We went through this exercise last year just before the season, and we’ve now got one more year to observe and react to. Ryan Day proved a lot of folks wrong, and so did P.J. Fleck at Minnesota. Pat Fitzgerald had a down year, while Mark Dantonio rode off into the sunset.
So yeah, we’re doing it again and waiting for the hate mail to arrive from the fans of other programs (we got plenty last year). Regardless, trying to be as unbiased as possible, here’s our power rankings of every head football coach in the Big Ten going into 2020.
Of course, it’s all opinion based and every fanbase seems to have an elevated view of their coach, but off we go. If we don’t write anything else by this time tomorrow, send out a search party.
Next … No. 14
No. 14 – Mel Tucker, Michigan State
Tucker has his work cut out for him, inheriting a Spartan program that was clearly in decline. He is very unproven, and will likely need some time to figure things out.
Next … No. 13
No. 13 – Mike Locksley, Maryland
The first experiment with Locksley in Maryland didn’t work out so well. Year one back in Dodge was meh. There’s still time to get this thing cranked up, but unless he learned a ton at Alabama under Nick Saban, there’s just too much going against him.
Next … No. 12
No. 12 – Greg Schiano, Rutgers
We know what Schiano was in his first stop at Rutgers but some think the game has passed him by. The jury is still out. He’ll motivate and coach his tail off though. He’ll chop wood too. Truth be known, it’s really hard to figure out where to put him at this point.
Next … No. 11
No. 11 – Lovie Smith, Illinois
We finally saw some progress under Smith last season but there’s still a long, long way to go. Recruiting has to get better. The beard has to get longer.
Next … No. 10
No. 10 – Tom Allen, Indiana
There’s a lot to like about Tom Allen. He’s a tough coach and they’re actually trying to play defense in Indiana. But he’s still unable to pull in the horses to get over the hump and compete with the top dogs. Not yet anyway.
Next … No. 9
No. 9 – Jeff Brohm, Purdue
Last year was a big step backwards, but injuries had a lot to do with it. Brohm will get Purdue back to a bowl, and back on an upward trajectory before you know it.
Next … No. 8
No. 8 – Scott Frost, Nebraska
We’re still waiting for Frost to get Nebraska to that next level. The recruiting has gotten a wee-bit better, but things still need to shift culturally, and it doesn’t look like the quick turn a lot of folks thought it would be when he took the job. Still, what he did at UCF says something about what he can do. Now it just has to translate in Lincoln.
Next … No. 7
No. 7 – Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Iowa last won a Big Ten title in 2004. That’s a long time folks. You have to like Ferentz’s character and all that, but you can almost predict an Iowa season on a yearly basis now. Good, not great. Rinse. Repeat. That takes nothing away from the human being he is or the 3,000 contract extensions for tying his shoes.
Next … No. 7
No. 6 – P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
Fleck might end up as one of the best in the game. He turned the conference on its head last year by almost getting the Gophers to Indianapolis as the West Division winner. He’s got a lot of energy and can motivate, but will the success be sustainable? Full speed ahead boat-rowers.
Next … No. 5
No. 5 – Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Yes, this is right. There is simply no way you can move Jimmy khakis higher than this despite the hype train that gets going every year. He has yet to finish above third in the Big Ten East, win a New Year’s Six Bowl, or beat Ohio State. Is this what the Wolverine brass paid a boatload of money for?
Next … No. 4
No. 4 – Paul Chryst, Wisconsin
As unassuming as they come, Chryst is the quiet assassin. He builds tough teams, has solid game plans, and seems to be in the running for a trip to Indy on a yearly basis.
Next … No. 3
No. 3 – Pat Fitzerald, Northwestern
There are so many things working against Fitzgerald at Northwestern yet he’s able to get the most out of his roster on an almost yearly basis. Things weren’t exactly chocolates and flowers last season, but he’s still a whale of a coach.
Next … No. 2
No. 2 – James Franklin, Penn State
If it weren’t for Ohio State blocking bigger and better things almost annually, the Nittany Lions might be an even big player on the national scene. The guy can recruit and gets his teams to play as a confident bunch. As long as he’s there, Penn State will likely be the biggest hurdle for the Buckeyes. But is the program elite yet?
Next … No. 1
No. 1 – Ryan Day, Ohio State
Who else? We got mean Tweets and hate mail when we elevated Day to a top-three coach in the league in our power rankings before last season. Who’s laughing now? Day is one of the brightest minds in the game and is going to continue to field teams that are a beast in Columbus. He won the Big Ten’s Coach of the Year last season, so neener, neener to all of you that doubted. With the recruits he’s pulling in, there doesn’t seem to be a downturn coming either.
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