The Big Ten is not a conference short on quality coaches. And it’s only going to get better with additional TV money heading to the conference. And you’ll soon add USC (Lincoln Riley) and UCLA (Chip Kelly) to the mix.
Let’s take a look at the 2022 Ranking of Big Ten Football Coaches. Also, check out the 2022 Big Ten Hot Seat Report.
BOTTOM FEEDERS
14. Scott Frost – Nebraska
Year 5 of the Scott Frost era appears to be more of the same for Nebraska after a close loss to Northwestern to open the season. It’s hard to see this thing getting turned around.
13. Tom Allen – Indiana
Allen is heading into Year 7 at Indiana. Things looked to be trending up after the 2019 and 2020 seasons. But 2-10 last season with not a lot of hope for this season.
AVERAGE JOE
12. Mike Locksley – Maryland
Locksley has done some nice things in 3 seasons at Maryland, but he’s 13-23 over that period. This is a big season that could determine the direction of Maryland under Locksley.
11. Brett Bielema – Illinois
Will Illinois get the Wisconsin version of Bielema of the Arkansas version of Bielema?
10. Greg Schiano – Rutgers
Schiano took Rutgers from 3 wins in 2020 to 5 wins in 2021. Can he continue the upward trend?
9. Pat Fitzgerald – Northwestern
I know this ranking will raise some eyebrows. But, is there anyone that gets more free passes than Fitzgerald? Great coaches don’t have multiple 3-9 seasons.
8. Jeff Brohm – Purdue
We’ve been waiting for Brohm and Purdue to make a big leap, but it hasn’t happened yet. Purdue finished second in the Big Ten West last season and is a darkhorse to win the division this year.
7. Kirk Ferentz – Iowa
Ferentz is just fine in the middle of the conference with his stingy defenses and 1960 offense.
6. Paul Chryst – Wisconsin
A solid record at 65-23, but it feels like the window for Wisconsin to compete for Big Ten championships under Chryst is closing.
5. PJ Fleck – Minnesota
You don’t have to love his personality to like what Fleck consistently gets out of his teams.
4. Jim Harbaugh – Michigan
Yes, there was last season. But, Harbaugh was one season away from possibly being let go by his alma mater.
3. Mel Tucker – Michigan State
Tucker’s new contract would say he’s one of the Big Ten’s best. We’ll have to see if he can maintain the high standards over multiple seasons.
2. James Franklin – Penn State
Franklin’s name comes up for many of the big time openings because he’s a high-end coach.
TOP TIER
1. Ryan Day – Ohio State
Assistants taking over for successful head coaches doesn’t usually work out. We’ve been waiting for the decline under Day, but it hasn’t happened. He has the Ohio State machine rolling at full speed.
