Luke Fickell pumped his fist and slapped hands with Cincinnati fans huddling around the visitors tunnel at Notre Dame Stadium early Saturday evening.
Several hours earlier, he had entered the field through the same tunnel, as the increasingly recognizable coach of an increasingly recognizable team. Cincinnati came in with a 34-6 record since the start of 2018, boasting AP top-25 finishes in 2018 and 2019, culminating with a No. 8 ranking last year.
But Fickell's team hadn't recorded a win on the national scale like Saturday's 24-13 triumph over No. 9 Notre Dame. After beating the Irish, everyone in college football knows who the Bearcats are. Everyone should know their coach, too.
Fickell's immediate path is to lead Cincinnati as far as he can, perhaps all the way to the College Football Playoff as the event's first Group of 5 entrant. But his latest win makes it easy to wonder where the nation's hottest Group of 5 coaching candidate could soon be going.
Will Fickell go to USC, where he would reunite with the athletic director (Mike Bohn) who hired him at Cincinnati? He should be on any candidate list for Power 5 openings, whether it's LSU (if Ed Orgeron is fired) or Penn State (if James Franklin leaves for USC). And if there's a surprise vacancy, like, say, Notre Dame (if Brian Kelly retires or moves on), Fickell would be a strong fit there, too.
Here's a closer look at Fickell and four other non-Power 5 coaches leading undefeated teams who have not only upgraded their programs, but their own stock for the upcoming coaching carousel.
Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
Record: 4-0 in 2021; 45-21 overall
Age: 48
There are several interesting variables with Fickell as an ascending coaching candidate. Most coaches his age, with his profile, would be beyond ready to jump to a higher-profile program. But Fickell might be less inclined to make a big move, even to a Tier 1 job such as USC.
He has spent almost his entire life in two places in Ohio -- his hometown of Columbus, where he played and then coached for Ohio State, and now Cincinnati. His wife, Amy, comes from a large Ohio family, and she and Luke have six children, only one of whom is in college (Landon is a freshman offensive lineman for Cincinnati). Fickell is the highest-paid Group of 5 coach ($3.4 million annually) and is set for bigger raises if he stays at Cincinnati, which soon will join the Big 12 and reap the financial benefits from being in a Power 5 league.
A bigger factor is that the two jobs that most suit Fickell, Ohio State and Notre Dame, are currently occupied. Ohio State is undoubtedly the dream destination -- Fickell served as Buckeyes interim head coach in 2011 after nine years as an assistant -- but unless Ryan Day leaves for the NFL, there won't be a vacancy there any time soon. Although Brian Kelly turns 60 on Oct. 25 and likely is in the autumn of his Notre Dame tenure, he also doesn't appear ready to leave South Bend.
The likelier vacancy that fits Fickell, Penn State, would first need to become available. PSU coach James Franklin makes a lot of sense for USC, and could even be an option if jobs such as LSU are available. But he also has a top-four team at PSU, and several people close to Franklin said he might be hesitant to go through a program rebuild, even a potentially quick one.
USC is an excellent job, and Fickell has familiarity with Bohn and some others in the school's athletic administration. But Los Angeles is totally foreign territory for him. The same would hold true for Baton Rouge or other desirable jobs outside the Midwest.
Fickell also isn't much of an advance planner, as he told me before the season.
"I've been around [coaches], they were always like, 'We've always got to have a plan, two steps ahead, that's my next job,'" he said. "I've been fortunate to have the philosophy that I don't worry about what would be next for me. This is where I want to be."
Fickell also continues to develop in his role at Cincinnati. Asked after the Notre Dame win about Cincinnati's Peach Bowl loss to Georgia, where the Bearcats squandered a late lead, Fickell said, "Us as coaches grow, too. We don't panic and we don't get out of characteristics of what we need to do."
As Cincinnati continues to win and the playoff talk increases, so will the talk about Fickell's next move. But don't be shocked if he stays put for a little while longer.
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Record: 5-0 in 2021; 43-26 overall
Age: 45
Sitake's suitability at his alma mater, where he played fullback under Hall of Fame coach LaVell Edwards, has never been in doubt. He made sense as the successor to Bronco Mendenhall, who surprisingly left BYU after the 2015 season for Virginia. Despite a poor season in 2017 and average ones in 2018 and 2019, Sitake still made sense for BYU, an FBS independent trying to find its way. Now BYU is surging, with wins in 16 of its past 17 games and a Big 12 move on the horizon. Sitake makes even more sense as the long-term leader of the program.
But there's a question some are starting to ponder: Does he make sense for other programs, too?
"I know my job is focused on the results because everybody wants me to win," Sitake told ESPN last week. "But that's not my purpose. My purpose is to try to help the young men achieve their dreams and their full potential. Part of that is making mistakes and having some obstacles in the way, and overcoming them. I get that people are really excited that we're winning, but this stuff is not just about the end result.
"For me, it's about the journey."
Sitake's holistic approach is shaped largely by playing for Edwards, who led BYU from 1972 to 2000 and went 257-101-3 with a national championship and 19 conference titles. According to Sitake, Edwards' foundation of consistency allowed players from different areas to connect, and for players to connect with all of their coaches, not just their position coach.
