. That said, cue her apologists and minions. Three... two... one...

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WTF. I am not sure you actually read that. One could say he pulled a “Franklin” with his response. I would be very surprised if Fickell is in Cincy next season.

 

[N&B4PSU]

If ND invites CJF (considering the quality of players he could bring with him if they are so inclined) and they pick up the tab, he's gone.

But they won't. They want to win a MNC. Sandy would LIKE to but it isn't all that important to the poohbahs at dear old state. Now hey, Franklin is a great guy and recruiter and rah rah stand up dude... but he's shown me nothing to think that (irrespective of the recruiting class) he's going to finish.

Notre Dame wants to finish and they'll go after a coach (hellooooo usc, another school firing up the ol barbie) who can do it.

And hey, Franklin proves me wrong, I'm hardly unhappy... just eat my cold crow and celebrate.

 

[fastlax16]

If ND invites CJF (considering the quality of players he could bring with him if they are so inclined) and they pick up the tab, he's gone.

But they won't. They want to win a MNC. Sandy would LIKE to but it isn't all that important to the poohbahs at dear old state. Now hey, Franklin is a great guy and recruiter and rah rah stand up dude... but he's shown me nothing to think that (irrespective of the recruiting class) he's going to finish.

Notre Dame wants to finish and they'll go after a coach (hellooooo usc, another school firing up the ol barbie) who can do it.

And hey, Franklin proves me wrong, I'm hardly unhappy... just eat my cold crow and celebrate.

what was the point of this?

 

[Cosmos]

Yeah anyone that thinks those statements by Fickell constitute an unqualified commitment to Cincinnati is delusional and just finding a way to again rip Franklin.

Yeah, that's the ticket. Where in my OP is Franklin ripped?? There's no denying he'd be fired at a dozen schools or more for having a 67% winning percentage. If that's ripping him then you're smoking mushrooms. Admittedly, I take the AD to task. Speaking of, how's it possible out of the few female ADs in the college universe we manage to hire the one having Title IX controversies?! That's plural, BTW.

Conclusion- "blue blood" programs are defined as programs which expect you to be in the hunt for national titles. These include: tOSU, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, OU, USC and Oregon. Judging by Franklin's contract extension we are not one of them. That's all I'm saying.

As JoePa once said (paraphrase) people need to adjust their expectations.

 

[Cosmos]

Am I missing the part where he committed to coaching Cincinnati next season?

Hmmm. Show me a where prior to the contract extension Franklin stated something similar to: "There is no speculation. All I care about is the guys (the team) that sit in this room." Sounds pretty emphatic to me.

Look, Fickle could very well be throwing up a smoke screen. But that's not the point. The point is he slammed the door shut on the rumors. Franklin did not.

 

[NittanyChris]

Imagine had CJF taken the same tack. But he didn't. He had a plan (some would call it extortion) and it was realized. But I don't blame CJF entirely. If someone is willing to pay guaranteed income regardless of your performance then blue skies, green light. I argue that the market for head coaches doesn't bear it. Elsewhere, coaches get fired over CJF's winning percentage. Rather, I fault the AD. She does have a dubious distinction tracking back to Cal. Google it. That said, cue her apologists and minions. Three... two... one...

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Extortion? LMAO.

 

[danvillenit]

Hmmm. Show me a where prior to the contract extension Franklin stated something similar to: "There is no speculation. All I care about is the guys (the team) that sit in this room." Sounds pretty emphatic to me.

Look, Fickle could very well be throwing up a smoke screen. But that's not the point. The point is he slammed the door shut on the rumors. Franklin did not.

Did you see Kelly’s comments when asked about leaving. Pretty solid denial. Who cares what coaches say or don’t say.

 

[BBrown]

Imagine had CJF taken the same tack. But he didn't. He had a plan (some would call it extortion) and it was realized. But I don't blame CJF entirely. If someone is willing to pay guaranteed income regardless of your performance then blue skies, green light. I argue that the market for head coaches doesn't bear it. Elsewhere, coaches get fired over CJF's winning percentage. Rather, I fault the AD. She does have a dubious distinction tracking back to Cal. Google it. That said, cue her apologists and minions. Three... two... one...

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Is this the same as the Franklin haters pointing towards Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelley denials as the way to shoot down rumours?
LOL, yea lets give Luke a week and then see what he says.

 

[BBrown]

Hmmm. Show me a where prior to the contract extension Franklin stated something similar to: "There is no speculation. All I care about is the guys (the team) that sit in this room." Sounds pretty emphatic to me.

Look, Fickle could very well be throwing up a smoke screen. But that's not the point. The point is he slammed the door shut on the rumors. Franklin did not.

How can he do both in the same sentence?
And Oh BTW Franklin is still here those other 2 guys that slammed the rumor door shut last week....They gone.

 

[Obliviax]

Is this the same as the Franklin haters pointing towards Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelley denials as the way to shoot down rumours?
LOL, yea lets give Luke a week and then see what he says.

