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USA Today Ranks All 18 Big Ten College Football Head Coaches | Bench Boss Power Rankings

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! Which Coach Tops the Big Ten?
Step into the War Room: Rate the B1G Coaching Hierarchy

We’ve laid out USA Today’s master ledger ranking all 18 Big Ten head coaches, but evaluating college football bosses always triggers an absolute firestorm of debate. Now it's your turn to step up to the whiteboard and judge the board.

The Crown: Did Curt Cignetti earn the #1 spot over Ryan Day and Dan Lanning after Indiana's national championship run, or does one legendary year not erase long-term program consistency?

The New Faces: How do you feel about Kyle Whittingham taking over at Michigan and Matt Campbell stepping in at Penn State? Which major hire will pay off faster?

The Hot Seat: Which coach near the bottom of these rankings, like Luke Fickell at Wisconsin or Mike Locksley at Maryland, is under the most pressure to deliver in 2026?

Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on these Big Ten coach rankings! Give us your full coach rankings as well!
Big Ten College Football Head Coach Rankings
King Curt's Empire: Ranking Every Big Ten College Football Head Coach for 2026

College football in 2026 is an absolute madness factory. The mega-expanded Big Ten has transformed into a coast-to-coast leviathan, packed to the brim with legendary minds, national championship winners, high-profile portal wizards, and coaches fighting like crazy just to keep their seats off the hot burner.

From Bloomington becoming the unlikely capital of the college football universe to traditional blue-bloods resetting their identities in the trenches, the coaching hierarchy in this conference is pure theater.

USA Today audited the entire league to rank every single Big Ten head coach heading into the 2026 kickoff. From national title bosses at the top to high-stakes rebuilding projects at the bottom, we break down Paul Myerberg's definitive coaching ledger in the Big Ten.
18. Bob Chesney
Head Coach, UCLA Bruins

Bob Chesney might not have the big-name Power Four background of his Big Ten peers, but the man is a certified winner wherever he sets foot. After turning James Madison into a Playoff crasher, he steps into Westwood with boundless energy and a track record of overachieving. He’s injecting life into a Bruins program that desperately needed a culture shock.

"He took the Dukes to the playoff and has energized a UCLA program that has been a pushover since joining the Big Ten."
17. David Braun
Head Coach, Northwestern Wildcats

David Braun pulled off one of the most impressive coaching jobs in recent memory when he guided Northwestern out of a massive storm and straight into bowl eligibility as an interim. He's proven that his steady, disciplined approach fits the Wildcats' identity like a glove. Winning two bowl games in three years shows he knows how to maximize his roster's potential.

"In 2023, Braun was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading Northwestern to seven wins in the wake of Fitzgerald’s dismissal."
16. Mike Locksley
Head Coach, Maryland Terrapins

Mike Locksley is an elite local recruiter who kept Maryland floating in the bowl tier for years, but recent back-to-back slump seasons have put the heat squarely on his shoulders. The Terps have talent, but translating that skill into Big Ten victories has proven tricky. Getting this young squad back into a bowl game is an absolute non-negotiable this fall.

"Locksley is once again on the hot seat after posting back-to-back four-win seasons with just two combined Big Ten wins."
15. Barry Odom
Head Coach, Purdue Boilermakers

Taking over in West Lafayette was always going to be a multi-year teardown, and Barry Odom knew what he was signing up for. He’s a defensive-minded scrapper who built UNLV into a winner, and now he’s laying the groundwork for a long-term rebuild at Purdue. It won't happen overnight, but Odom's teams will hit you in the mouth while they build.

"The former Missouri and UNLV coach continues a steady building project that isn’t expected to pan out for at least another season."
14. Greg Schiano
Head Coach, Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Greg Schiano will forever be a legend in Piscataway for what he accomplished during his first stint, but his second act has been a grueling uphill climb. He’s kept the Scarlet Knights competitive and physical, but breaking through in a super-sized Big Ten is a monumental task. The clock is ticking for him to prove Rutgers can be more than just a tough out.

