Ranking Big Ten coaches as players

One was a two-time national defensive player of the year. Another played at a tiny D3 school in Wisconsin that no longer has a football program. There also are two former walk-ons, four FCS/I-AA players as well as D2 and D3 players among the ranks.

They all have one thing in common: They are Big Ten head coaches.

The playing resumes of this collection of Big Ten bosses looks markedly different. But, they all arrived at the same destination, coaching in one of the most powerful leagues in the nation.

A ranking of the college playing careers of the 14 Big Ten coaches.

1. Pat Fitzgerald, LB, Northwestern (1993-96)

The resume for No. 51 glimmers. It begins with a College Football Hall of Fame credential. Enough said. This tough guy linebacker with a cherubic face was a stone-cold mauler from the south side of Chicago. Fitzgerald was the vanguard of the Wildcats’ improbable resurgence under Gary Barnett in the mid-1990s. “Fitz” was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, two-time All-American and a two-time Bednarik and Nagurski Award winner who helped do the seemingly impossible: Take the Purple to Pasadena.

2. Jim Harbaugh, QB, Michigan (1983-86)

An all-time Michigan great, Harbaugh started his final three seasons in Ann Arbor for iconic Bo Schembechler. Harbaugh led the Wolverines to a Big Ten title as a senior, when he finished third in Heisman voting. He wasn’t done, forging an NFL career that is unmatched by Big Ten coaches. Harbaugh was a first-round NFL pick of the Bears in 1987, enjoying a successful 14-year career that was capped by induction in the Colts’ Ring of Honor.

3. P.J. Fleck, WR, Northern Illinois (1999-2003)

The ultimate overachiever who wrung every last once of ability from his body, Fleck was a standout receiver and return man for Joe Novak in DeKalb, Ill. As a senior, Fleck helped lead the Huskies to a No. 10 ranking, a 10-2 record and wins vs. Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State. He ranks in the top five in Northern Illinois annals in receptions (179) and receiving yards (2,162). Fleck was first-team All-MAC in 2003. He went on to play from 2004-05 with the 49ers after signing as a free-agent. Fleck is Rocky Balboa.

4. James Franklin, QB, East Stroudsburg (1991-94)

The effervescent Franklin was a four-year letterman and a two-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection, breaking or tying 23 school records at D2 East Stroudsburg. He was a legend, setting seven school records as a senior and earning team MVP honors for the Warriors. He also was a Harlon Hill Trophy nominee (Division II Heisman). His crowning honor: Franklin was inducted into the East Stroudsburg Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

5. Ryan Day, QB, New Hampshire (1998-2001)

Day was a decorated prep, earning Gatorade New Hampshire Player of the Year honors. He started for three years under Chip Kelly, a first-time OC who was developing his spread offense that eventually would lead him to the NFL. And Day thrived as a three-year starter. He established nine records, finishing with 53 TD passes and 8,492 yards passing for the FCS Wildcats.

6. Ryan Walters, S, Colorado (2004-08)

The Purdue coach was a touted prep signal-caller from suburban Denver who had his pick of schools. Walters opted to stay “home,” signing with Gary Barnett and the Buffaloes, redshirting in 2004. Walters moved to safety early on in his career and never looked back, becoming a key cog in the CU defense. A 2008 team captain for the Buffaloes, Walters was voted MVP that season. He had 87 tackles, two sacks, seven pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a senior. Walters started 33 times in 46 career appearances as a Buffalo. He capped his tenure by earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2008, finishing his career with 203 tackles and five interceptions. When his playing days ended, his 20 career passes defended ranked No. 15 in Colorado history and his 223 career tackles were No. 45 all-time. CU played in three bowls during Walters’ run along the Flatirons.

7. Luke Fickell, NG, Ohio State (1992-96)

The native of Columbus, Ohio, was a prep legend. He graduated from DeSales High School, where he was a three-time, undefeated state wrestling champion. Fickell then stayed home to play for the Buckeyes. He redshirted his first year and then entered the starting lineup at nose guard. He didn’t leave for the next four seasons. Fickell started a then school-record 50 consecutive games between 1993 and 1996, helping Ohio State win two Big Ten titles and play in a Rose Bowl (1996 season) under John Cooper. Fickell had a cup of coffee with the New Orleans Saints before injury ended his career.

8. Bret Bielema, DT, Iowa (1989-92)

Cut from the same never-say-die mold as P.J. Fleck, Bielema was a rugged d-lineman from the Illinois plains who toiled for Hayden Fry. Bielema hustled his way to a good career in Iowa City after arriving as a walk-on. He earned a scholarship after his freshman year, starting as a junior and becoming a captain as a senior. Bielema helped Iowa reach the Rose Bowl in the 1990 season. He signed as a free-agent with Seahawks and played one season in the Arena Football League.

9. Tom Allen, LB/P, Maranatha Baptist (1988-91)

Allen played football and wrestled at Maranatha Baptist, a D3 school in Watertown, Wis. He is sixth all-time in tackles, and eighth in tackles for loss. And get this: Allen was one of the most prolific punters in Maranatha Baptist history, too. Alas, Maranatha Baptist eliminated its football program after the 2016 season. No doubt, Allen was one of the best-ever Sabercats.

10. Mike Locksley, DB, Towson (1988-91)

“Locks” earned his chops as a safety, notching defensive MVP honors as a senior in 1991 for the Tigers. Quick, savvy and tough, Locklsey finished his career ranked 19th on the school’s all-time tackles list playing at the I-AA school in suburban Baltimore, which at the time was Towson “State.”

11. Greg Schiano, LB, Bucknell (1985-87)

A three-year letterwinner for the I-AA Bison, Schiano was named to The Sporting News’ preseason All-American team in 1987. The ultimate tough guy, Schiano wasn’t quick or dynamic. But, he was adroit schematically. And, he could hit. Schiano was a captain his senior year after leading non-scholarship Bucknell with 114 tackles as a junior en route to garnering All-Patriot League honors.

12. Mel Tucker, DB, Wisconsin (1990-92, 1994)

Tucker was on the ground floor of Barry Alvarez’s rebuild in Madison, signing on in the first recruiting class for the Hall of Fame coach. Tucker lettered three times at cornerback and safety, helping the Badgers win the 1993 Big Ten title. He finished his career with 47 tackles and four pass deflections. (He missed his junior season after breaking a leg in camp).

13. Kirk Ferentz, LB, UConn (1974-76)

The Hawkeye boss had one scholarship offer coming out of high school in Pennsylvania as a 6-1, 185-pound fullback. He took it, going on to start for two years as a self-described too “small and slow” linebacker at UConn. Ferentz was a captain and an academic All-Yankee Conference honoree in a largely undistinguished career at the I-AA level.

14. Matt Rhule, LB, Penn State (1994-97)

After playing at State College Area High, Rhule walked on at nearby Penn State to play for Joe Paterno. Rhule helped the Nittany Lions forge a 41-8 record in his four seasons with one Big Ten title, three bowl victories and a top-20 final each season Rhule suited up.