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Quizzes > Sports > Football/Soccer

Cincinnati Bearcats Football Quiz: Coaching Staff and More

Think you know the Cincinnati Bearcats coaching staff? Dive in and prove it!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art showing coaches play diagrams football icons scoreboard on dark blue for Cincinnati Bearcats history quiz

Calling all Bearcats faithful! Dive into the definitive cincinnati bearcat football coaching staff challenge and see if you can name every play-caller and sideline strategist. This cincinnati bearcats football trivia quiz will test your knowledge of coaching lineups, winning seasons, and take you through our cincinnati bearcats record performances quiz highlights. If you love bearcats football history quiz lore and bearcats coaching trivia, you're in the right place. Need a warm-up? Try a quick college football trivia quiz or brush up with fun cincinnati trivia questions . Ready to command the huddle? Jump in now and prove you've got the playbook memorized!

Who is the current head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats football team?
Scott Satterfield
Brian Kelly
Luke Fickell
Tommy Tuberville
Scott Satterfield was hired as Cincinnati's head coach in December 2023 after a successful tenure at Louisville. He is tasked with guiding the Bearcats as they transition to the Big 12 Conference. Satterfield brings extensive experience and a proven track record of offensive innovation. More on Scott Satterfield
Who was the head coach of the Bearcats immediately before Luke Fickell?
Butch Jones
Tommy Tuberville
Rick Minter
Brian Kelly
Tommy Tuberville served as Cincinnati’s head coach from 2013 to 2016, compiling a 34-27 record before departing for Auburn. His tenure included an appearance in the 2016 Military Bowl. He was succeeded by Luke Fickell in December 2016. More on Tommy Tuberville
Which coach led the Bearcats to their first-ever Sugar Bowl appearance?
Luke Fickell
Brian Kelly
Rick Minter
Tommy Tuberville
Brian Kelly guided Cincinnati to the 2010 Sugar Bowl after winning the Big East title in 2009. This marked the program's first appearance in a BCS bowl game. Kelly’s 2009 Bearcats finished with a 12–1 record. More on the 2010 Sugar Bowl
Who has served as the defensive coordinator under Luke Fickell?
Jeff Quinn
Mike Denbrock
Kerry Coombs
Tim Walton
Kerry Coombs joined Luke Fickell’s staff in 2017 as the defensive coordinator, bringing a background from Ohio State. He implemented an aggressive, turnover-driven defense. Coombs was instrumental in Cincinnati’s recent defensive success. More on Kerry Coombs
Which former Cincinnati head coach went on to coach at Notre Dame?
Luke Fickell
Tommy Tuberville
Brian Kelly
Butch Jones
After compiling a 34–6 record at Cincinnati, Brian Kelly was hired as Notre Dame’s head coach in December 2009. He continued his high level of success in South Bend. Kelly’s move was driven by his consistent winning and bowl performances. More on Brian Kelly
Who was Cincinnati’s head coach during the 2015 Birmingham Bowl?
Luke Fickell
Rick Minter
Tommy Tuberville
Butch Jones
Tommy Tuberville led the Bearcats in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl following the 2015 season. Cincinnati won that game 31–6 over Auburn. This bowl appearance was part of Tuberville’s four-year tenure. More on the 2015 Birmingham Bowl
Which coach took the Bearcats to the 2021 College Football Playoff semifinal?
Butch Jones
Luke Fickell
Brian Kelly
Tommy Tuberville
Luke Fickell guided Cincinnati to its first-ever College Football Playoff semifinal in the 2021 season, where they faced Alabama in the Cotton Bowl. This achievement made them the first Group of Five program to reach the CFP. Fickell’s leadership was widely praised. More on Cincinnati’s CFP run
Which coach served at Cincinnati from 1994 to 2003 and led the team to multiple bowl games?
Rick Minter
Brian Kelly
Butch Jones
Luke Fickell
Rick Minter was Cincinnati’s head coach from 1994 to 2003, achieving three bowl appearances in that span. He compiled a 41–63 record and remains one of the program’s longest-tenured coaches. Minter laid foundations for later success in the Big East era. More on Rick Minter
Which Cincinnati assistant coach played quarterback for the Bearcats before joining the staff?
Gino Guidugli
Jeff Quinn
Mike Denbrock
Kerry Coombs
Gino Guidugli was a standout quarterback at Cincinnati from 2000–2003 before returning as an assistant coach in 2017. He has worked with quarterbacks and wide receivers under Luke Fickell. Guidugli’s playing experience at UC lends credibility with current players. More on Gino Guidugli
