Tag: Bearcats Recruiting

Mike Bohn, Luke Fickell, and the Search Committee Has a Direction: The John Brannen Era Is Officially Underway!

April 14, 2019

Smoke is pouring from the tiny chimney perched atop Varsity Village, as the University of Cincinnati has chosen John Brannen to replace Mick Cronin as the men’s head basketball coach. The terms of the deal, reportedly, are six years for $1.5MM, with significant performance-based incentives.

His path to Clifton has been long and winding, including stops as far north as New York and south as Alabama. Here’s a quick look at Coach Brannen’s positions along the way:

    1999-2000: Assistant Coach, Charleston
    2001-2003: Assistant Coach, Eastern Kentucky
    2004-2006: Assistant Coach, St. Bonaventure
    2007-2009: Assistant Coach, VCU
    2010-2013: Assistant Coach, Alabama
    2014-2015: Associate Head Coach, Alabama
    2016-2019: Head Coach, Northern Kentucky

And now Head Coach of the University of Cincinnati (2019-?).

Brannen lives just across the Ohio River in Alexandria, Kentucky, having led NKU’s nascent D1 program to unforeseen successes. The Norse have made trips to the NCAA Tournament in two out of the last three seasons from the Horizon League. While impressive, it’ll be interesting to see whether his previous successes translate in an increasingly-competitive American Athletic Conference. Moreover, what kind of success will he have at recruiting top-tier talent with a C Paw on his quarter zip?

Mike Bohn’s decision to hire John Brannen marks the end of the Bob Huggins coaching tree era for the men’s basketball program. Because of that, I expect a significant shift in offensive/defensive/recruiting philosophies under the new coaching administration. Fox19’s Joe Danneman interviewed one of Brannen’s recent stars at NKU, Drew McDonald. McDonald had this to say of his former coach: “He’s going to play fast. He used the term ’94-feet both ways.'” Will a change in coaching guard pay off?

As with any coaching change, Brannen will have his hands full. He has to work to make sure existing scorers (like rising senior Jarron Cumberland and Junior Keith Williams) don’t depart. What’s more, Coach Brannen needs to lock down UC’s 2019 star recruit, SG Samari Curtis. Rashawn Fredericks has already announced his plans to enter the transfer portal; however, he was far from the most productive player last season. Will UC lose any more players? Will Cumberland return for his senior season?

One interesting wrinkle in the process is that none-other-than Head Football Coach Luke Fickell participated in the hiring process. Much like Fickell’s recruitment of UC’s Baseball Coach Scott Googins from Xavier, Fickell reportedly interviewed Coach Brannen prior to Mike Bohn making the hire. Clearly that speaks volumes about Bohn’s trust and respect for the head football coach.

A press conference for Coach Brannen’s introduction has been scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 AM. With many candidates rumored to be involved, and many alumni (and former players) lobbying for their preference, the University of Cincinnati has settled on a direction forward. With smoke billowing, I am excited to meet the new coach and to see what he can do with the Bearcats.

By Brian Fox

For more real-time coverage of the Bearcats, food takes, and dad jokes, follow along on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.

Mick Cronin Bolts to UCLA

April 9, 2019

If you don’t know, now you know…

Mick Cronin has departed Clifton (and his alma mater) for Westwood, CA, accepting the head coaching position at UCLA. The deal is reportedly for $24MM over the next six years, approximately $4MM a year for my mathematically-deficient readers. His current contract, which Cronin sought to renegotiate, was for $2.2MM a year and would’ve increased if UC’s and Cronin’s camp could’ve come to terms. They did not and the rest is recent history.

When you consider California’s taxing framework, Cronin’s after-tax, net take-home base compensation will only increase by $103K at UCLA. And that’s based on his current contract (not the renegotiated extension that never came to pass). Why weren’t the parties able to arrive at a number that worked for both the University and Coach Cronin? Well, I expect each camp has very fixed and divergent answers to that question.

