Luke Fickell being weirdly defensive about OC ahead of Nebraska football game

When Matt Rhule was hired for the Nebraska football program and Luke Fickell was hired by Wisconsin, there was all kinds of excitement at both schools. It’s safe to say the excitement has turned to apprehension in less than two full seasons.

It’s honestly a bit weird just how similar the two programs are these days. They’re both 5-5 but more than that, they both replaced their offensive coordinators in the last few weeks. However, while Matt Rhule was quick to announce Dana Holgorsen as the new Huskers’ OC, Fickell is for reasons not clear, refusing to say who will call plays on Saturday when the Badgers travel to Lincoln.

During his Monday press conference addressing offensive coordinator Phil Longo being let go, Fickell was oddly cagey when questions about who would replace him came up. ​​Fickell said the play-calling effort for his offense will be done by a "collaborative group" the rest of the season. When he was pressed he responded, "I don't think it's really important," who the specific play caller is.

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“Why does it matter?” Fickell fired back after the media continued asking who Longo’s replacement was. “The offense will be run, and those guys will do a lot of things collaboratively. I don’t think it’s really important as to who is calling it. I guess it gives you the ability to point a finger at somebody. It’s not one of those things I think is that important. Sometimes I think it’s overrated in some ways, but it’ll be a collaborative group and those guys will have to work a lot together.”

It will certainly be interesting to see just how the playcalling goes for Wisconsin against the Nebraska football team. One would think it’s not nearly as “collaborative” as Fickell is letting on.