Which coach is commonly referred to by the nickname “Butch”?
Rick Minter
Butch Jones
Tommy Tuberville
Brian Kelly
Butch Jones, whose full name is John Parker Jones, was Cincinnati’s head coach from 2010 to 2012. He guided the Bearcats to a share of the Big East title in 2011. Jones’s nickname is widely used in media and broadcasts. More on Butch Jones
Who served as the offensive coordinator under Brian Kelly at Cincinnati?
Jeff Quinn
Tim Walton
Mike Denbrock
Kerry Coombs
Jeff Quinn was Brian Kelly’s offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2009, helping engineer high-scoring offenses. He left Cincinnati to become Notre Dame’s OC when Kelly was hired there. Quinn’s tenure is noted for prolific passing attacks. More on Jeff Quinn
Which Cincinnati coach was the first in program history to earn a Big East Coach of the Year award?
Rick Minter
Butch Jones
Brian Kelly
Tommy Tuberville
Brian Kelly was named Big East Coach of the Year in 2008 after leading the Bearcats to a 7–1 conference record. This was the first time a UC coach received that honor. His award reflected a turnaround from past struggles. More on Kelly’s award
Under which coach did Cincinnati achieve its first 11-win season?
Brian Kelly
Tommy Tuberville
Luke Fickell
Rick Minter
Luke Fickell led Cincinnati to an 11–1 record in the 2020 season, marking the program’s first-ever 11-win campaign. The Bearcats won the AAC and the Peach Bowl that year. This breakthrough elevated Cincinnati into national championship consideration. More on the 2020 season
Who served as defensive coordinator under Brian Kelly at Cincinnati?
Tim Walton
Kerry Coombs
Mike Denbrock
Jeff Quinn
Tim Walton was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2009 under Brian Kelly. He helped craft strong defenses that contributed to the Bearcats’ BCS bowl bids. Walton left to coach in the NFL afterward. More on Tim Walton
Which former Cincinnati head coach later led the Tennessee Volunteers football program?
Brian Kelly
Butch Jones
Tommy Tuberville
Luke Fickell
Butch Jones was hired as Tennessee’s head coach in December 2012 after winning a share of the Big East at Cincinnati. He served at Tennessee until 2017. His success at UC made him an attractive candidate for the SEC job. More on Butch Jones at Tennessee
What role did Gino Guidugli fill when he rejoined the Bearcats coaching staff under Luke Fickell?
Quarterbacks coach
Running backs coach
Defensive backs coach
Tight ends coach
Gino Guidugli returned to Cincinnati in 2017 as the quarterbacks coach under Luke Fickell. He later added passing game coordinator duties. Guidugli’s playing experience at UC has been valuable in developing the Bearcats’ offenses. More on Guidugli’s role
Before joining Cincinnati’s staff, Kerry Coombs held which coordinator role at Ohio State?
Offensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
Special teams coordinator
Strength and conditioning coordinator
Kerry Coombs was Ohio State’s special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach before being hired by Cincinnati in 2017. His work with special teams at OSU earned national recognition. Coombs brought that expertise to the Bearcats’ coaching staff. More on Coombs at Ohio State
Who was the offensive coordinator during Cincinnati’s 2021 College Football Playoff run?
Jeff Quinn
Mike Denbrock
Tim Walton
Kerry Coombs
Mike Denbrock served as Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator in 2021, guiding a high-powered attack that helped the Bearcats reach the College Football Playoff. He was recognized for play-calling and quarterback development. Denbrock’s offense averaged over 40 points per game that season. More on Mike Denbrock
Who succeeded Kerry Coombs as defensive coordinator in 2019?
Marcus Freeman
Tim Walton
Jeff Quinn
Mike Denbrock
Marcus Freeman was promoted to defensive coordinator in January 2019 after Kerry Coombs left to return to Ohio State. Freeman’s leadership on defense contributed to Cincinnati’s rise in national rankings. He later became Notre Dame’s head coach. More on Marcus Freeman
Which coach served as Cincinnati’s running backs coach under Luke Fickell?
Jacoby Windmon
Gino Guidugli
Jeff Quinn
Tim Walton
Jacoby Windmon was hired in 2018 as the running backs coach for Cincinnati under Luke Fickell. He helped develop C.J. Avery into a 1,000-yard rusher. Windmon’s work in the backfield contributed to balanced offensive attack. More on Jacoby Windmon
What was Brian Kelly's overall win-loss record during his tenure at Cincinnati?
34–6
32–8
30–10
36–4
Brian Kelly compiled a 34–6 overall record from 2007–2009 at Cincinnati. His teams won consecutive Big East titles in 2008 and 2009. Kelly’s winning percentage remains one of the highest in program history. More on Kelly’s record
