The Big Ten has some exciting teams heading into the 2023 college football season. It’ll most likely be Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State vying for that Big Ten Championship appearance in the East. The West, however, seems to be up for grabs. Many are excited about the new era in Madison for the Wisconsin Badgers, however, Purdue, Minnesota, and Iowa are coming off relatively respectable seasons. Where do the head coaches rank in the Big Ten, Nationally speaking? That question was answered.
Where Do The Big Ten Head Coaches Rank Nationally?
Bill Bender complied a list of all 133 ranked division one head coaches going into the 2023 season, these are where the Big Ten coaches landed:
- 70. Ryan Walters, Purdue
- 66. Greg Schiano, Rutgers
- 58. Tom Allen, Indiana
- 50. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
- 49. Mel Tucker, Michigan State
- 48. Mike Locksley, Maryland
- 46. Matt Rhule, Nebraska
- 33. Bret Bielema, Illinois
21. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
Sometimes it’s easy to forget Fleck is just 42 years old. He’s entering his seventh season at Minnesota, and the Gophers have enjoyed back-to-back nine-win seasons. Minnesota also has won Paul Bunyan’s Axe against Wisconsin in three of the last five years. Minnesota also is 4-0 in bowl games under Fleck. The drawback? Despite a wide-open Big Ten West, the Gophers have not been able to break through to the Big Ten championship game.
19. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Ferentz enters his 25th season as head coach of the Hawkeyes, and he is under more scrutiny after fielding an offense that averaged 17.7 points per game in 2022. Iowa still won eight games – including a 21-0 shutout of Kentucky in the Music City Bowl. The Hawkeyes have won eight or more games in seven of the last eight seasons, and they went 6-2 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Iowa also made some key additions in the transfer portal, including Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara. The incoming season is huge for Ferentz perception-wise.
13. James Franklin, Penn State
Franklin dropped six points in 2022 and moved back up four spots this year. That’s the shuffle expected given the results. Penn State went 11-11 in 2020-21, and that sandwiched around 11-win seasons in 2019 and 2022. Franklin is under contract through 2031, and expectations are high in Happy Valley after last year’s Rose Bowl victory. Penn State continues to struggle against Ohio State and Michigan. Franklin is 4-14 against the Big Ten East powers. Will that change in 2023?
8. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
Fickell compiled a 31-5 record at Cincinnati the last three seasons, which proved the Bearcats were not a one-time fluke. The Bearcats also sent 16 players to the NFL Draft in that stretch. Instead of taking the Notre Dame job, Fickell is leveling up at Wisconsin – which should be an ideal place for that no-nonsense program-building skills in the Big Ten West. Fickell turns 50 in August. He’s now an established coach who has to prove it all over again in the Big Ten.
5. Ryan Day, Ohio State
Day has critics, but what fan-base would not take a .882 winning percentage, three College Football Playoff appearances and an offense that continues to churn out NFL talent at every position group. The Buckeyes were one missed field goal away from playing for the national championship in 2022. Day will get more College Football Playoff chances. About the Michigan matter? Despite the two-game losing streak, it’s a good bet Ohio State will be favored when they head to Michigan Stadium on Nov. 25.
4. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Like Swinney, it took Harbaugh time to get Michigan on track in recruiting, the Big Ten and the rivalry with the Ohio State. It’s hard to argue with the results of the last two seasons. The Wolverines have won back-to-back Big Ten championships after consecutive wins against the Buckeyes, and Harbaugh has evolved in recruiting with the help of the transfer portal. Last year’s playoff flop against TCU also is on the record, and the remains on Harbaugh to break through for a national championship.
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