Ohio State Football: Jim Harbaugh top head coach and Ryan Day No. 10?
No. 6 Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: He came home to stop Ohio State’s domination in “The Game” and take his alma mater to the promised land. Although the Wolverines have a 38-14 record under his watch, Jim Harbaugh has yet to defeat the Buckeyes and get his team to the Big Ten Championship Game.
No. 5 James Franklin, Penn State: Coach Franklin has done a fine job during his tenure and has won a Big Ten Championship. The reasons I have him ranked this low is because of recruiting issues and the fact he will no longer have Trace McSorely running around making plays with his arm and legs.
I’m in a wait and see mode at the moment with the Nittany Lions’ head coach.
No. 4 Paul Chryst, Wisconsin: With a 42-12 record and two West Division titles Chryst has earned this ranking.
The top three coaches find undervalued players and turn them into very good ones.
No. 3 Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern: Since taking over as head coach at his alma mater Fitzgerald is 96-70 and 55-51 in the Big Ten. His teams have also been invited to bowls 9 of the last 11 seasons.
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: Coach Ferentz took over an Iowa team that wasn’t very good but during the last two decades the Hawkeyes are 152-101. The Hawkeyes have also played in a bowl game 16 out of the last 18 years.
He won National Coach of the Year honors in 2002 and has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times.
More from Ohio State Football
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
- Ohio State Football vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4
Now for the top coach in the conference.
No. 1 Mark Dantonio, Michigan State: Since arriving in East Lansing coach Dantonio has built his football program to be recognized as one of the best in the Big Ten. His teams have played in a bowl 12 of the 13 years he has been at the helm and won three Big Ten Championships.
Dantonio was also named Big Ten Coach of the Year twice.
I am in no way cutting down Steve Lassan’s article, I enjoyed it. He provided much of the info used here, and there are more interesting facts about the coaches in his piece and you should check it out.
Lejond Cavazos: From de-commit to biggest recruiter. dark. Next
It’s like I said before, lists like his are fun to read because we can agree or disagree with them and they always make us think.