How the Cincinnati Bearcats became legitimate CFP contenders

They might try to convince you otherwise, but it's safe to assume that no one involved in Cincinnati's late-2016 coaching search truly knew they were getting this in Luke Fickell.

After a quick downward slide in the final season of Tommy Tuberville's flaky tenure, the Bearcats were looking for stability and direction. They made just about the most logical hire imaginable: a defensive coordinator from a local powerhouse (Ohio State) and a guy who knows the recruiting terrain well.

Granted, Fickell's only experience as a head coach was not exactly a strong point on the résumé -- as a full-year interim at Ohio State following Jim Tressel's sudden resignation in late May 2011, he steered the…