Obviously, it’s still fresh, so here are my early thoughts on Cronin’s departure:

  1. Kudos to Coach Cronin for taking the program to 9 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He was a stable guardian of the program for 13 years. He invested in the personal lives and futures of his players. He ran a clean program, which has steered clear of FBI investigations. So, I’m grateful for his many contributions and wish him only success at UCLA.
  2. Many are sounding the alarm that all is lost without Cronin; some quite the opposite. The Mick Mafia is declaring universal defeat and casting aspersions on the University. The Anti-Mick-Ers are declaring victory over March tournaments to come. Neither can be correct; such speculation is premature. Mike Bohn, now, must make one of the most important decisions he’s faced as an athletic director and only time will tell whether we upgraded.
  3. Fundamentally, I believe Mick Cronin’s disgruntled view of UC’s administration, particularly the department of athletics, leaked out in many public comment opportunities. And I think that takes a toll on a fanbase, and program (including recruiting), over time. If you’re not personally optimistic about your school, it’s illogical to expect players, recruits, and donors to be convinced. In other words, if you’re not in love with the University and program you’re building, others won’t fall in love with it, either. Hopefully Coach Cronin has found an employer in UCLA he believes in, and hopefully his successor at UC can sell a new vision forward.
  4. Likewise, Cronin’s tendency to foment outrage over the NCAA’s supposed collusion against UC in March, or provide safe harbor to theories that conference is overly determinative in recruiting, was unhelpful. I think those tendencies can be self-defeating for a program and players. Not to get all woo woo, but some leaders are thermometers, simply reflecting the temperature around them; some are thermostats and determine the climate.
  5. Finally, the sunshine and warmth have finally arrived in the Queen City! Go outside. Inhale the air. Get off Twitter and my website. Watch the UC baseball team take on Xavier this evening in Clifton.

Much love to all of you in BearcatNation. The University and Mike Bohn will find the right candidate. To everything there is a season…

By Brian Fox

For more real-time coverage of the Bearcats, food takes, and dad jokes, follow along on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.

Dylan O’Quinn – Small Town Guy, Big Time Lineman

April 5, 2019

Number 50 Dylan O’Quinn played quarterback and tight end in high school. A talented athlete from rural Millbury, Ohio, where I actually grew up, O’Quinn is used to country roads, pickup trucks, and cornfields. He played baseball and basketball, as well, at Lake High School. He chose UC over offers from Western Michigan, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and Indiana State. O’Quinn was the only member of his 2018 high school graduating class to earn a division 1 college scholarship.

O’Quinn was recruited by Doug Phillips and immediately fell in love with the big city straight down I-75. He landed in Clifton at 6’ 4” and 307 lbs. A mountain of a man, Dylan will anchor the offensive line this year as a freshman.

In his spare time, he loves to spend time with his friends, play basketball and whiffle ball, and grill out. He is majoring in communications with a minor in sports administration. After college, Dylan is interested in getting involved with high school coaching and athletic directing.

A big fan of Skyline, Dylan’s go-to order is a four-way with onions and three cheese coneys. He makes up the other half of J&D Food Review. Be sure to check them out on Twitter @JDsizzleyum as they will soon be releasing their Skyline vs. Gold Star challenge.

By Andy Smith

For more real-time UC sports updates, be sure to follow Andy on Twitter: @BSR_Andy; or, if you’re into pictures, feel free to add Bearcats Sports Radio on Instagram. As always, thanks for reading along.

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Tight Ends: Food Critic and La Salle Product Josh Whyle

March 29, 2019

Standing at 6’ 7” and 233 lbs., redshirt freshman tight end Josh Whyle is built to play football. During practice today he literally ran over two defensive backs after catching a short pass. His mother wanted a UC football jersey before Josh came to campus. She got a #81 jersey, and he’s been stuck with the number ever since.

Having fractured his collarbone last year during practice, Whyle was hampered and had to sit out most of the season, playing four games. His favorite memories last year include the opening kickoff of the UCF game in the Bounce House and winning the Military Bowl against Virginia Tech.

Josh was a top-10 tight end in his recruiting class. He could have played at Auburn, Georgia, Louisville, Tennessee, or Wisconsin. He chose to stay local. A product of La Salle High School, Josh had a stellar high school career. Located just 10 minutes away from Clifton, linebacker Jarell White also attended La Salle.

