The Big Ten west landed two of the biggest fish in the coaching carousel this offseason, with Matt Rhule heading to Nebraska to replace the unceremoniously departed Scott Frost, while Wisconsin landed Luke Fickell after moving on from Paul Chryst mid-season. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each guy, and see who made the better hire.
The case for Rhule:
We’ve already seen him succeed in rebuilding a P5 program at Baylor, turning them around within two years, and he’s already coming in hot on the recruiting trail. A proven winner, he’s got ties all across the country and the demeanor needed for a no-nonsense program like Nebraska. Rhule is a floor-raiser that should have the Huskers back to bowl eligibility in his first year and even potentially winning the western division that is wide open.
The case against Rhule:
We’ve never seen him stick around anywhere long enough to get a real good sense of what his long-term vision and program will look like. This job will tell us if he’s going to turn into a coaching nomad or someone who stays and builds something truly sustainable.
The case for Fickell:
The only coach who has ever brought a Group of 5 team to the CFP, Fickell has been one of the hottest commodities on the market since even before Cincinnati’s run to the playoff. He reportedly turned down some of the biggest jobs in the country but chose Wisconsin and brought not only a ton of his staff from Cincinnati but also one of the country’s most innovative play-callers in Phil Longo from UNC. Between a renewed investment in the Wisconsin program by the athletic department and school chancellor, as well as renewed juice in the program behind this hiring, the long-term upside for the program is massive.
The case against Fickell:
He’s never been a Power 5 head coach, and there may be some growing pains in having to face a higher level of competition week-in and week-out, as well as adapting to a completely different offense. Additionally, if the Ohio State job opens, he’ll be the first person they contact and will more than likely make him an offer he can’t refuse.
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The Verdict:
You’re splitting hairs, as these are arguably the two top hires of the entire 2022-23 coaching carousel. Rhule gives you a higher floor, but Fickell gives you a higher ceiling. I’ll take Fickell by the slightest of margins, but you cannot go wrong with either.
