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LB Marcus Freeman (HC Notre Dame, Constant Backtracker)

Reported mutual interest, but not sure what happens if Mattison and Washington are confirmed. Would rather have Freeman

The Buckeyes and Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman also have mutual interest in a homecoming for the former standout linebacker, but any discussions between the two had previously been on hold pending the decisions for Day with the rest of the defensive staff.

https://lettermenrow.com/ohio-state-football/ohio-state-buckeyes-football-greg-schiano-billy-davis/
 
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https://theathletic.com/1089163/201...kell-family-dynamic-and-the-recruiting-trail/

...

Tell me about Coach Fickell. I know you guys go way back. When did you first meet him?

Probably my junior year in high school. He was coaching at Ohio State, his second year back there. He was still coaching special teams and defensive line or something like that. I met him there on visits. I knew who he was, just as a player, I knew the name. Then during my senior year of high school he came down and saw me play. His running joke is that he almost told the Ohio State coaches not to take me after he saw me play.

But when I came to Ohio State in January 2004, he was named linebackers coach because Mark Dantonio left to come here, so there was some shifting on the staff. From that moment on we just built a relationship. It started as coach-player. Then families — my oldest son is the same age as his oldest set of twins. His wife became close with my wife. And the relationship has grown, through time and intentional actions that he made starting when I was a player.

When you decided to get into coaching, was he someone you knew you wanted to coach with?

It’s funny, I didn’t know I wanted to get into coaching. I wanted to be an athletic director. I was a graduate assistant my senior year for Gene Smith at Ohio State and Pat Chun, who’s now the athletic director at Washington State. But when I couldn’t play anymore, I just called Coach Fick. We talked all the time when I was in the NFL, but I called him asking what I should do. I decided I didn’t want to go be an AD. I want to play, but I can’t play anymore — I think maybe I want to coach? He tried to talk me out of it, and I understand now why he tried to do that. But I was getting married right around then, so he told me to do that, go on my honeymoon, and then when I got back, he told me to be there at 6 a.m. the next day. So I showed up and started as a GA for him at Ohio State in 2010.

Then I went to Kent State and Purdue for a few seasons, and I needed that. I needed to get away to develop my own philosophy. We talked every week, every couple days, just to catch up, but I developed my own philosophy of who I am as a coach. And I always knew, the minute he became a head coach, that I was going with him.

So you were expecting the call when he got the Cincinnati job?

I was talking to him throughout the process. Our head coach at Purdue (Darrell Hazell) was let go during the season in 2016. So I told Fick that at some point I’m going to need a job, man. I know things are good at Ohio State, but you gotta take care of me. Well, he did.

I think it takes getting older to look back and realize how close you were to the things you learn. Growing up, my father was there and he taught me many lessons, but when I went to college, that 18-22 gap is when you go from a teenager to a man. And a lot of the things Fick taught me, and I’ve told him this — it isn’t always what you say, but just watching him. Watching him as a husband, a father. I see myself to this day doing a lot of similar things. Especially now that we’re always together and our families get together. He’s had a huge impact on me on and off the field.

...
 
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Damn. Nice pickup for LSU and good for Marcus. I was hoping he might still be down at UC whenever Matteson was ready to hang it up, but that was a pipe dream. Even if Marcus wants to come home, it’s going to be hard to top that kind of cash.

ND? Fucking ew.
 
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