Big Ten Coach Rankings: CBS Sports ranks coaches 1-18 ahead of 2024 college football season

CBS Sports released its Big Ten coach rankings for the 2024 season, ranking every single coach from No. 1 to 18 ahead of the Fall.

There are some surprises within the top 10, but the cream of the crop is pretty clear in a new era for the conference. Jim Harbaugh is gone, so a certain rival took the top spot in the Big Ten.

Let’s dive into CBS Sports’ Big Ten coaching rankings going into the 2024 season.

1. Ryan Day, Ohio State

The top coach in the Big Ten is also the one who likely has the most pressure. Day’s been very close to the mountaintop, but has yet to finish a year with a national title.

That’s kind of wild to think about since hee’s 56-8 since 2018. But, such is life when you’re a consistent Big Ten favorite. With Jim Harbaugh in the NFL, it’s on Day to take Ohio State to the promised land this year. His record speaks for itself, it just has one missing piece.

2. Dan Lanning, Oregon

Lanning’s been one of the best in his short time leading Oregon. Despite falling to Washington twice last year, the Ducks move into the Big Ten as one of the favorites.

With a loaded roster, a veteran quarterback and a sound culture in place, Lanning should have this team competing for a top-four seed in the CFP. He could easily take the No. 1 spot next year as well.

3. Lincoln Riley, USC

CBS Sports ranked Riley quite high for his first year in the Big Ten. The Trojans coach has been successful virtually every year, coaching Heimsan quarterbacks ad nauseum. However, a down season in 2023 has some questioning Riley.

Going into 2024, so long as the defense is moderately improved, USC should compete near the top of the conference. As long as QB Miller Moss follows previous Riley signal callers, the offense will be efficient and Riley will continue to prove why he’s still one of the better coaches in America.

4. James Franklin, Penn State

For all of the criticism Franklin gets, he did lead Penn State to a Big Ten title in 2016. However, if we check today’s date, that’s almost a decade ago.

Still, Franklin is 88-39 in 10 seasons and a lot of coaches and schools would sign up for that. The Nittany Lions are a regular contender for the conference, but can they get back over the hump?

5. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin

In just one year at Wisconsin, Fickell went 7-6. So going into Year 2, the Badgers should be a bigger Big Ten contender.

That’s just how Fickell rolls. He’s got another veteran quarterback in Tyler Van Dyke and the things could certainly fire off on all cylinders. Fickell got Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff a few years ago so he certainly has the potential to do so in Madison.

6. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

Ferentz is just solid and there probably isn’t a better way to describe the Big Ten’s longest tenured head coach. Iowa is simply always there.

But without divisions this year, there’s no wild west division but the Hawkeyes will always contend. With strong defense and special teams, Iowa is always in it. If only they could just fix that offense. Ferentz is 196-119 at Iowa since 1999 for what it’s worth.

7. Jonathan Smith, Michigan State

Smith, despite his 34-35 overall record, is a very, very good head coach. He got a lot out of Oregon State before moving to the Big Ten to lead the Spartans.

He’ll no doubt have more resources in East Lansing, but it’s still a rebuilding job. Still, don’t be surprised if Smith gets a lot out of Michigan State in 2024 and the team surprises. 

8. Matt Rhule, Nebraska

Rhule’s been a program builder wherever he went, which included Temple and Baylor. Nebraska seems to be on the same trajectory in the Big Ten.

He went 5-7 in his debut season, but roster improvements and potentially a game changer at quarterback point to success. Will Year 2 be the breakout year for Rhule and company? He’s on the right path.

9. Jedd Fisch, Washington

Fisch had an impressive season at Arizona, which is now in the Big 12, last year going 10-3. However, that was his only winning season in three full years as head coach.

Still, Fisch won one, five and then 10 games in successive seasons. Washington isn’t set up as well as it was under Kalen DeBoer, getting to the national title game last year. But, it’s not like the cupboard is bare to have success right away.

10. Bret Bielema, Illinois

Bielema’s been up and down in three years at Illinois, with two 5-7 seasons sandwiching an 8-5 campaign in 2022. However, there’s no doubt he and his staff develop NFL talent.

But the Big Ten schedule has some challenges this year featuring Penn State, Michigan and Oregon. Can this team get back to a bowl game? Seems to be the MO for Bielema.

CBS Sports ranks Big Ten coaches for 2024 season

The rest of the coaches can be seen below, led by Minnesota’s PJ Fleck and Rutgers’ Greg Schiano. Schiano is in stint No. 2 with Rutgers, going into Year 5 of this era. 

CBS Sports is high on the Scarlet Knights cashing in on a 7-6 campaign in 2023 and a lot of 2025 recruiting wins. Fleck meanwhile could move up by getting Minnesota back to consistent seasons of eight or nine wins.

11. PJ Fleck, Minnesota
12. Greg Schiano, Rutgers
13. Mike Locksley, Maryland
14. Curt Cignetti, Indiana
15. Sherrone Moore, Michigan
16. David Braun, Northwestern
17. Ryan Walters, Purdue
18. DeShaun Foster, UCLA

The Big Ten coaches rankings are in the books for the 2024 season. Well, at least until the season starts and then we can reevaluate how these coaches stack up.