"Schiano’s days back at Rutgers may be numbered given how his second go-round has yet to yield anything close to a breakthrough."
13. Luke Fickell
Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers

Nobody expected Luke Fickell’s tenure in Madison to hit the brakes this hard after his legendary run at Cincinnati. The transition away from Wisconsin’s traditional power-run identity toward a spread-option concept has felt clunky, resulting in frustrating drops in record. He desperately needs a bounce-back year to calm down a very anxious Badgers fan base.

"Mistaken hires, misguided schematic changes and sloppily constructed rosters have contributed to one of the most disappointing tenures in recent Big Ten history."
12. Jedd Fisch
Head Coach, Washington Huskies

Jedd Fisch is quietly one of the best offensive minds in the country, and he proved it again by steering the Huskies to a nine-win season during a major transition year. He has an innate knack for developing quarterbacks and skill players into absolute studs. Keep an eye on Washington, because Fisch is building something very dangerous up in Seattle.

"Fisch flies under the radar among his Big Ten peers despite his turnaround at Arizona and last year’s nine-win finish with the Huskies. One thing Fisch has done very well at each of these stops is develop skill talent."
11. Pat Fitzgerald
Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans

Pat Fitzgerald’s return to the Big Ten sidelines in East Lansing is one of the most intriguing storylines of the entire offseason. He knows this conference inside and out from his decades at Northwestern, but modern college football moves at light speed with the portal and NIL. Proving his old-school toughness works in this new era will be fascinating to watch.

"Fitzgerald must show an ability to navigate through a landscape that has changed dramatically since his final season with the Wildcats."
10. P.J. Fleck
Head Coach, Minnesota Golden Gophers

Love the catchphrases or hate them, P.J. Fleck has brought undeniable stability and culture to Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers consistently go to bowl games and play disciplined, ball-control football that frustrates higher-talent rivals. Crossing that threshold from a solid bowl team to a true Big Ten contender is the next big test for the Row the Boat crew.

"Fleck has reached the postseason in every non-COVID season except for his 2017 debut, when Minnesota finished one game shy of bowl eligibility."
9. Matt Rhule
Head Coach, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Matt Rhule is a proven program doctor, but fixing the Cornhuskers has tested every bit of his blueprint. He’s brought respectable postseason trips back to Lincoln, though turning close losses into signature wins remains the ultimate hurdle. If Nebraska can establish a bully identity along the lines of scrimmage, a real breakout is right around the corner.

"After pulling off remarkable rebuilding jobs at Temple and Baylor, whether he can turn a solid foundation into bigger things hinges on the Cornhuskers’ play on the offensive and defensive lines."
8. Matt Campbell
Head Coach, Penn State Nittany Lions

Taking over the reins in Happy Valley is no easy feat, but Matt Campbell has spent years doing more with less in the Big 12. He built Iowa State into a tough, disciplined squad, and now he inherits a Penn State roster stacked with blue-chip athletes. Expect him to bring that same blue-collar edge to a fan base hungry for playoff success.

"Campbell takes on a much tougher level of competition and distinctly higher expectations as James Franklin’s successor with the Nittany Lions. The track record is very strong: ISU went 72-55 under Campbell and had some of the best seasons in program history."
7. Bret Bielema
Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

Bret Bielema and Big Ten football are a match made in heaven. He’s got the Fighting Illini playing tough, physical football in the trenches, turning Champaign into a venue nobody wants to visit on a crisp autumn afternoon. Back-to-back ranked finishes prove his hard-nosed philosophy is built to last in this expanded league.

"This coming season will provide a good barometer of the Illini’s staying power. After an uneven run at Arkansas, it’s clear Bielema and his style are a much stronger fit for the Big Ten."
6. Lincoln Riley
Head Coach, USC Trojans

Lincoln Riley’s tenure in Southern California has been a high-octane rollercoaster ride. While defensive struggles have historically held the Trojans back, Riley’s offensive brilliance and elite quarterback development are never in question. Coming off a strong conference campaign and a monster recruiting haul, he's quietly steadying the ship in LA.

"Things are starting to look up after USC went 7-2 in the Big Ten last year and then inked one of the nation’s top recruiting classes."
5. Kyle Whittingham
Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines

Seeing Kyle Whittingham outside of Salt Lake City feels surreal, but Michigan made a massive statement by bringing him to Ann Arbor. He brings a gritty, physical, defense-first identity that aligns perfectly with what the Wolverines want to do in the trenches. If anyone can re-tool Michigan quickly and get them back into the playoff conversation, it's him.

