Athlon: Ranking the Big Ten's College Football Coaches for 2017

[Saunders]

This is not simply a list of coaches ranked by accomplishment or wins. While those aspects are important, it doesn’t provide a complete picture of how successful coaches are. Winning 10 games at Alabama is different than winning 10 games at Kentucky. Also, every program has a different amount of resources available. Hierarchy in college football also plays a vital role in how successful programs are. It's always easier for programs with more built-in advantages to contend for a national title on a more consistent basis.

A couple of other factors to consider when ranking coaches: How well are the assistants paid? A staff with two of the nation’s top coordinators could be a sign the head coach is better as a CEO and may not be as strong in terms of developing gameplans. How is the coach in the X’s and O’s? Can the coach recruit? Are the program’s facilities on par with the rest of the conference? Much like assistants, a program needs good facilities to win big. If a team is winning at a high level with poor facilities and a small budget, it reflects positively on the head coach. Is the coach successful at only one stop? Or has that coach built a solid resume from different jobs?

Again, wins are important. But our rankings also take into account a blank slate. If you start a program from scratch, which coach would you hire knowing what they accomplished so far and their career trajectory? Remember, you don't get the assistants - only the head coach. And head-to-head wins do not matter for this ranking. Athlon's editorial staff has voted on a ranking of coaches for all 10 conferences. Here are the results for the Big Ten:

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/ranking-big-tens-college-football-coaches-2017

9. Mike Riley, Nebraska

After a 6-7 record in Riley’s debut in 2015, Nebraska took a step forward last year and finished 9-4 overall. Even though Riley is 15-11 and has a winning mark (9-8) in Big Ten play, the third-year coach isn’t sitting idle. He dismissed long-time assistant Mark Banker in favor of Bob Diaco as the program’s new defensive coordinator. Diaco is a standout hire, but it may take a year to transition to the new 3-4 scheme. Prior to Nebraska, Riley went 93-80 at Oregon State from 1997-98 and 2003-14. Considering Oregon State is one of the Pac-12’s toughest jobs, Riley has a good idea of what it takes to win at programs with fewer resources. But in Lincoln, the third-year coach has more to work with and a national recruiting base to acquire talent. With expectations of contending for Big Ten Championships, the next two seasons are critical for this coaching staff.

 

[Caliborn72]

Hmm, weird to rank him so low while not writing any criticism to explain the low ranking.

 

[NUance]

12. Lovie Smith, Illinois
It’s not often a program can hire a coach who led a team to a Super Bowl appearance, but that’s exactly the opportunity Illinois was awarded last season. Athletic director Josh Whitman aimed high after his arrival in March and secured Smith with a significant six-year deal. As expected with a late start and a roster in need of repair, Smith’s debut was a struggle. Illinois finished 3-9, with two of those wins coming in Big Ten action. And with less than 10 returning starters for 2017, Smith is facing a tough second act in Champaign. Prior to taking over at Illinois, Smith spent two years at Tampa Bay’s head coach and finished with an 8-24 mark. His tenure in Chicago was significantly better, as Smith guided the Bears to an 81-63 record and a berth in the Super Bowl for the 2010 season. Smith was a big-name hire at the right time for Illinois. However, it’s going to take a few years to turn this program around.

Lovie Smith is the Bill Callahan of Illinois. lulz

6. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

Ferentz is the nation’s second-longest tenured coach, with a tenure spanning 19 years at the start of the 2017 campaign.

Okay, 19 years. But what has he done in 19 years? Gone to the Rose Bowl once. Finished in the top ten twice. Big whoop. I'd bump Ferentz down three spots to just behind Riley. Maybe lower.

