Luke Fickell bids Cincinnati farewell almost two weeks after quitting his position as UC football coach.

The head football coach at the University of Cincinnati is bidding adieu, but it comes over two weeks after he left.

Luke Fickell, the most successful head football coach in UC Bearcat history throughout a six-year tenure, posted a farewell note to Cincinnati players and supporters on December 8. On November 27, Fickell left UC to become the head coach at the University of Wisconsin.

“I’m grateful, Cincinnati. Fickell tweeted a graphic with the caption, “Coaching at the University of Cincinnati has been an honor and a rewarding experience that has afforded me the opportunity to learn and grow professionally and personally.”

The former UC coach then thanked important University of Cincinnati stakeholders in a note.

“I want to say thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be your head football coach,” Fickell stated in a letter. “To [athletics director] John Cunningham, president Neville Pinto, Ryan Hayes and many others – thank you for all of your support.”

Fickell addressed his former players with sentiment in the note.

“I adore you, I appreciate you, and I will always remember each and every player. You improved me as a leader, father, coach, and human being. I owe everything to the athletes that shone for our university, program, and TEAM,” Fickell added.

Once more, he thanked Cincinnati and UC in his signature.

“Never will a fan base love a coach more than the Cincy faithful did for BDF.” Good luck, coach,” wrote a user on Twitter.

“Forgot the fans who helped you get what you stated you needed and who funded it all. It’s a poor look, it’s the first time since you came here,” commented someone else. “Coaches resemble players in my opinion. Next, man up! You made the decision to move on. Thus, I am likewise forced to move on. Not resentful, just indifferent. Not my mentor.”

As the most successful football coach in UC history, Fickell had developed the program. After the 2016 season, he signed with Cincinnati and over the course of six years, he amassed a 57-18 record. The squad qualified for the College Football Playoffs for the first time as a non-Power Five conference team by finishing the 2021 season unbeaten. However, they were defeated 27–6 by the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the postseason.

Fickell currently has a seven-year contract with Wisconsin that includes a $7.5 million base salary and potential for more if he meets performance and postseason goals. That exceeds the $5 million Fickell was making under his previous Cincinnati contract.

Furthermore, it’s more than UC’s new head coach Scott Satterfield is getting. Satterfield, who was unveiled as Cincinnati’s coach on December 5, has a six-year contract with UC that, subject to university board approval, will pay him $3.4 million in the first year. In addition, he will get a $100,000 raise every year.