Report: Florida Atlantic may hire Ohio State's Luke Fickell

Luke Fickell, right, talks with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer during a recent game.

COLUMBUS — Florida Atlantic may be targeting Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell for its coaching vacancy.

FAU athletic director Pat Chun flew to Columbus today to interview Fickell, according to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Fickell is in his second year as defensive coordinator after serving as interim coach in 2011. Chun, who spent 15 years at OSU before leaving for FAU last year, fired Carl Pelini last month after the Owls head coach was allegedly spotted using cocaine and marijuana.

Fickell, who went 6-7 in his only season as head coach, is paid $600,000 annually — about $100,000 more than Pelini made at FAU.