Whyle also has an older brother at UC. His entire family can watch Josh play his college games, and he can still make it home for dinner with the parents whenever he wants. In his words, “UC is in his backyard” and “the coaches truly care about his development.” The Bearcats are certainly happy to have him – one of the stars of his recruiting class.

He has yet to declare a major, though he’s toying with the idea of communications or criminal justice. Whyle has a 3.5 GPA. Nothing but A’s and B’s in the class room for this guy. Josh is very close with the tight end position group on and off the field.

In his spare time, Josh enjoys co-hosting J&D Food Review. Be sure to follow @JDsizzleyum on Twitter. Guy Fieri watch out. Whyle is of course a Skyline guy. His go-to order is a large three way, a chilito with spaghetti, and a cheese coney. He is also a fan of fishing, playing cornhole, skiing, and snowboarding.

The tight end group this year is absolutely stacked. Behind starter Josiah Deguara, we should see plenty of #81 Josh Whyle on special teams and offense. Also, don’t be surprised if you see a proud mom wearing the same number on Nippert’s bleachers.

By Andy Smith

For more real-time UC sports updates, be sure to follow Andy on Twitter: @BSR_Andy; or, if you’re into pictures, feel free to add Bearcats Sports Radio on Instagram. As always, thanks for reading along.

On Gratitude

December 11, 2018

Gratitude is a muscle; the more you flex it, the easier it becomes to be grateful. Negativity and pessimism are no different. The more negative you are, well you get it…

It’s interesting how often people choose pessimism, especially when the benefits of gratitude are so numerous. A steady diet of gratitude:

  • Improves physical health;
  • Improves psychological health;
  • Enhances empathy and reduces aggression;
  • Helps you sleep more deeply and for longer periods of time; and
  • Improves self esteem and increases mental strength.

Don’t believe me? Read this and the linked studies. Now that I’ve hard-sold gratitude, allow me a few more paragraphs of your attention to apply it to our beloved Bearcats.

Coming into this football season, it was unclear whether Coach Luke Fickell had made any progress with the team since taking over. The 2016 Bearcats stumbled through Tommy Tuberville’s last season and finished 4-8. Likewise, the 2017 Bearcats, Fickell’s first season, showed little promise. Though the team finished 4-8, a few of those wins were a play away from being losses (for what could’ve been a catastrophic 1-11 season). Privately, I worried the team regressed his first year.

Everything Fickell said was fine. It sounded like the things a new leader might say, even if it bordered on stereotypical coach-speak (i.e., Toughness, #JUICE, Let It Fly, and Together Everyone Achieves More). Fickell went the extra step of having one of his mottos – T.E.A.M. – stitched across the back of each of his UC vests. But mottos weren’t winning football games in 2017.

In 2018, the mottos were an overtime-road-loss-against-Temple away from winning eleven games. Fickell’s mottos brainwashed the players into outperforming expectations, including mine. In early August at Camp Higher Ground, I would’ve been thrilled with six or more wins. Thrilled. Now, in December I am hammered drunk off a ten win regular season, and I’m considering having “T.E.A.M.” stitched across the back of all my suit coats.

On New Year’s Eve, the 10-2 Bearcats will try to polish off an outstanding 2018 campaign by beating Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. The game is played in Annapolis, Maryland, which is a mere five hour drive from Tech’s Blacksburg, Virginia campus. While it sets up as a home game for the Hokies, I like UC’s chances to prevail in that game and to carry forward this season’s success into the offseason.

When I traveled to Los Angeles for the season opener against UCLA, I harbored low expectations. To now venture into bowl season in pursuit of an eleventh win, I’m feeling almost greedy. And overwhelmingly grateful.

One of the disciplines I’ve tried to incorporate into my daily rituals is to jot down a few things I’m grateful for just before I go to sleep. I keep a disheveled stack of notepads on my bedside table which basically form something of a gratitude journal. Alongside references to warm thoughts of family, friends, clients, and career you’ll find notations about a Bearcats team that made fall Saturdays fun and a coach who inspires. Thanks for reading.

By Brian Fox

For more, follow B. Fox on Twitter @BearcatsRadio.

