Ohio State Football: Why Luke Fickell Has Failed in His Chance to Be Next Coach

Ohio State's 2011 season could otherwise be known as Luke Fickell's extended job interview.

He had a chance to step in and fill the shoes of his predecessor, Jim Tressel, while at the same time quelling the momentum of fans wanting to bring in Urban Meyer.

While he can't take full responsibility for the fact that Ohio State is in the position it's in, mostly due to the looming NCAA sanctions, he has not shown enough that should warrant him the right to stay on as head coach.

Fickell appears lost sometimes on the sidelines, not seeming to grasp what it means to be a head coach at this level.

He has also made some questionable personnel decisions, especially with the QB shuffle between Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller. Luckily he has gotten better at it, but that is mostly because Miller has forced his way into full-time duty with his great play.

However, the problems Ohio State has had throughout the season deal with maddening inconsistencies, most recognizably offensively.

In the time frame forced upon him, Fickell was almost inclined to bring back the much-criticized Jim Bollman as offensive coordinator, which in hindsight is the proverbial nail in his coffin. Even still, the head coach has the power to override poor play calling and try to inspire more creative play calls, something the team has only done once all season long.

What's even worse is the Buckeye defense has looked surprisingly vulnerable all season long. OSU's defense, which has recently been a downhill, attacking force, has gone back to the soft zones that plagued the Buckeyes in two straight national championship defeats.

Going back to Fickell's initial press conference upon being named head coach for the season, he promised his team would lead the country in toughness and energy.

So far, he has more than failed to deliver the goods. Some of that is on the players, but coaches are responsible for not only getting the most out of their players, but putting them in the best position to succeed.

By that criteria, he has failed.

Fickell does deserve a head coaching job, but he's not ready for the Ohio State head job. Whether there is just too much momentum for Urban Meyer or not is irrelevant for the most part. The part that matters is how desirable the job as OSU head coach is, which is in the top echelon of jobs out there.

And whoever the Ohio State coach is next season will need to be someone who not only understands the prestige that comes with the job, but also about the expectation that the Buckeyes have set for themselves in the last decade.

Fickell can be that person, but not until he has some success at the lower level with his own hand-picked coaches.

He may be hired back to OSU under one condition: He replaces most of the offensive coaching staff, including Bollman, RB coach Dick Tressel and QB coach Nick Siciliano.

If he can't at least get that assurance to the powers that be when it comes to picking the next Buckeye coach, Fickell won't be patrolling the sidelines as head coach.

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