 

[Branno]

12. Lovie Smith, Illinois
It’s not often a program can hire a coach who led a team to a Super Bowl appearance, but that’s exactly the opportunity Illinois was awarded last season. Athletic director Josh Whitman aimed high after his arrival in March and secured Smith with a significant six-year deal. As expected with a late start and a roster in need of repair, Smith’s debut was a struggle. Illinois finished 3-9, with two of those wins coming in Big Ten action. And with less than 10 returning starters for 2017, Smith is facing a tough second act in Champaign. Prior to taking over at Illinois, Smith spent two years at Tampa Bay’s head coach and finished with an 8-24 mark. His tenure in Chicago was significantly better, as Smith guided the Bears to an 81-63 record and a berth in the Super Bowl for the 2010 season. Smith was a big-name hire at the right time for Illinois. However, it’s going to take a few years to turn this program around.

Lovie Smith is the Bill Callahan of Illinois. lulz

6. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

Ferentz is the nation’s second-longest tenured coach, with a tenure spanning 19 years at the start of the 2017 campaign.

Okay, 19 years. But what has he done in 19 years? Gone to the Rose Bowl once. Finished in the top ten twice. Big whoop. I'd bump Ferentz down three spots to just behind Riley. Maybe lower.

Not sure if sarcasm.

I'm all for bumping down Ferentz, but Riley hasn't beaten him (or even gotten close to a W) yet. The lowest Ferentz can go is 8.

I'm honestly fine with the #9 ranking, although I'm surprised they put Fleck in the #8. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

There isn't a single coach 1-7 that I would put behind Riley right now.

Edit: I just noticed the article said the Bears Super Bowl was in 2010. I guess this writer doesn't follow the NFL.

 

[NUance]

12. Lovie Smith, Illinois
It’s not often a program can hire a coach who led a team to a Super Bowl appearance, but that’s exactly the opportunity Illinois was awarded last season. Athletic director Josh Whitman aimed high after his arrival in March and secured Smith with a significant six-year deal. As expected with a late start and a roster in need of repair, Smith’s debut was a struggle. Illinois finished 3-9, with two of those wins coming in Big Ten action. And with less than 10 returning starters for 2017, Smith is facing a tough second act in Champaign. Prior to taking over at Illinois, Smith spent two years at Tampa Bay’s head coach and finished with an 8-24 mark. His tenure in Chicago was significantly better, as Smith guided the Bears to an 81-63 record and a berth in the Super Bowl for the 2010 season. Smith was a big-name hire at the right time for Illinois. However, it’s going to take a few years to turn this program around.

Lovie Smith is the Bill Callahan of Illinois. lulz

6. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

Ferentz is the nation’s second-longest tenured coach, with a tenure spanning 19 years at the start of the 2017 campaign.

Okay, 19 years. But what has he done in 19 years? Gone to the Rose Bowl once. Finished in the top ten twice. Big whoop. I'd bump Ferentz down three spots to just behind Riley. Maybe lower.

Not sure if sarcasm.

I'm all for bumping down Ferentz, but Riley hasn't beaten him (or even gotten close to a W) yet. The lowest Ferentz can go is 8.

I'm honestly fine with the #9 ranking, although I'm surprised they put Fleck in the #8. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

There isn't a single coach 1-7 that I would put behind Riley right now.

Edit: I just noticed the article said the Bears Super Bowl was in 2010. I guess this writer doesn't follow the NFL.

Not sarcasm. I was basing my comments on the quote below from the article. Given that Riley has been at NU for two seasons, and has largely been playing with another coach's recruits, I *would* rank him above Ferentz--a guy who has coached Iowa for 19 years and had the bare minimum of success there. Granted, Riley hasn't been wildly successful on the field yet either in his first two seasons. But at least Riley can recruit. Then again, maybe it's just my lack of respect for Ferentz's mediocrity that is showing through. /jmho

:

This is not simply a list of coaches ranked by accomplishment or wins. While those aspects are important, it doesn’t provide a complete picture of how successful coaches are. Winning 10 games at Alabama is different than winning 10 games at Kentucky. Also, every program has a different amount of resources available. Hierarchy in college football also plays a vital role in how successful programs are. It's always easier for programs with more built-in advantages to contend for a national title on a more consistent basis.