Luke Fickell has long been rumored to be the coach that would one day replace Mark Dantonio in East Lansing but those Michigan State dreams have been dashed as the coach has announced he’s staying at Cincinnati.

After winning 22 games in the previous two seasons at Cincinnati, Fickell has become one of the hottest names in college coaching at the G5 level, so much so, that he is apparently confident enough that he can stick it out with the Bearcats and land a better job in the years to come. The Ohio State graduate also served one year as the Buckeye coach in 2011 before the school hired Urban Meyer.

Following Dantonio’s surprise resignation last week, which came the day before National Signing Day and just days after receiving a $4.3 million retention bonus, at Michigan State, Fickell quickly emerged as the school’s top candidate. Dantonio is also facing allegations of breaking NCAA rules, which combined with the timing of his resignation, is likely going to hurt MSU’s search for a new coach.

While Fickell was interested enough in the job to interview, he announced on Monday that he will stay at Cincinnati.

Now many eyes are turning toward former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema for the opening at Michigan State. Bielema is currently on staff with the New York Giants after spending a few seasons on Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots staff.