The Cincinnati Bearcats and head coach Luke Fickell have experienced some staffing changes in the wake of the program’s historic run to the College Football Playoff, and a few of the new hires and promotions are falling into place.
As expected, multiple sources confirmed to The Athletic that Fickell will elevate quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli to offensive coordinator to replace Mike Denbrock, who took the same position at LSU. Guidugli, a record-setting Bearcats quarterback and member of the program’s Ring of Honor, has been the heir apparent at OC and was integral in the development of departing quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Guidugli will continue to serve as the quarterbacks coach. Wide receivers coach Mike Brown is expected to add the role of passing game coordinator, which was previously held by Guidugli.
Joining Guidugli’s offense is Central Michigan offensive line coach Mike Cummings, who sources confirmed will take the same position at Cincinnati. Ron Crook, who spent the past five seasons as the Bearcats’ offensive line coach, is still on the staff, but his future with the program is uncertain. Cummings and Guidugli previously worked together on staff at Central Michigan.
(Photo: Courtesy of Cincinnati Bearcats Athletics)
What does this mean for the Bearcats?
Justin Williams, Cincinnati beat writer: Guidugli’s promotion to OC has been a long time coming and well deserved for one of the staff’s top recruiters and developers, not to mention one of the program’s all-time best players. The hiring of Cummings, who has a strong track record of developing offensive line talent at CMU, signals Guidugli’s influence over the unit, as well as Cincinnati’s emphasis to bolster the frontline as it transitions into the Big 12.
Brown adding the title of passing game coordinator is a nice incentive for an assistant who has been a hot name on the coaching market this offseason and should help maintain some consistency on the offensive staff.
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