Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell is about as competitive as they come. But even the Badgers head coach can’t help but be complementary of one of his Big Ten rivals.
Since arriving in Iowa City, Kirk Ferentz has built one of the most steady programs in all of college football. Something that Fickell admired when speaking to reporters at B1G Media Day:
“I’ve studied Iowa for a long time,” Fickell explained. “From when I was a defensive guy, the way that they play defense, to the longevity that coaches had, to the way that [Kirk Ferentz] has done things with the type of kids and people that he’s had there… there’s not a bigger fan from the outside of all the things that he’s done.”
A must-listen for Hawkeye fans:
Luke Fickell says “there is no bigger fan” of Kirk Ferentz than him, and that he’s studied Iowa for a long time.
He also mentions his idol as a kid was Dan Gable and was “an Iowa guy” growing up.
Now, he and Kirk will go toe to toe every year. pic.twitter.com/sGcLibugVn
— Blake Hornstein (@BlakeHornTV) July 28, 2023
Fickell went on to recall the origin story for his appreciation of the Hawkeyes and how he’s now attempting to use it as an advantage in the storied rivalry.
“It kind of goes back to maybe as a young kid growing up as a little bit of an Iowa guy meaning that my idol was Dan Gable and being a wrestling guy that always kind of held that in a different esteem,” he said.
“So, I’ve always watched and studied from afar on all things that they’ve done. … That’s a part of me. People ask about knowing the Big Ten. I think that has a lot to do with it. When you know where a team’s come from and where they are, hopefully you’ve got a better grasp of who they are.”
Wisconsin and Iowa are scheduled to meet at Camp Randall on Oct. 14.