"The Wolverines have chunks of ground to make up to catch Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon. But no Power Four program made a bigger coaching upgrade this offseason.
4. Kirk Ferentz
Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

Death, taxes, and Kirk Ferentz fielding a punishing defense and punting opponents into oblivion in Iowa City. The dean of college football coaches has been running the Hawkeyes for nearly three decades, and he still manages to churn out eight-plus win seasons like clockwork. You might complain about the offensive aesthetics, but the man gets results.

"Ferentz has won 213 games, won two Big Ten crowns and reached another three conference title games. The Hawkeyes haven’t posted a losing season since 2012 and have been ranked in the final US LBM Coaches Poll in five of the past seven seasons."
3. Dan Lanning
Head Coach, Oregon Ducks

Dan Lanning has turned Eugene into an absolute powerhouse since making the leap to the Pacific Northwest. The Ducks play with terrifying speed, recruit at a blue-chip level, and made the transition into the Big Ten look practically seamless. He’s right on the doorstep of bringing a national title to Oregon, and it feels like a matter of when, not if.

"Fair or not, Lanning won’t get his national due until Oregon wins a national championship. The Ducks have been closer than ever since he took over in 2022, including a 26-3 mark in two seasons as members of the Big Ten."
2. Ryan Day
Head Coach, Ohio State Buckeyes

Ryan Day might get nitpicked by Columbus radio hosts every time he drops a single game, but his track record at Ohio State remains elite. He’s dominating the recruiting trail and keeping the Buckeyes squarely in the national title hunt year after year. Even with Indiana stealing the spotlight recently, Day’s machine in Columbus is an absolute powerhouse.

"Day won his national championship in 2024 and has another team set to contend this coming season. He has turned Ohio State into an even more effective factory for NFL talent since replacing Urban Meyer in 2019."
1. Curt Cignetti
Head Coach, Indiana Hoosiers

Nobody on the planet saw Indiana turning into an unstoppable juggernaut, but Curt Cignetti pulled off the impossible in Bloomington. He didn't just rebuild the Hoosiers; he turned them into a ruthless, physical machine that steamrolled its way to a national championship. The guy walks around with unmatched swagger, and frankly, he’s earned every single bit of it.

"Cignetti is 27-2 and 17-1 in the Big Ten in his two seasons in Bloomington. Needless to say, these marks stand in contrast to Indiana’s pre-2024 history. The Hoosiers may not repeat in 2026, but there’s no doubt Cignetti is the top dog in the conference."
Have Your Say! Which Coach Tops the Big Ten?
Step into the War Room: Rate the B1G Coaching Hierarchy

We’ve laid out USA Today’s master ledger ranking all 18 Big Ten head coaches, but evaluating college football bosses always triggers an absolute firestorm of debate. Now it's your turn to step up to the whiteboard and judge the board.

The Crown: Did Curt Cignetti earn the #1 spot over Ryan Day and Dan Lanning after Indiana's national championship run, or does one legendary year not erase long-term program consistency?

The New Faces: How do you feel about Kyle Whittingham taking over at Michigan and Matt Campbell stepping in at Penn State? Which major hire will pay off faster?

The Hot Seat: Which coach near the bottom of these rankings, like Luke Fickell at Wisconsin or Mike Locksley at Maryland, is under the most pressure to deliver in 2026?

Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on these Big Ten coach rankings! Give us your full coach rankings as well!
Big Ten College Football Head Coach Rankings
King Curt's Empire: Ranking Every Big Ten College Football Head Coach for 2026

College football in 2026 is an absolute madness factory. The mega-expanded Big Ten has transformed into a coast-to-coast leviathan, packed to the brim with legendary minds, national championship winners, high-profile portal wizards, and coaches fighting like crazy just to keep their seats off the hot burner.

From Bloomington becoming the unlikely capital of the college football universe to traditional blue-bloods resetting their identities in the trenches, the coaching hierarchy in this conference is pure theater.

USA Today audited the entire league to rank every single Big Ten head coach heading into the 2026 kickoff. From national title bosses at the top to high-stakes rebuilding projects at the bottom, we break down Paul Myerberg's definitive coaching ledger in the Big Ten.