Sitake thought every program functioned the same way.
"It gave me a different unique perspective when I was a player, so I would be a fool if I didn't basically try to do a second version of that," he said. "LaVell mentored some amazing people. Tom Holmoe's our athletic director and he was mentored by LaVell Edwards as his head coach, and I came way later, and yet we speak the same language because of the culture that we got to live in when we were student-athletes here at BYU.
"And that's something special."
Few would be surprised if Sitake stays at BYU for a long time, especially with the program entering the Big 12 in 2023. Sitake has a great situation with an excellent athletic director in Holmoe, and comfortable surroundings. But if a program like USC came calling, he would have to listen. Sitake could instill the toughness, discipline and improved line-of-scrimmage play needed. USC also has a long tradition of producing elite Polynesian players, but has never had a Polynesian coach.
If USC looks elsewhere, Arizona State also could be an option for Sitake, as the NCAA investigation looms over the Sun Devils program. Sitake has worked in the Pac-12 at Oregon State and Utah, knows the recruiting landscape, has no character concerns and makes really good staffing hires, which would be a priority if the allegations ASU is facing are proven true. But with BYU entering the Big 12 soon, would Arizona State be enough of a step up to leave?
A Pac-12 administrator recently told me that any school in the league would be foolish not to consider Sitake. Another Pac-12 administrator was more hesitant about him, noting that BYU has some unique advantages as an independent with so many older players on its roster.
Like Fickell, Sitake is in a good spot, both short term and long term. But if he wants to make a move, the time could be now as his stock is surging.
Jamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina
Record: 5-0 in 2021; 24-17 overall at Coastal Carolina
Age: 44
After Coastal Carolina's breakthrough season in 2020, Chadwell and his program are navigating a new level of fame and attention this fall. Coastal Carolina entered the season ranked No. 22 and has risen to No. 15 entering Thursday's game at Arkansas State. The Chanticleers have outscored their opponents 241-70, lead the nation in third-down conversion percentage (65.9%) and rank seventh nationally in points allowed (14 ppg).
The strong start isn't surprising, as Coastal Carolina returned star quarterback Grayson McCall and 11 super seniors from an 11-1 team in 2020.
"Last year, we were the darlings, right, so everything was, 'Oh, man, America's team,' and all that," Chadwell told ESPN on Sunday. "This year, most people want you to get beat because they're tired of you. What we try to talk about every week is how we play and why we play. Really trying to, let's stop taking the focus on we have to win by this much or you're expected to do this and let's play for each other. That's the fun we had last year.
"It wasn't about trying to win the championship. Yes, you want to do that, but there's more so we're just playing for each other, to prove people we've got that chip on our shoulder."
Two attributes jump out with Chadwell: offensive scheme and culture building. Coastal Carolina's offense, which features option elements out of spread sets and includes some run-pass option, is different from what many defenses see. The Chanticleers' top three running backs all average more than 7 yards per carry, and their top three receivers average more than 14 yards per reception.
McCall has been nearly flawless, completing 80.2% of his passes with 10 touchdowns and one interception on 86 attempts.
"We're being more efficient," Chadwell said. "We know what we have in Grayson for a full year now. I'm not saying necessarily we've added all these different plays, but you feel more confident, 'Hey, listen, he can check us out of this, he can get us into this.' I don't know statistically where we're at, or anything like that. But the main things, are we scoring more touchdowns, and are we handling situational football?"
Coupled with an innovative scheme, Chadwell is an engaging, optimistic coach who has built a foundation of fun elements, which his players are reinforcing this season. Chadwell has noticed some tightness with the team early on, but players have worked through it.
"By Year 3, you know, you should have almost complete buy-in," Chadwell said. "That's when you walk in the building and feel good about what you've done. Really for the year and a half, there's not been a day where I've had to worry about anything from a culture standpoint, which has helped really take this program the next step."
The biggest knock on Chadwell as a Power 5 coaching candidate is that he has never coached at a Power 5 program. And while the Sun Belt is a solid league, Coastal Carolina's recent run hasn't featured many notable national wins outside of BYU last year.
But Chadwell has shown he can elevate programs, which he did at Division II North Greenville and FCS Charleston Southern before Coastal Carolina. He generated buzz for Power 5 openings last year and should again if certain jobs in the region open, such as Virginia Tech.
Jeff Traylor, UTSA
Record: 5-0 in 2021; 12-5 overall
Age: 53
Traylor spent the first 25 years of his career coaching high school football in Texas, including 15 years leading Gilmer High, his alma mater, which won three state championships and more than 87% of its games under his watch. The lifelong Texan still very much considers himself a high school coach, despite a very strong start at his first college head-coaching job.
"I've got seven Texas high school coaches on my staff, including myself," Traylor told ESPN last week. "Everything we do, we feel like we have an obligation to put a good product on the field for all my buddies in the state. I have buddies that deserved their opportunities, and I know the better that I do, the more opportunities I create for my buddies."
Every college coach in Texas eventually recognizes the magnitude and influence of the Texas High School Coaches Association. Some manage their relationship with the THCSA better than others, though, and those who don't often suffer the consequences with their college teams.
