USC’s coaching search may take another twist as one of the prime candidates this hiring season appears to be staying put, according to a report from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.

“Hearing that Luke Fickell is staying at Cincinnati. Recruits being told such,” Dodd reported.

Fickell’s profile has risen in recent years as Cincinnati has played itself into College Football Playoff contention, and bowl games against teams like Georgia last season. He was connected to jobs like Southern Cal, primarily because of his connection to USC Athletics Director Mike Bohn, who previously worked at Cincinnati.

Cincinnati’s 48-14 win over SMU last improved its record to 11-0 and led the College Football Playoff Committee to rank the Bearcats No. 4 in the latest rankings. They now have a realistic path to making the CFP if they can beat East Carolina and beat Houston in the AAC Championship Game.