Earlier this month, the Oregon Ducks announced the date for the annual spring scrimmage, which will take place on April 26 at 1 p.m. in Autzen Stadium. While this information is important for Duck fans and their spring vacation plans, it’s also important for the college football calendar.
It’s a turning of the page. We are no longer in the offseason, floating about while focusing on the additions of incoming recruits via the transfer portal. Now, we’re in spring preview season, and the next several weeks will be spent ramping up toward the start of the Ducks‘ spring practices in March.
To start preview season, we want to examine the Big Ten Conference as a whole. With the Ohio State Buckeyes winning the national championship in 2024 and four Big Ten teams making the College Football Playoff, it was quite a year for the conference. That shouldn’t change going into the 2025 season. Three of the top six teams in ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ top 25.
Earlier this month, we dove into each offensive skill position in the conference, as well as every Big Ten offense and defense. Now, I’m ranking every head coach in the Big Ten and diving into the current and long-term state of each program. With each ranking, I’ve included the coach’s record at their current school, the team’s record in 2024, as well as how “hot” I think their seat is.
No. 18: Mike Locksley — Maryland Terrapins
Career Record: 33-41 2024 Record: 4-8
Seat Heat Check: Scalding
Many thought another losing season would be it for Mike Locksley’s time in Maryland, but the Terrapins decided to retain him for 2025. Maryland struggled to retain the talented parts of their 2024 roster, which could make things tricky next fall. If the Terrapins fail to make a bowl game once again in 2025, don’t be surprised to see Maryland part ways with Locksley
No. 17: David Braun — Northwestern Wildcats
Career Record: 12-3 2024 Record: 4-8
Seat Heat Check: Luke Warm
After resurrecting Northwestern as interim coach in 2023, David Braun and the Wildcats struggled mightily in 2024. As a recruiter, both in the transfer portal and from high school, Braun hasn’t been great. Next fall will be just his second as the full-time head coach, so I don’t think he’ll get fired if 2025 is a disappointment, but his seat would warm up.
No. 16: Greg Schiano — Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Career Record: 94-101 2024 Record: 7-6
Seat Heat Check: Luke Warm
As one of the longest-tenured coaches in college football, Greg Schiano isn’t in any danger of losing his job, especially after taking the Scarlet Knights to two straight bowl games, but he certainly isn’t a top coach in the Big Ten. Next year, we’ll see how he is able to adjust to life after star running back Kyle Monangai.
No. 15: DeShaun Foster — UCLA Bruins
Career Record: 5-7 2024 Record: 5-7
Seat Heat Check: Warm
DeShaun Foster’s first year as UCLA’s head coach had ups and downs, but considering the state of the program Foster was handed the keys to, he did a decent job in 2024. Next season will be a much bigger test, as Foster’s feet are fully under him. We’ll see if he walks, stumbles, or runs.
No. 14: Barry Odom — Purdue Boilermakers
Career Record: 0-0 (Purdue), 20-8 (UNLV) 2024 Record: 11-3 (UNLV)
Seat Heat Check: Brand New Chair
After a rough 2024, Purdue brought in Barry Odom from UNLV — which was massively successful during Odom’s tenure. I don’t expect a total program flip from Odom in year one but don’t be surprised if Odom resurrects the Boilermakers over the next few seasons and climbs up this list.
No. 13: Matt Rhule — Nebraska Cornhuskers
Career Record: 12-13 2024 Record: 7-6
Seat Heat Check: A Cool Breeze
Since leaving the NFL for Nebraska two years ago, Matt Rhule has sparked a turnaround in Lincoln, but the Cornhuskers still have a long way to go. Rhule’s biggest achievement thus far as Head Coach in Nebraska is orchestrating the flip of 5-star QB Dylan Raiola in 2024. Raiola showed flashes of greatness in 2024, but he, like the Cornhuskers program, is still a few steps removed from greatness. 2025, Rhule’s third year as head coach, could be a crucial one for his and Nebraska’s future.
No. 12: Luke Fickell — Wisconsin Badgers
Career Record: 13-13 2024 Record: 5-7
Seat heat Check: Cool, For Now
Luke Fickell’s first three years as Wisconsin’s head coach didn’t go as planned, and failing to make a bowl game in 2025, is a quick way to start heating up your seat. In fairness, Wisconsin did play a difficult non-conference schedule, but if Fickell doesn’t have a strong bounce back in 2025, conversations around moving on from him could gain more traction. Fickell recently signed a contract extension with Wisconsin, but if the Badgers have another bad season, questions might be asked.
