Luke Fickell ready to get started as coach at Ohio State
Luke Fickell says his greatest advantage is he didn't have any time to sit and think about what is happening. From the time he was named Jim Tressel's replacement, life has been a whirlwind that landed Fickell in Chicago this week for the Big Ten meetings.
"I've had no time to sit and think," Fickell said Thursday. "I had no time to feel sorry of any sort, to have a whole lot of emotion. The situation arose and obviously I had to stand up."
Fickell is joined by center Mike Brewster, safety Orhian Johnson and linebacker Andrew Sweat for the two-day event. Players will report for fall camp Aug. 6, a day that can't come soon enough for those involved.
"We don't have time to cry about it or feel sorry for ourselves," Brewster said. "We have a season to play."
Fickell said he hasn't had much contact with Tressel, but that isn't because administrators have warned him to stay away from his former boss. He has, however, spoke to Earle Bruce and John Cooper about the task that lies ahead. Fickell played for Cooper at Ohio State.
"We know we need to be who we are and continue to move forward and focus on the things we have, not the things we do not have anymore," Fickell said. "I know he has been very supportive. He loves Ohio State and wishes us nothing but the best."
