After Fickell got the job at UC in December 2016, Guidugli called Dantonio, one of Fickell’s mentors as a young assistant at Ohio State, and asked him to put in a good word. Fickell remembered Guidugli as a quarterback but didn’t have an opening at that position. Instead, Fickell called Guidugli looking for some insight on another coach on CMU’s staff.
“I talked with him for maybe 10 minutes, and you’re so used to getting the company line when you’re talking to someone for the first time, but he was much more honest and blunt,” Fickell said. “That was unique. I kept thinking, ‘I like this guy.’”
Fickell didn’t know it, but Guidugli was ticked off during that call, hoping Fickell was calling him about a potential job. It all worked out in the end. Fickell realized Guidugli had a few years of experience as a running backs coach, and when Cincinnati had a surprise staff opening pop up at that spot a month later, Guidugli had done enough to win over Fickell.
“No-brainer. Done deal,” Fickell said. “It was refreshing to get that true, genuine vibe from him. That was something I never forgot.”
theathletic.com
