CBS Sports has released their annual list ranking the top 25 coaches in the Power Five for college football, and Mark Dantonio came in at #13 overall, which was good for #2 in the Big Ten. Dantonio was ranked just two spots behind Penn State’s James Franklin (#11) in CBS’ rankings. Here’s what Tom Fornelli had to say about the ranking:
This is one of the more surprising results of our 2019 rankings. I have a bunch of respect for Dantonio as a football coach, and he had an amazing stretch at Michigan State — one that very well could continue. If the Spartans win at least 10 games for the seventh time in 10 seasons, nobody should be too surprised. Still, coming off a 7-6 season, I wasn’t anticipating Dantonio climbing three spots in the rankings.
It is a little surprising that Dantonio has managed to stay so highly ranked after a mediocre season, but after going 107-51 in his career with THREE Big Ten Championships, his pedigree still earns him a lot of deserved respect.
For what it’s worth, here are where the other Big Ten coaches landed in the top-25:
- #15 Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
- #16 Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
- #22 Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
- #23 Paul Chryst, Wisconsin