No. 11: Sherrone Moore — Michigan
Career Record: 8-5 2024 Record: 8-5
Seat Heat Check: Cool
Sherrone Moore’s first season as Michigan’s full-time head coach wasn’t a successful one, but with the talent on his roster, the Wolverines’ 8-5 result isn’t much of a surprise. A win against Ohio State in year one is huge, and Moore helped flip Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit — although a hefty NIL deal likely played a big role in that decision as well. With a bolstered roster and a year of setting his feet, 2025 will be Moore’s first true test as a head coach.
No. 10: P.J. Fleck — Minnesota Golden Gophers
Career Record: 58-39 2024 Record: 8-5
Seat heat Check: Cool
After a rough start to the 2024 season, P.J. Fleck did a great job turning the Golden Gophers around, without the presence of immense talent on the Minnesota roster. Fleck is coming up on 10 years as the Gophers’ head coach, and Minnesota fans should feel great about the leadership of their team.
No. 9: Jonathan Smith — Michigan State Spartans
Career Record: 2024 Record:
Seat heat Check: Luke Warm
Jonathan Smith’s first year in East Lansing had its highs and lows, but Oregon fans saw his skill and acumen on display during his time as head coach at Oregon State. With Aidan Chiles returning for his second year as a true starting QB, I think the Spartans could take a step forward in 2025.
No. 8: Kirk Ferentz — Iowa Hawkeyes
Career Record: 2024 Record:
Seat heat Check: Cool
The longest-tenured coach in college football comes in at nine on this list, and we’re now into the territory of legitimately great coaches. Iowa has tenured Kirk Ferentz for 25+ years for a reason, and I don’t expect the Hawkeyes to move on from him any time soon, despite Iowa failing to contend for Big Ten Championships in recent years.
No. 7: Bret Bielema — Illinois Fighting Illini
Career Record: 28-22 2024 Record: 10-3
Seat heat Check: Cool
The Illinois Fighting Illini’s 10-3 season was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 Big Ten season, and once again, Illinois’s success is an example of a coach squeezing more out of a team than the sum of its talent. Bret Bielema is an apt leader for the Fighting Illini, and I think they could be back in the 10-3 range in 2025.
No. 6: Jedd Fisch — Washington Huskies
Career Record: 6-7 2024 Record: 6-7
Seat heat Check: A Cool Breeze
A year after leading the Arizona Wildcats to a 9-3 season, Jedd Fisch coached a mediocre Washington team to bowl eligibility, and the horizon looks promising for the Huskies. Fisch has made good recruiting moves this offseason, and Washington could start making its way toward the top of the Big Ten standings as early as this year.
No. 5: Lincoln Riley — USC Trojans
Career Record: 26-14 2024 Record: 7-6
Seat heat Check: Heating up
Lincoln Riley is one of the most skilled coaches in college football, but his time at USC has hosted a string of disappointments. The Trojans are transitioning to Jayden Maiava at quarterback, and if things don’t start to look different for the Trojans with Maiava at the helm, Riley’s job security could quickly decline.
No. 4: Curt Cignetti — Indiana Hoosiers
Career Record: 11-2 2024 Record: 11-2
Seat heat Check: Cool
It feels wrong to put a coach in the top five at just one season at the Power 4 level, but Curt Cignetti’s turnaround of the Indiana Hoosiers must be celebrated. The season did not end the way the Hoosiers wanted it to, but 2024 was a massive success. If Cignetti can lead a team to similar heights next fall, he’ll cement his place near the top of this list.
No. 3: James Franklin — Penn State Nittany Lions
Career Record: 143-101 2024 Record: 13-3
Seat heat Check: Frosty
Although he has struggled in big games, James Franklin has been one of the best coaches in the Big Ten for over a decade now, and although his Nittany Lions fell to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff this year, 2024 was a successful year for Penn State. Next year could be even better, as the Nittany Lions are on the shortlist of teams that win a national title.
No. 2: Dan Lanning — Oregon Ducks
Career Record: 35-6 2024 Record: 13-1
Seat heat Check: Icy
Coming in at No. 2 on the list is Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dan Lanning. Lanning’s first three years as a head coach have been near-perfect, and he’s put the Oregon program on a prime course for the future. The loss in the Rose Bowl was bad, but Dan Lanning’s job and the Oregon Ducks’ future are in great standing.
No. 1: Ryan Day — Ohio State Buckeyes
Career Record: 70-10 2024 Record: 14-2
Seat heat Check: Cold
Ryan Day did something remarkable this season. He brought his team back from two dejecting regular season losses and led them to a dominant national championship run. His Buckeyes will be one of the best teams in college once again next fall and could be back in the National Championship game next January. Better start beating Michigan though.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
