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Michigan State Football: 5 potential candidates to replace Mark Dantonio

By Connor Muldowney

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on during warmups before a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on during warmups before a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats walks off the field after a win over the Temple Owls at Nippert Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats walks off the field after a win over the Temple Owls at Nippert Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

1. Luke Fickell, HC, Cincinnati

If you watched Ohio State’s 2011 season which came after Jim Tressel stepped down following a scandal and left Luke Fickell as the interim coach, you’d probably be left wondering why that same guy would be Michigan State’s top candidate for head coach.

The answer is simple: Fickell took his lumps, learned, got hired at Cincinnati and has had plenty of success with the Bearcats.

Being thrown into the fire in 2011 as a young coach, Fickell wasn’t exactly set up to succeed at Ohio State and he was kept on as defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer until 2016 before he left for Cincinnati. With the Bearcats, Fickell is 26-13 in three seasons which includes back-to-back 11-win campaigns.

If you don’t recall, Michigan State’s last coach (Mark Dantonio) came over from Cincinnati as well and the Bearcats often produce elite Power Five coaches.

Fickell would be my top candidate if I’m Bill Beekman and Michigan State because he’s young (46), knows how to recruit, knows the region, is from the Midwest and is looking to take that next step as a head coach.

Next. 3 takeaways from avoidable loss at Wisconsin. dark

This may be the perfect situation for both parties.

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