Hours away from the biggest game of his career. An idea that might seem unfathomable to some seems more fathomable. Cincinnati Football head coach Luke Fickell might stay in Cincinnati for many more years.

It’s that time of year again in College Football. The sun is setting earlier, and Luke Fickell is on head coaching candidate lists for various programs. This week there was speculation about Fickell and Notre Dame Football’s brief head coaching vacancy. Fickell’s name previously came up in discussions about USC Football’s recent coaching search. Nevertheless, Fickell is still Cincinnati Football’s head coach. Bearing a few things in mind, Fickell might stay in Cincinnati longer than national observers might expect.

First, Fickell still has things he can accomplish in Cincinnati worth staying around for. The impending move to the Big 12 gives Fickell and Cincinnati a chance to shine against more prominent competitors. Giving him a chance to prove himself as a good Power Five coach without leaving Cincinnati. The College Football Playoff push is another factor. Along with the quest to win a New Year’s Six Bowl; something Cincinnati hasn’t accomplished yet. The last two factors are things he and the Bearcats can accomplish this year. Why would he leave on the cusp of doing that?

The inconvenient timing of job openings is a factor right now. This week’s Notre Dame opening came up at an inconvenient time for Notre Dame, Luke Fickell and Cincinnati. Notre Dame is in the situation Brian Kelly left Cincinnati with 12 years ago. Bolting out of town before their bowl game. Notre Dame itself has a clear path towards a New Year’s Six Bowl. A bowl it could win with former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman becoming ND’s new head coach.

Meanwhile, Fickell spent part of the week facing questions about Notre Dame and Oklahoma’s job openings. While preparing for one of the biggest games of his career. The AAC Championship Game at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium this Saturday. With 12-0 and No.4 (CFP) Cincinnati hosting 11-1 Houston Football. With a first ever invitation to the College Football Playoff on the line for Cincinnati.

The Fickell family is another factor to bear in mind. Luke and his wife Amy don’t seem eager to pull up their Cincinnati roots yet. For reasons that have little to do with football. Now former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly’s kids are all grown up. His youngest son Kenzel already graduated from high school. The Kelly’s already adjusted to moving around when Brian left Central Michigan for Cincinnati and later to Notre Dame. This, along with moving from one blue blood program to another makes going to coach LSU Football an easier move for Kelly.

Elsewhere, four of Luke Fickell’s six kids aren’t even old enough to drive. All six have lived in Ohio for their entire lives. The media and fan environment in Cincinnati is much different than the hometowns of many blue blood programs. It’s doubtful Luke could enjoy a reasonable work/life balance in a place like South Bend, IN. Fickell has more breathing room in Cincinnati. Thanks to the reasonable expectations Cincinnati Bearcats fans have. Cincinnati fans aren’t going to demand he be fired over following up a conference title winning season with a 6-6 campaign.

Fickell has more room to focus on football without being constantly hounded. By boosters, fans or the Cincinnati press. The Bearcats are grabbing the attention of a region with various sports options. The spotlight isn’t constantly on them the way it’s constantly on Alabama Football in Alabama. Giving the Bearcats more space to focus on life beyond the gridiron.

Ultimately, the Bearcats are in a wonderful position. They’re in position to make CFP and program history. Being effectively one win away from becoming the first Group of Five CFP participant. They’ve just achieved back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons and their head coach is staying around. All leaving Bearcats fans with a lot to enjoy.