In December 2016, Luke Fickell signed on to be the 42nd head coach in the history of the University of Cincinnati football program. Five years later, Fickell has done the unthinkable, making the Bearcats the first Group of Five team to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The 48-year-old coach was rewarded for his work Tuesday, being named The Home Depot Coach of the Year.
More:Cincinnati at No. 4 becomes first Group of Five team to crack College Football Playoff
The honor, which is decided by ESPN and ABC college football analysts, is presented annually to the top head coach in college football. Fickell will receive the award during the 31st annual The Home Depot College Football Awards at 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.
Fickell is the second Cincinnati coach to win the award, joining former UC coach Brian Kelly in 2009.
Fickell was named the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for the third time this season. Fickell also earned the honor in 2018 and 2020.
Fickell's Bearcats (13-0) are the only remaining undefeated team in the FBS after winning their second straight AAC championship.
Cincinnati, which is ranked No. 4 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, will face top-ranked Alabama (12-1) in the Cotton Bowl at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 31 on ESPN. The winner will play either No. 2 Michigan (12-1) or No. 3 Georgia (12-1) for a national championship Jan. 10, 2022, on ESPN.
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