Coming Home

October 10, 2018

A “home” is more than a house, yard, or structure; it’s a feeling. And your experience of “coming home” is indelibly shaped by the other people who share that common address.

If you had a good childhood, arriving home was probably an experience. The smell of food simmering on the stove. The sound of a yappy dog. The mess of your bedroom. Depending on the number of siblings, your arrival home was either calm or chaotic.

If you had a bad childhood, arriving home was an altogether different experience. Maybe your arrival was marked by the sounds of argument, stomach knots from anxiety and tension, or worse yet – the haunting sounds of silence and isolation. If that was your experience with “home,” I offer my sincerest apologies and wishes for a more functional future.

As you know, Saturday’s matchup against Tulane was this season’s Homecoming game. UC alums from across the nation traveled back to their Clifton roots, recalling what “coming home” meant at 18 years of age. The not-so-hypnotic lava lamp on a card table. Animal House poster above the decaying fireplace. Stale beer and dirty dishes marinating in the kitchen. No doubt folks reminisced about old dorms, old bars, and old friends.

You see, home looks different in Clifton than it did 30, 20, 10, or even one year ago. And the mood on UC’s 199 year old campus feels different than last season. Way different.

To appreciate how different, I offer up a dysfunctional recollection. On October 1, 2016, the Bearcats faced USF under Nippert’s lights as the fan base was tiring of the revolving door of quarterbacks. Ross Trail, a 2015 quarterback recruit who chose UC over Louisville, Memphis, and Ohio State, threw three interceptions that night. After the young QB tossed his third, he was showered in boos, mercilessly. Some defended themselves and said they were merely booing the coaches. Regardless, so much for “home” field advantage…

Candidly I think the fan base is still recovering from 2016 Nippert lows, exercising a measure of restraint even still. Again, home is less about facts and more about feels. Sometimes even after a house has been made over, woes outpace wins…memories overpower merriment. This is especially so in a history-rich city like Cincinnati. “I hope Coach Fickell can get them turned around, but that last coach….”

Well, the turnaround appears self-evidently underway. Compared to the on-field dysfunction of 2016, Fickell’s team of coaches seems squared away. Compared to last year’s 4-8 team, this 2018 team is a revelation. UC is 6-0 headed into the bye week this week, and a cadre of young players lead the way.

RS Freshman QB Desmond Ridder has already thrown for over 1,000 yards (82 of 125 for 1,062 yards), 10 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions. Ridder has also rushed for 315 yards, adding 4 more touchdowns with his legs.

Speaking of running the ball, Sophomore RB Michael Warren II has 124 carries for 664 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s the first running back since Isaiah Pead to rush for over a 100 yards in three consecutive games.

More than wins and statistics, though, football is fun again. The positivity and support for the Bearcats on Saturday, inside Nippert Stadium and out, is returning. The momentum (and joy) I observed in 2009 hasn’t returned just yet, but the energy is finally building around a UC team once again ranked in the Top 25 in both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll.

For those of you who made it back to Nippert Stadium for Homecoming on Saturday, I hope it felt like you were “coming home.” I hope you relived past stories and connected with old friends. But way more than that, I hope you caught a glimpse of what might be returning to the University of Cincinnati – a football program inching its way back to national prominence, a football program that desperately needs your positive energy going forward.

So go ahead and mark your calendars for the Navy game (November 3rd), #23 ranked USF (November 10th), and the home finale against ECU (November 23rd). Come home; let’s make Nippert the best place for our guys to play and the worst place for opponents.

By Brian Fox

Unleashing The Freak – #32 James Wiggins

September 19, 2018

Listed at 6-foot and 200 lbs. on the depth chart, this simply does not do safety James Wiggins justice.  Originally committed to the University of Miami, James Wiggins, a.k.a. Wig, a.k.a. the Freak wanted to escape Florida, having been there his entire life.  Thankfully for us UC fans, he wound up far, far way here in Clifton.

Coach Steve Clinkscale was responsible for recruiting Wiggins to UC. Coming out of high school in Homestead, Florida, Wig was listed as the #13 cornerback in Florida.  He turned down offers from Miami (FL), Louisville, and UCF, among others, to join the Bearcats.