Agreed. We'll see his tone if ND comes calling with a contract twice that of UC's. Also, I always like the wordsmithing that goes on. You often see things like "I haven't been in contact with anyone from the University of X." Of course, their agents have been discussing the contract details for weeks.

You never hear them say "I am staying.".

 

[PSUSignore]

Yeah anyone that thinks those statements by Fickell constitute an unqualified commitment to Cincinnati is delusional and just finding a way to again rip Franklin.

Many here do go out of their way to rip Franklin. This causes those with more rational opinions to take a more defensive approach than they otherwise would. Then those that rip him accuse the rational ones of being blind and too enamored with Franklin, overlooking his faults. The rational people are well aware that Franklin has flaws, but because we are constantly put in position to aggressively defend him we often don't mention them. And so it goes... back and forth.

 

[fastlax16]

The point is he slammed the door shut on the rumors.

Not a single part of that statement qualifies as even gently closing the door. Its in exactly the same position it was in prior to him opening his mouth.

 

[PSUcup1]

I don’t think anyone had an issue with the way CJF handled the rumors the first time it happened…. Or even the 2nd

it was the 3rd, 4th, etc…. Where it started to irritate people

 

[LaJollaLion]

Psssst, your post will not age well. This was a bad flex IMO.

 

[BOSCO2]

Too bad he failed to mention the correct spelling of his name.

 

[fastlax16]

I don’t think anyone had an issue with the way CJF handled the rumors the first time it happened…. Or even the 2nd

it was the 3rd, 4th, etc…. Where it started to irritate people

Franklin didn't start the rumors. At some point if you're him you get sick of addressing it. If he responds to the first ten suddenly everyone freaks out if he doesnt respond the same way to the 11th, 12th, 20th vacancy his name comes up for.

Someone mentioned him as a candidate for the ND opening yesterday. Are we upset he hasn't responded?

 

[doctornick]

I'm so confused about this entire thread. It seems like Fickell handled the rumors the exact same way Franklin has always done - didn't shoot them down, didn't really even acknowledge them and made some token reference to his current job being where his focus is without committing to not leaving. Just like Franklin, he made a statement that was non-committal about anything so if he decides to take another job, he can't be accused of lying or misleading anyone.

 

[BBrown]

I'm so confused about this entire thread. It seems like Fickell handled the rumors the exact same way Franklin has always done - didn't shoot them down, didn't really even acknowledge them and made some token reference to his current job being where his focus is without committing to not leaving. Just like Franklin, he made a statement that was non-committal about anything so if he decides to take another job, he can't be accused of lying or misleading anyone.

No you are not confused, its the others that are just looking for new ways to rip Franklin that are confused as to how this works.

 

[KC-KS-Lion]

Yeah, that's the ticket. Where in my OP is Franklin ripped?? There's no denying he'd be fired at a dozen schools or more for having a 67% winning percentage. If that's ripping him then you're smoking mushrooms. Admittedly, I take the AD to task. Speaking of, how's it possible out of the few female ADs in the college universe we manage to hire the one having Title IX controversies?! That's plural, BTW.

Conclusion- "blue blood" programs are defined as programs which expect you to be in the hunt for national titles. These include: tOSU, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, OU, USC and Oregon. Judging by Franklin's contract extension we are not one of them. That's all I'm saying.

As JoePa once said (paraphrase) people need to adjust their expectations.

I don't go out of my way to rip him, but it doesn't take much effort to spot his coaching shortcomings, and was just as open about Joe's-he compromised some games to put in players higher in seniority or who stayed in his good graces, or to make a point about the culture, and even handcuffed somes' talents-keeping Rashad Casey from running, but that was his prerogative, and you take the entire package. At the same time, he stood for something beyond football and winning-I can respect and appreciate that, and sometimes the two were achieved together and that make things even more enjoyable (1986 bowl game against the Miami paramilitary).

Personally, I don't expect or want the current or future PSU coach to be an exact clone of JoePa, different time. i do like a mix of competent football mind with a higher and broader set of values and vision. I do appreciate Franklin for much of what he brings, but am unsure or confused about others...I think he has some of this mix, think he is much lighter on the football side-why his assistants are so critical.

Every time I think things have settled down to knowing what he believes and will do in changing and challenging situations, things get stirred up even before the team reaches the next level of performance let alone gets back to the recent normal. Maybe this 10 year 'commitment' is closer to an end, but with the crazy money and behavior or schools and coaches in the pool, who knows. I'm just glad I was a fan back in the late 70's thru mid 80's.

 

[Woodpecker]

Imagine had CJF taken the same tack. But he didn't. He had a plan (some would call it extortion) and it was realized. But I don't blame CJF entirely. If someone is willing to pay guaranteed income regardless of your performance then blue skies, green light. I argue that the market for head coaches doesn't bear it. Elsewhere, coaches get fired over CJF's winning percentage. Rather, I fault the AD. She does have a dubious distinction tracking back to Cal. Google it. That said, cue her apologists and minions. Three... two... one...

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Aren't the guys sitting in that room a bunch of reporters?