Michigan State is currently undergoing a search for its next head coach, which has naturally led College Football Twitter to tracking every flight possible into and out of East Lansing, Michigan. On Sunday, the plane trackers and super sleuths followed the updates and whatever images could be uncovered of Michigan State Athletics Director Bill Beekman as he flew to and home from Cincinnati. The speculation is Michigan State is locking in on Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell. Fickell was set to interview with the Michigan State AD about the vacancy.
But images of Beekman returning to East Lansing suggest landing Fickell is not exactly imminent. Beekman’s plane returned home but Fickell was nowhere to be seen, unless he was just hiding in the overhead storage compartment.
Bill Beekman just landed. pic.twitter.com/dvbo7Hp6Up
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) February 9, 2020
BREAKING: Bill Beekman arrives back in Lansing, no Luke Fickell with him. @wilxTV #MSU pic.twitter.com/rt3fegl5SP
— Seth Wells (@SethWellsTV) February 9, 2020
Bill Beekman just arrived in Lansing. No Luke Fickell.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) February 9, 2020
If Michigan State did manage to get Fickell to agree to a contract, it would be pretty likely the Cincinnati coach would have been on the flight back to East Lansing. Of course, this is nothing but pure speculation and there is still a possibility Fickell will be the next head coach of the Spartans. So stay tuned.
On Saturday, Colorado head coach Mel Tucker took his name out of consideration for the job. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell (HERE) and Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi (HERE) have done the same as well. Fickell has long been considered one of the betting favorites to land the job.
Mark Dantonio resigned as head coach at Michigan State last week after 13 seasons as the head coach of the Spartans.