The University of Cincinnati has a wide range of options to consider. In their pursuit of a new head football coach. From options they’ve tapped into before to one they haven’t recently tapped into.

There’s something UC hasn’t done in recent football head coaching searches. Promote someone already on their coaching staff to be head coach. Two candidates to consider are already on Cincinnati’s staff. Interim head coach Kerry Coombs and quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli. While it’s been decades since Coombs was a head coach. He was previously part of Ohio State’s and the Tennessee Titans coaching staffs. Before returning to UC earlier this year; to be the cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator.

Guidugli has deep roots within the Cincinnati Bearcats program. Being the Bearcats’ quarterback in the early 2000’s. He currently serves as Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach. Some Cincinnati players have reportedly endorsed Guidugli to be the head coach. That can be an asset for Guidugli if being Cincinnati’s head coach is something he wants to pursue.

In an era where college athletes wield power through the transfer portal, along with Name, Image and Likeness compensation. Maintaining trust with athletes is even more crucial for head coaches. Compared to others of Cincinnati’s staff, Guidugli and Coombs seem the least likely to leave Cincinnati. Just based on their deep roots to the Greater Cincinnati area. Cincinnati will maintain continuity if Coombs and Guidugli get the head coaching job.

Maintaining continuity will be a huge asset for the Bearcats. Considering the legacy Luke Fickell is leaving behind. As he takes on Wisconsin’s head coaching job. Fickell brought the Bearcats back into national prominence. With a College Football Playoff pursuit that attracted College Gameday and the Big 12 Conference. He also succeeded in bringing in many local recruits. After predecessor Tommy Tuberville mostly focused on his recruiting network in the south.

UC’s needs to find someone that can continue to build on Fickell’s recruiting legacy. In the Fickell era, Cincinnati attracted Desmond Ridder from the Louisville area. Along with the two most recent Cincinnati area Ohio Mr. Football winners Corey Kiner and Evan Prater. With the Bearcats moving into the Power Five ranks. Cincinnati will be in a great position to continue attracting Cincinnati area recruits. That might otherwise go to Ohio State, Notre Dame or another nearby powerhouse program.

Bearcats Football has had great success finding new head coaches over the years. Using a wide variety of options in recent years. They hired Brian Kelly and Butch Jones from Central Michigan. Cincinnati could consider a coach from a Mid-American Conference school again. Such as Toledo head coach Jason Candle or Kent State head coach Sean Lewis. UC can also reach into the program’s modern roots by hiring Jesse Minter. The Michigan defensive coordinator literally grew up around Cincinnati Football, when his dad Rick Minter was Cincinnati’s head coach.

Even though Cincinnati is moving to a power five conference. Cincinnati should not feel compelled to hire a recently fired power five head coach. Such as Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin predecessor Paul Chryst. Or former Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin. Cincinnati doesn’t need to try and lure Deion Sanders away from Jackson State either.

UC has perhaps the widest range of options they’ve ever had. Whoever Cincinnati ultimately hires; that person will inherit a phenomenal program. Poised to continue this ongoing era of national prominence for Bearcats Football.