Wiggins wears #32. Although his number is #6, Perry Young will not be giving up his jersey anytime soon.

The Freak is just built different.  You can see it on gamedays.  You can see it almost anywhere.  Standing on the sidelines at practice on this humid Tuesday afternoon in September, James looks as if the Greek Gods themselves chiseled his body out of stone.  No, Brady Collins does not force 12 protein shakes down his throat every day, Wiggins simply has always been this way.  A winner of some mighty fine genetics, both of his parents were successful athletes.  His dad, a football player, and his mother, a track star, both in the talent-rich Miami area.

So how did Wiggins earn the nickname Freak?  Well, Coach Collins witnessed in awe as James squatted 455 pounds (13 times, mind you) during an early squat day.  The rest is history, so they say.  Just a small glimpse of his raw talent and power, during the Miami (OH) game this year, Wiggins crushed a ballcarrier.  Not targeting.  Not unsportsmanlike conduct.  Just a grown a$$ man play.  And it was fun to watch as a fan.

The Freak had a pivotal pick against UCLA.  He has 14 tackles, two pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and a few special teams returns on the season through three games.  The UC secondary is fun to watch again, and the Freak is a big reason why.

A fan of cheeseburgers, Chinese food, and everything in between, Wiggins loves to eat.  A criminal justice major, James is enjoying school.  All smiles all the time – he doesn’t have any fears.  I guess I wouldn’t either if I could bench 405 lbs. and crush human skulls.

By Andy Smith

The Punter From Down Under – #37 James Smith

September 19, 2018

A First-Team All-ACC selection as a true freshman, left-footed sophomore James Smith is no stranger to success.

Prior to his arrival in Clifton, Smith played professional Australian football – and played it quite well.  A member of the Wangaratta Rovers since 2013, James eventually trained for 16 months at Prokick Australia to earn a scholarship to play NCAA Division 1 football.  He would travel over three hours four times a week to train and learn the American game.  A small indicator of James’ work-ethic, the training paid off, earning him a spot on the Bearcats in 2017 as a 23-year-old freshman.

Traveling 9,683 miles across the world from Wangaratta, Australia, to start a new life is no small task.  James is handling the transition with ease.  Having earned a 4.0 last semester, Smith is an all-star on the field and in the classroom.  Smith would love to get into the digital media world, and he looks up to Dan Hoard and Tony Pike.

His family attended the UCLA game in Pasadena, California, and stuck around for the last two weeks to watch the Bearcats earn wins against Miami (OH) and Alabama A&M as well.  While Mike Warren was the popular vote for MVP of the Miami game, behind Smith’s steady leg, the Redhawks were always pinned back deep in their own territory.  Smith averaged 46 yards on eight punts in a torrential downpour, resulting in Miami being unable to put any points on the board.  Indeed, three of his punts landed inside the 20-yard-line.

The sure-footed and reliable punter earned a spot on the Ray Guy Award Watch List.  This season, the 6’ 5” and 225 lb. Smith is averaging 45 yards a punt, with nine of his 18 punts landing inside the 20.  He is no longer sporting the long hair either.

A huge fan of water sports, James enjoys wakeboarding.  He is also a huge fan of our very own Skyline Chili and the homey atmosphere surrounding Cincinnati.

Lastly, Smith recommends everyone visit the East Coast of Australia, including the barrier reefs.

By Andy Smith

#14 Cameron Jefferies – A Prodigy at Corner and in the Classroom

September 6, 2018

A new name to the football squad this year is Cameron Jefferies.  He spent his first two seasons up north at Bowling Green State University, where he was coached by Mike Mickens.  In only two years at BGSU, Cam earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and supply chain management while also starting at corner for the Falcons on an opportunistic secondary.  In his words, “he learned a lot” and “enjoyed the experience at Bowling Green.”

Last year Mike Mickens left BG to take the same coaching position here in Clifton at his alma mater, and Jefferies followed suit.  As a grad transfer student, he decided to transfer to UC and play immediately this season and next year.  With a need for cornerbacks, the three-and-a-half-hour drive down I-75 South was a perfect fit for #14.

