MADISON, Wisconsin — As the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Wisconsin Badgers, they’ll do so against a familiar face on the opposing sidelines.

Luke Fickell not only played at OSU but also coached for his alma mater for 16 years. His family and friends share what this matchup is like and what he means to the Columbus community.


What You Need To Know

  • Luke Fickell held a then-record of starting 50 straight games at DT for the Buckeyes before coaching there for 16 years as an assistant and interim head coach

  • Fickell then went on to be head coach at the University of Cincinnati for six seasons before taking the job at Wisconsin

  • Fickell's younger brother, Mike says he was surprised he took the Wisconsin job but realized it ultimately made sense

  • His friends and family say they are so proud of all he has accomplished so far 

Luke Fickell might be known as the Wisconsin Badgers head coach, but he has a long history that started in Columbus. Including three state championships as a wrestler at DeSales.

Luke Fickell won three state championships in wrestling at DeSales (Photo credit: The Fickell Family)

His younger brother, Mike, remembers what it was like growing up being the youngest Fickell.

“It could be tough at times because he was always so much bigger, but it was great that he was there for me to guide me along the way," Mike Fickell said.

Mike Fickell is four years younger than Luke and remembers always looking up to his big brother growing up (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

For Nick Magistrale, a high school teammate of Fickell’s on the football field and the current Athletic Director at Dublin Scioto, he remembers hearing Fickell’s name before even entering the doors of DeSales.

“St. Francis DeSales always holds a special place in my heart,” Magistrale said. “A lot of the coaches and athletes that I met there really helped mold me into the person that I am today. That’s where I met Luke Fickell. I knew of him before high school, but then when we got to team up and play football together, that was a pretty special time.”

Nick Magistrale met Luke Fickell freshman year on the football team at DeSales (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

Magistrale and Fickell have remained friends through the years, fondly remembering when that friendship began.

“All the way back to freshman football, I remember he was a tight end, and I was a quarterback at that time, and I would just always ask 'hey what are you doing on this play' and I would be looking for Luke," Magistrale said.

Fickell took the Wisconsin job this season after six seasons with the University of Cincinnati, the first time Fickell left the state of Ohio. His brother said he was surprised by his decision at first.

“It was an inevitable move," Mike said. "Times were changing in the sport and I think he saw that, and I think he knew he needed to make a move and it was a good opportunity and you don’t always get those opportunities all the time. I was surprised at first, but then as I sat back and reflected and thought about it and talked to him for a little bit, it made a lot of sense.”

And this week Fickell was asked about his connections to the Buckeyes- saying it’s not about him.

“It’s about the players," Luke Fickell said. "It’s about our team, it’s about our program, it’s about the journey that we’re on and the process that we’re in, not the specifics of 'hey you went to school there, hey you played there, hey you got guys on your staff from there'. When the ball is kicked off, that will have absolutely no effect on what happens on that field.”

Fickell has played his alma mater once as a head coach at UC and once as an assistant coach at Akron (Spectrum News 1/Tino Bovenzi)

Mike says he knows his brother is dealing with the impending emotions this game is sure to bring.

“I think he’ll tell you it’s business as usual, but I think there are a lot of emotions that are going on," Mike said.

While it will certainly be emotional for Fickell, it’s not the first time he’s faced his alma mater- he did it as an assistant coach at Akron as well as at UC. But no matter what happens, his family and friends say they’re proud of what he’s been able to accomplish.

“Good luck to him this weekend," Mike said to his older brother. "We’re watching him, we’re cheering for him, he’s done a great job and just proud of him.”