Ohio State Football: An Open Letter to New Coach Luke Fickell

Dear Coach Luke Fickell:

Please don't break my heart.

About two weeks ago, I wrote an open letter to Terrelle Pryor and let him know we were breaking up. He betrayed me in ways I never thought would happen, so I hung my No. 2 jersey in the closet and kissed a championship run goodbye. 

Now, I'm writing another letter. And this time, the stakes are even higher. 

After you were named the new 2011 football coach, I, along with the rest of Buckeye community, was taken aback.

Who is this guy? A wrestling coach? A young guy? And most importantly, a no-name face?

So I began to do some research. I listened to the press conferences and visited Wikipedia (speaking of, you really should update that page; I was disappointed that I couldn't invade your life the way I could Jim Tressel's). 

After minutes of careful thinking, I dusted off the bandwagon and got on board. After all, Buckeyes stick together through thick and thin. If we made it through Maurice Clarett's conviction and John Cooper's Michigan record, we could survive this recent black eye.

Today, I listened to yet another press conference. My opinion? I liked what you had to say. 

Regarding your players, you stated, "It’s the ability to know each and every guy, and more so I want them to know me...we’re going to give everybody an opportunity, we’re going to evaluate them each and every day and communicate with them where we are."

I agree wholeheartedly. The players know you as an assistant coach, but not as a head coach. You need to work from a blank slate and start over. Communication is key—in a situation like ours, it's crucial to let everyone know where the team is headed and the strides that have been made.

Like you said earlier, communication will prevent people from getting blindsided:

"This happened Memorial Day, and we only had a week with them. Getting the pulse of the team, you’d think we know, but we’re not around them to see what the pulse is."

Finally, you handled Clay Hall's question effortlessly:

"For the record, you’re saying you would go into the octagon with the 10 other [conference] coaches, and you would emerge as the victor?

"I’m up for anything these days," you laughed. "With 18 years of wrestling background, that’s something that might be more comfortable to me."

With that being said, I'm going to put my faith in you. I will shush all of the nay-sayers and don whatever fashion trend you start. (Instead of a sweater vest, perhaps a comfortable pair of Converses will do? Or an Indiana Jones-inspired fedora?)

Help us, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're our only hope.