Although Traylor only entered the college ranks in 2015, when he joined the University of Texas staff, his connection to the THCSA and the state's prep scene might be unmatched among his college contemporaries.
"[The THCSA] separates us from the rest of the country," Traylor said. "Florida's got great athletes, Texas does, California, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, that's not the argument. It's just the most organized coaches' association in the country, from top to bottom. They include everyone, and they are about developing the whole student. Anything they do is just very well done.
"They're loyal, they're good people and I'm honored to be in their association."
Traylor isn't just paying lip service.
"Traylor is the most powerful guy in the state of Texas with the coaches," an industry source said. "Gary Patterson is probably second. Lincoln [Riley] is close and he's outside the state. [Traylor] is their own."
Traylor is entrenched in the Texas high school scene, but interestingly enough, two of his biggest coaching mentors are an NFL head coach and a national-championship-winning college coach. One is Mack Brown, the Texas head coach from 1999 to 2013, and the other is Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule, who led Baylor from 2017 to 2019 and revived the program. Despite different backgrounds, both connected well with the THCSA and coaches like Traylor.
Rhule actually helped Traylor craft an element of UTSA's #210TriangleofToughness philosophy. UTSA players vote on who should get to wear jerseys with with the numbers 2, 1 and 0, signifying San Antonio's area code.
"He called me one night late and said, 'Hey, have you thought about making it the area code and having your top [players] go to the 210?'" Traylor said. "I'm like, 'What head coach of the Carolina Panthers is thinking about something like that at midnight?' He's a blessing. He does it right. He's just been very, very good to me."
Traylor's Power 5 job prospects could be limited to his home state, although every Big 12 school recruits heavily in Texas and needs a coach with ties there. Entering the season, Texas Tech projected as a potential coaching vacancy, but Matt Wells is 4-1 with wins over Houston and West Virginia. There are no other obvious hot-seat situations in the Big 12. One non-Power 5 landing spot would be SMU if Sonny Dykes moves on. Traylor spent the 2017 season as an SMU assistant and was considered for the top job when Chad Morris left for Arkansas.
For now, Traylor will chase a Conference USA championship at UTSA.
Sonny Dykes, SMU
Record: 5-0 in 2021; 27-14 at SMU
Age: 51
As the only coach in this story who has led a Power 5 program, Dykes will have a fascinating decision to make about his next career step. He didn't fit at Cal, where he went 19-30 in four years. He's an excellent fit at SMU, which is 22-6 since the start of the 2019 season and could pose the primary challenge to Fickell's Cincinnati team in the AAC.
SMU has invested more in its program, and Dykes could easily remain on the Hilltop for many more years. But if he wants to get back to college football's biggest stages, he likely will leave, as SMU was left out of the Big 12's latest expansion push and likely won't be in the next one, if it happens.
Although the Big 12 coaching carousel should be light this year, especially if Texas Tech doesn't make a move, Power 5 programs seeking a coach with Texas ties and the ability to work the transfer portal should look in Dykes' direction. Dykes has made SMU a transfer destination, capitalizing on players from the Dallas area bouncing back for the Power 5. SMU also has built its depth through development of high school recruits.
"At first, we needed help, and it was kind of, we'll take anybody that can help us out a little bit," Dykes told ESPN on Sunday. "That's what we did with some of those transfers early on. The high school players we've recruited have really helped us, and then we've been able to add some transfers at some key positions, and some of those guys have turned into real difference-makers for us.
"I thought we had a chance to have a good team this year because it's really the first time we've had any depth."
SMU feels good about its two-deep on defense for the first time in Dykes' tenure, and the results show under first-year coordinator Jim Leavitt. The Mustangs are allowing only 21.8 points per game and 32.4% conversions on third down. They're tied for 21st nationally with nine takeaways. Defense had been a knock against Dykes, an Air Raid offense disciple, at Cal and early in his SMU tenure.
Dykes hopes the increased depth and development of young players, especially in the secondary, helps SMU sustain its strong start. The Mustangs opened the 2019 season at 8-0 but dropped three of their final five games, largely because of roster attrition.
"We didn't have a lot of depth, so we had to play our starters a lot of snaps and the more they wore down," Dykes said. "What we tried to do coming into the year was, 'Hey, let's make sure that we have a two-deep, let's play those guys as much as we can, the guys who deserve to play.' It's like having a pitch count, almost. We don't want to play defensive players 80 snaps a game if we don't have to.
"We're playing better defense. We don't have to play as many snaps because of that, and we're also two deep, and up front, on the defensive line, we're two-and-a-half deep."
Although Texas Tech seems increasingly unlikely to open, Dykes would be an obvious candidate at his alma mater, where his father, Spike, coached from 1986 to 1999. But Dykes also intimately knows the challenges of the job, and the expectations around it, and might target a program with more direct access to players.
His first Pac-12 go-round didn't go well, but a spot like Arizona State could be intriguing. A former offensive coordinator at Arizona, Dykes could recruit the state as well as Texas and California. He will remain a name to watch as SMU continues winning.