Former Ohio State football player, coach Luke Fickell putting stamp on Wisconsin Badgers

INDIANAPOLIS – Luke Fickell has been Wisconsin's football coach for eight months. It wasn't until Thursday when he entered Lucas Oil Stadium that it really hit him that he was back in the Big Ten.

“Today was probably the first day, when I walked in, that it became a little bit surreal, like 'Wow, this has almost come full circle,' ” Fickell said.

This was not Fickell's first Big Ten media days as a head coach. Ohio State tabbed the DeSales graduate and former Buckeye defensive lineman as coach in 2011 after the firing of Jim Tressel.

With their biggest stars forced to serve suspensions that year – quarterback Terrelle Pryor left school – the Buckeyes went 6-7. Fickell was retained as Urban Meyer's defensive coordinator before a highly successful six-year run as Cincinnati head coach, culminating in a College Football Playoff appearance.

More: Ohio State as Big Ten underdogs? After losses to Michigan, that's Buckeyes' new role

It was widely reported that Michigan State wanted to hire Fickell in 2020, but he stayed at Cincinnati. In November, Fickell decided the timing was finally right for a new challenge.

“It has a lot to do with Wisconsin, it has a lot to do with the Big Ten, and a lot has to do with the timing of my family,” said the 49-year-old Fickell, who has six kids, including two sets of twins, with his wife Amy.

“If it wasn't the right time for my family, even as great of a place and job as it is, I don't think I would have jumped in full-heartedly. Because if it wasn't the right thing for everybody, it wouldn't have been the right thing for me. So many things just became aligned.”

Fickell said his first months in Madison have surpassed his expectations.

More: Jim Harbaugh indifferent on moving Ohio State-Michigan rivalry game

Since Barry Alvarez's hiring in 1990 to revive a downtrodden program, the Badgers hadn't hired a coach that wasn't his disciple until Fickell. Under Alvarez, Bret Bielema and Paul Chryst, the Badgers had as fixed an identity as any team in the Big Ten. They would run the ball, pass only as often as necessary and have a defense that relied on discipline more than stars.

That formula finally became stale. Athletic director Chris McIntosh fired Chryst early last season.

Fickell was given a license for change, and he is making it.

“It's been different than what we're used to, most definitely,” running back Braelon Allen said. “It's been all good. It's great for the program, great for our school. I think it was what we needed. He's been a great leader for us, and we're just all excited to play for him.

“He's the same intense, fiery, energetic person every single day. No matter what we're doing, he always brings a fire to the meeting or practice.”

Schematically, Wisconsin will be different.

“You're going to notice off the bat that it's going to be more spread out,” Allen said. “We're all shotgun. We're not going to be under center. No fullback. It's crazy. But I've enjoyed it.”

Still, for those thinking Wisconsin is suddenly going to do a 180, that's not going to happen.

“It'll look different,” Fickell said. “There's no doubt. But it won't be as far from what it has been as it looks. We understand where our bread is buttered. We understand what it is we've got that are our strengths.”

Fickell said the transition has been easier because he didn't inherit a broken program. Though the Badgers have slipped in recent years, Wisconsin has had a winning record every year since 2002. The Badgers are favored to win the Big Ten West in a media poll.

One big test will come on Oct. 28 when Ohio State plays in Madison.

“I have not allowed myself to think about it,” Fickell said. “Obviously, I'm aware of who we play on Halloween (weekend). We'll be excited about it. But I also have to make sure we don't make this about something that it's not. For me and my program and our kids, I don't want to do that.

“I know there will be storylines. All I can say is that I hope we can be in position to make it as big a game as it can be. That's a driving force for me and for us.”

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former Ohio State player, coach Luke Fickell happy at Wisconsin