Like Cameron, I also graduated from BGSU in two years.  We reminisced about the BG campus located in the middle of a cornfield. Only a Walmart, a Meijer’s, and a handful of restaurants in sight.  If you want a new pair of pants, enjoy driving 30 minutes away to the closest mall in Toledo.  Needless to say, the change from rural BGSU to a vibrant, bustling UC campus was much-needed for both of us.  I enrolled at UC Law School.  Cam enrolled in a master’s program to earn another marketing degree.

You may be wondering how Cam was able to graduate college so quickly.  Any high school student in Ohio, including those at the Cleveland area school Riverside High School where Cam attended, can enroll in post-secondary.  This means Cam was able to attend college classes at a local college and earn college credit free of charge.  Jefferies enrolled part-time his junior year and transitioned to full-time his senior year.

He ended up accumulating over 30 hours of college credit before graduating high school. All of this on top of lettering in football, basketball, and track.  Cam played numerous positions on offense and defense and earned a three-star recruit ranking.

While other kids were busy playing Candy Crush and liking pictures on Instagram, Cam had a full plate of academics and athletics. Naturally, he continued working tremendously hard in college.  Playing D1 football in and of itself is a full-time job.  But Cam also took over 18 credit hours of classes, including a final 21-credit hour summer session to quickly exit BGSU and earn his degree.

Cam is not wasting any time.  He may potentially earn three degrees before his college eligibility ends.  He still finds time to hangout with his teammates and play Madden and watch movies somehow.  Jefferies really hasn’t had a chance to experience all of the restaurants around town, having just finished three weeks of Camp Higher Ground after arriving to Clifton.

Cam played in the UCLA season opener and racked up three tackles.  His first time in California, he relished the experience of a lifetime playing in the Rose Bowl.  “We want rings,” he said in response when asked about season goals.

We are still waiting on his opinion of Skyline. However, suffice it to say, Jefferies is and will continue to be a highly successful person both in the classroom and on the football field.

By Andy Smith

Another Medaris – Another UC Speedster Wide Receiver

August 28, 2018

Junior wide receiver Rashad Medaris wears #17 on his jersey.  He is the younger brother of Anthony McClung, who played receiver at UC from 2010 to 2014.  McClung also went on to play in the NFL and CFL.  Fun fact – he and Zach Collaros played together in Canada for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  McClung also wore #17 his first year in Clifton.

Much like McClung, Medaris is a small, compact speedster.  At 5’ 11” and 182 lbs., Rashad can fly.  He played football, basketball, baseball, and track and field in highs school.

Rashad grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He attended one semester at Western Illinois before capitalizing on the mass exodus of UC wide receivers after 2015.  Who can forget that group, including six seniors, Shaq Washington (Head Coach of Maple Heights), Chris Moore (still in NFL), Mekale McKay (still in NFL), Johnny Holton (still in NFL), Alex Chism (played in NFL), and Max Morrison.  This will in all likelihood go down as the best group of Cincinnati wide receivers in history.

“It just felt right to come here,” according to Medaris.  His whole family was already familiar with the campus and driving to games at Nippert Stadium.

Due to the transfer rule, Medaris sat out in 2016.  In 2017, he played in the first five games on special teams and at wideout before suffering a season-ending lateral meniscus tear during the UCF game, requiring surgery and rehabilitation.  Rashad is now 100% recovered and ready to play again.

This year we can expect him to pick up right where he left off, slated as a starting wide receiver.  As Rashad indicated during our interview, Coach Fick wants everyone to play multiple positions, so he will continue his role on special teams.

Rashad is a Sports Administration major.  He will earn his degree next fall during his final year of eligibility.  He also told us his brother is back home in Indiana, soon to be a firefighter.  Rashad comes from a close family and his whole family comes to Clifton on game days – just an hour and 45-minute drive away.

Medaris is excited to play in the UCLA game and go to California for the first time.

He describes himself as a very chill person.  In his free time, you can catch him playing first-person shooter video games like Call of Duty and Fortnite on PS4.  He also loves eating at Qdoba.

By Andy Smith