2012 record 10–3 (5–2 Big East) Defensive coordinator John Jancek (3rd year) | ||
Home stadium Nippert Stadium(Capacity: 35,097) | ||
The 2012 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats, led by third year head coach Butch Jones, played their home games at Nippert Stadium and were a member of the Big East Conference. They finished the season 10–3, 5–2 in Big East play to finish in a four way tie for the conference championship. Along with Rutgers,Louisville, and Syracuse, the Bearcats were the final football champions of the Big East Football Conference, as the league's original incarnation folded following the loss of the three former programs and others to different conferences. Cincinnati would become a charter member of the American Athletic Conference the following season. They were invited to the Belk Bowl where they defeated Duke.
At the end of the regular season, head coach Butch Jones resigned to take the same position at Tennessee. Defensive line coach Steve Stripling was named the interim head coach for the Belk Bowl.