Guidugli Helped Bearcats Football Program to Historic Heights in 2021 |
| PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands alum Gino Guidugli (right) observes a play during a practice in December, 2019. UC Head Coach Luke Fickell is standing to the left. |
A University of Cincinnati source has confirmed that Gino Guidugli is being promoted to Offensive Coordinator of the nationally-ranked Bearcats football team.
The 39-year-old Guidugli just finished his fifth season on Head Coach Luke Fickell‘s staff as an assistant. Guidugli joined the staff as a running backs coach in 2017. He’s coached the quarterbacks the past four seasons including the last two as the passing game coordinator.
Guidugli takes over for Mike Denbrock. Denbrock had been the Offensive Coordinator on Fickell’s staff all five seasons. But a couple weeks ago, Denbrock took the same position at Louisiana State University under former Cincinnati and Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly.
The Bearcats are coming off a historic 13-1 season finishing the season ranked fourth in the country. They won the American Athletic Conference championship and became the first team outside the Power 5 conferences to make it to the College Football Playoffs as the country’s only undefeated team. Top-ranked Alabama bested Cincinnati, 27-6 in the CFP Semifinals in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
Guidugli played a huge role in developing record-breaking quarterback Desmond Ridder. Ridder won consecutive AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors the last two seasons. Ridder finished his career as the all-time leader in touchdown passes with 116 and yards with 12,281.
Cincinnati ranked first in the AAC and eighth overall averaging 39.2 points per game. The Bearcats also led the conference and finished sixth nationally with 6.9 yards per play. Ridder finished with 3,190 yards passing and 30 touchdowns this past season. The Bearcats broke school records for touchdowns in a season with 70 and points scored in a season with 510.
Guidugli started his coaching career at Central Michigan. He spent six seasons there serving as a graduate assistant, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator.
After a record-setting career at Cincinnati from 2001 to 2004, Guidugli signed with the Tennessee Titans, but was ultimately released. He played in the Canadian Football League and arena leagues for four years.
Guidugli owns a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in Sport Administration from Central Michigan. Guidugli and his wife Michelle have been able to raise their three children Ryland, Ezra and Willow near Fort Thomas.
Guidugli is a 2001 Highlands graduate who helped the Bluebirds to the second and third of three straight Class 3A state championships. Under the guidance of legendary Head Coach Dale Mueller, Highlands knocked off Owensboro in consecutive state title games in Louisville by scores of 48-10 and 48-27 his junior and senior years respectively.
Guidugli owns the school record for most touchdown passes in a career with 92. He threw a school-record 53 during the 2000 season.