What was Luke Fickell’s conference record in the American Athletic Conference from 2017 through 2022?
29–11
31–9
27–13
25–15
Luke Fickell posted a 29–11 conference record in the AAC from 2017 to 2022. His teams won three conference titles in that span. Fickell’s leadership in league play was a key factor in national rankings. More on Fickell’s AAC record
In which year did Tommy Tuberville earn AAC Coach of the Year while at Cincinnati?
2013
2014
2015
2016
Tommy Tuberville was named AAC Coach of the Year in 2013 after leading Cincinnati to a 9–4 season and a BBVA Compass Bowl victory. This award recognized his immediate impact on the program. Tuberville’s first year at UC is still regarded as one of the best coaching debuts in school history. More on the award
Which bowl game did Rick Minter lead the Bearcats to in 2001?
Motor City Bowl
Liberty Bowl
Arizona Bowl
Peach Bowl
Rick Minter’s 2001 Bearcats team appeared in the Motor City Bowl, defeating Toledo 23–16. It was Cincinnati’s first bowl appearance since 1997. Minter’s bowl visits helped raise the profile of the program in the early 2000s. More on the 2001 Motor City Bowl
Under which coach did Cincinnati finish first in conference play in 2011?
Butch Jones
Brian Kelly
Tommy Tuberville
Rick Minter
Butch Jones led Cincinnati to a share of the Big East title in 2011, marking the program’s first conference championship since 2008. The Bearcats finished 10–3 that season. Jones’s leadership in his second year at UC was widely celebrated. More on the 2011 season
What position group did Gino Guidugli coach upon his return to Cincinnati in 2017?
Quarterbacks
Wide receivers
Running backs
Tight ends
When Gino Guidugli returned in 2017, he was named quarterbacks coach under Luke Fickell. He also later took on the role of passing game coordinator. Guidugli’s experience as a former UC quarterback proved valuable in developing the team’s QBs. More on Guidugli’s duties
What primary defensive scheme has Luke Fickell employed at Cincinnati?
4–3
3–4
4–2–5
3–3–5
Luke Fickell’s defenses at Cincinnati have primarily utilized a 4–2–5 scheme, which emphasizes speed and nickel personnel. This approach helped the Bearcats generate turnovers and rank among national leaders in pass defense. The 4–2–5 has been a hallmark of Fickell’s defensive identity. More on the 4–2–5 defense
Which coach introduced the modern spread offense to Cincinnati in 2007?
Brian Kelly
Tommy Tuberville
Luke Fickell
Rick Minter
Brian Kelly implemented a modern spread offense when he arrived in 2007, transforming Cincinnati’s attack into one of the nation’s most prolific passing units. His scheme set multiple school passing records. This shift laid groundwork for future offensive success. More on the offensive change
In what year did Cincinnati football join the Big East Conference?
2005
2003
2007
2001
Cincinnati began Big East football play in 2005, joining head coach Rick Minter’s program in a major conference shift. The Bearcats competed in the Big East until the conference realignment in 2013. This move elevated the program’s national profile. More on the Big East era
Which coach holds a perfect bowl game winning percentage at Cincinnati (2–0)?
Brian Kelly
Tommy Tuberville
Luke Fickell
Rick Minter
Brian Kelly won both of his bowl appearances at Cincinnati (2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl and 2010 Sugar Bowl), giving him a perfect 2–0 bowl record. No other UC coach with multiple bowls has matched that winning percentage. Kelly’s bowl success helped boost the program’s postseason reputation. More on Bearcats bowl history
Which Cincinnati defensive backs coach in 1990 later became a longtime NFL head coach?
Mike Zimmer
Ray Horton
Chuck Noll
Tony Dungy
Mike Zimmer served as the Cincinnati Bearcats’ defensive backs coach in 1990 before embarking on a 29-year NFL coaching career, culminating as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021. His UC stint was an early step on his professional coaching path. Zimmer’s defensive expertise dates back to those foundational years. More on Mike Zimmer
In what year did Kerry Coombs depart Cincinnati to rejoin the Ohio State coaching staff?
2019
2018
2020
2017
Kerry Coombs left Cincinnati in January 2019 to return to Ohio State as their defensive backs coach. His decision came after two seasons as the Bearcats’ defensive coordinator. Coombs has continued to advance Ohio State’s secondary since rejoining in 2019. More on Coombs’s return
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Legendary Coaches -

