University of Cincinnati board approves extension for Luke Fickell

The University of Cincinnati made it official on Tuesday.

UC's board of trustees unanimously approved a new contract extension for Luke Fickell that will pay the 48-year-old football coach $5 million per year through 2028.

University sources told The Enquirer on Feb. 14 that Fickell and UC had agreed to the new extension, which includes a $1.6 million annual salary increase.

More:UC Bearcats coach Luke Fickell agrees to extension for $5 million per year through 2028

“Completing a contract extension for Coach Fickell was a top priority for our athletic department and university, and shows our commitment to growing this football program and taking it to the next level,” UC Director of Athletics John Cunningham said.

When recommending Fickell’s contract extension to the board, Cunningham spoke of Fickell’s leadership, integrity and coaching ability and his importance to UC and the athletic department.

“We believe we have the best coach in the country and certainly the best leader for our Cincinnati football program," he said. "He has proven that day in and day out by building a culture that consistently wins and breaks records, but most importantly develops men of great character, setting them up to succeed in life. I can’t thank President Neville Pinto enough for his leadership and work on getting this contract completed."

Fickell, who led the Bearcats to a 13-1 season, a second straight American Athletic Conference championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2021, said he's "truly honored" to stay at the helm of the UC football program.

“I appreciate the support of the leadership at the University of Cincinnati, including Director of Athletics John Cunningham and (UC) President Neville Pinto, as well as the Board of Trustees, our fans and our whole university and Cincinnati community,” Fickell said. “John and President Pinto share my vision for how we want to grow this program and take it to the next level, and that’s by investing in people - not just the head coach - and providing the necessary resources to prepare student-athletes to be at their best on and off the field."

The new deal, which replaces Fickell's previous extension approved by the board in August 2020, features a $5.2 million annual salary pool for Fickell's staff. The previous extension included a pool of $3.85 million.

Fickell also requested an updated indoor practice facility as part of the extension, Cunningham said.

Cincinnati is 48-15 in five seasons under Fickell. The former standout Ohio State defensive lineman and longtime Buckeyes assistant was hired as the 42nd head coach in UC program history in December 2016.