College Football

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

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

Story…

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