    After completing the quiz, you will be able to identify key members of the cincinnati bearcat football coaching staff and summarize their major achievements and contributions.

  2. Analyze Game Strategies -

    You will assess pivotal play-calling and coaching decisions featured in this cincinnati bearcats football trivia quiz to understand how they influenced critical match outcomes.

  3. Identify Record-Setting Seasons -

    Participants will recognize standout seasons and statistical performances through the cincinnati bearcats record performances quiz, highlighting when the program broke school records.

  4. Compare Coaching Tenures -

    Engage in the bearcats football history quiz to contrast different coaching eras, noting changes in team performance, style of play, and program direction.

  5. Evaluate Program Milestones -

    You will evaluate significant milestones, such as conference championships and bowl game appearances, and understand their lasting impact on the Bearcats football legacy.

  6. Navigate Coaching Staff Changes -

    Through focused bearcats coaching trivia, you will map out staff changes over the years and discuss how leadership transitions shaped team development.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Evolution of Head Coaches -

    Since its first season in 1885, Cincinnati has had 27 head coaches, reflecting distinct eras of growth. The official UC Bearcats archives (gobearcats.com) document shifts in leadership and team philosophy by decade. A simple mnemonic - "18”85, 86 revival, '07 rise" - helps recall founding, 1986 turnaround, and 2007 conference title.

  2. Sid Gillman's Aerial Innovation -

    Hall of Famer Sid Gillman (1954 - 1959) introduced a pass”heavy offense, earning the nickname "father of modern passing" (NCAA Hall of Fame). His downfield route concepts are a blueprint still taught in coaching clinics. Remember "Air Sid" to link Gillman with aerial strategies.

  3. Mark Dantonio's Triple-D Formula -

    When Dantonio took over in 2001, the Bearcats climbed from 2 - 10 to 7 - 6 by emphasizing Discipline, Defense, and Determination - dubbed the "3 D's." That turnaround is chronicled in University archives and coaching journals. Use the 3 D's mnemonic to recall his coaching pillars.

  4. Brian Kelly's Offensive Surge -

    Kelly's 2007 - 2009 tenure featured a jump to 10 - 3 in 2009 and an Orange Bowl berth, averaging 35.4 points per game (ESPN Stats & Info). His spread”option system balanced run and pass for record performances. A sample stat: 448.7 total yards per game in 2009.

  5. Luke Fickell's Defensive Mastery -

    As interim coach in 2009, Fickell led a defense that ranked top 20 nationally, using a versatile 4-2-5 nickel alignment (Sporting News). That scheme allowed quick adjustments against spread offenses. Recall "4-2-5" as five defensive backs, two linebackers, and four linemen to lock down aerial attacks.

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