Key players gone, but Cincy's Luke Fickell says 'run is not over'

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Coach Luke Fickell has suggested a book about Cincinnati's upcoming football season could be titled "Life Without Desmond Ridder."

While finding a replacement for the record-setting four-year starter at quarterback may be at the front of the coach's mind this spring, the title of that tome should probably be amended to also lament the loss of a stud running back, a pair of All-American defensive backs and all seven captains from last year's College Football Playoff team.

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The stars aligned for "Coach Fick" last year as the star-studded Bearcats produced the best season in school history and cracked the CFP, the first team from a second-tier conference to do so. They didn't lose a game until they ran into Alabama in the national semifinal.

Now, with a contract extension worth $5 million a year through 2028 and Cincinnati's move to the Big 12 in the next couple of years, Fickell has to show he can sustain national success.

Fickell is entering his sixth season as Bearcats coach. He said spring practice this time is as critical as any during his tenure.

"Obviously, things are going to be different, but the expectations aren’t going to be different," he said. "How you go about them may be different. If you think we’re going to be exactly the same offense without Desmond Ridder, you’d be crazy, but we are going to expect the same results."

"The expectation doesn’t change, the train continues to move forward. It’s not slowing down, it’s not stopping," he said. "The run is not over."

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell coaches his players during practice for the Cotton Bowl NCAA football game,