Ranking the Big Ten head football coaches
We went through and ranked the quarterbacks, running backs, and pass-catchers during our post-spring rankings. Now we are going to rank the Big Ten head coaches.
The Big Ten has plenty of really good coaches — which is a big reason why the Big Ten is one of the best conferences in football — and the top five-to-six coaches could go in about any order you choose.
How we determined these rankings are pretty simple: records, longevity, and highest AP finish in the polls. Also, some other factors came into play like recruiting — and recruiting challenges that teams run into like academic restrictions that a team like Michigan or Northwestern may face, or the challenges that teams like Iowa or Illinois may face to get recruits to come play for them. If a coach can overcome those challenges, like Kirk Ferentz has done for 23 years at Iowa, that bolstered their ranking.
Here is our ranking of the 14 coaches that the Big Ten has to offer.
List
Everything Jim Harbaugh had to say at the Michigan Football Showcase
Scott Frost -- Nebraska
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Nebraska: four years
Record at Nebraska: 15-29
Best finish at Nebraska: 5-7 in 2019
Zero winning seasons
Bret Bielema -- Illinois
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Illinois: one year
Record at Illinois: 5-7
Best finish at Illinois: 5-7 in 2021
Zero winning seasons
Mike Locksley -- Maryland
Photo: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Years at Maryland: four years
Record at Maryland: 13-23
Best finish at Maryland: 7-6 in 2021
One winning season
*Locksley coached in 2015 for Maryland then returned in 2019.
Tom Allen -- Indiana
Jan 2, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA;Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen reacts against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Years at Indiana: six years
Record at Indiana: 26-32
Best finish at Indiana: 6-2 in 2020
Highest AP finish: 12th
Two winning seasons
Jeff Brohm -- Purdue
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Purdue: five years
Record at Purdue: 28-29
Best finish at Purdue: 9-4 in 2021
Two winning seasons
Greg Schiano -- Rutgers
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Rutgers: 13 years*
Record at Rutgers: 76-81
Best finish at Rutgers: 9-3 in 2020
One winning season in the Big Ten
*Coached Rutgers from 2001-2011 in the Big East then came back to Rutgers in 2020.
Mel Tucker -- Michigan State
Mel Tucker, Michigan State’s new football coach, speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Years at Michigan State: two years
Record at Michigan State: 13-7
Best finish at Michigan State: 11-2 in 2021
Highest AP finish: No. 9
One winning season
PJ Fleck -- Minnesota
Nov 9, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck looks on after a touchdown in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Years at Minnesota: five years
Record at Minnesota: 35-23
Best finish at Minnesota: 11-2 in 2019
Highest AP rank: 10th
Three winning seasons
James Franklin -- Penn State
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Penn State: eight years
Record at Penn State: 67-34
Best finish at Penn State: has had two 11-2 seasons
Highest AP finish: No. 8
Seven winning seasons
Pat Fitzgerald -- Northwestern
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Northwestern: 16 years
Record at Northwestern: 109-90
Best finish at Northwestern: has had three 10-3 seasons
Highest AP finish: 10th
Nine winning seasons
Paul Chryst -- Wisconsin
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after scoring against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Badgers defeated the Sun Devils 20-13. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Years at Wisconsin: seven years
Record at Wisconsin: 65-23
Best finish at Wisconsin: 13-1 in 2017
Highest AP finish: No. 7
Six winning seasons
Ryan Day -- Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads his team onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.
Ohio State Buckeyes At Michigan Wolverines
Years at Ohio State: three years
Record at Ohio State: 34-4
Best finish at Ohio State: 13-1 in 2019
Highest AP finish: No. 3
Three winning seasons
Jim Harbaugh -- Michigan
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Michigan: seven years
Record at Michigan: 61-24
Best finish at Michigan: 12-2 in 2021
Highest AP finish: No. 3
Six winning seasons
Kirk Ferentz -- Iowa
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Years at Iowa: 23 years
Record at Iowa: 178-110
Best finish at Iowa: 12-2 in 2015
Highest AP finish: No. 7
18 winning seasons
