Ranking Big Ten coaches as players

One was a football nerd who didn’t even play college or high school football. Another was a JC offensive lineman, while a third was a second-round NFL draft choice. What do they all have in common? They are all Big Ten head coaches in 2024.

The playing resumes of this collection of 18 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 2024 Big Ten coaches.

1 – DeShaun Foster, RB, UCLA (1998-2001)

He arrived in Westwood as the California prep player of the year after rushing for 3,998 yards and 59 TDs … as a senior! Foster finished his high school career with 5,885 yards rushing at Tustin (Calif.) High before matriculating to UCLA, where he ran for a school freshman record 673 yards. Foster closed his Bruin career 3,049 yards rushing and 39 TDs and added 57 catches for four scores. He was a second-round pick of Panthers, playing six years in the NFL and gaining 3,570 yards on the ground.

2 – Jonathan Smith, QB, Oregon State (1998-2001)

He enjoyed a storybook career in Corvallis after arriving from Pasadena, Calif., as a walk-on in 1997, redshirting and then becoming a four-year starter. Smith led the Beavers to their greatest season ever in 2000, posting an 11-1 record (capped by a win vs. Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl) and winning the program’s first league title in 36 years. Smith threw for 9,680 yards in Corvallis with 55 TDs.

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 – David Braun, Northwestern (2004-07)

Braun toiled at D2 Winona State (Minn.), where he played on the defensive line. He was a team captain and played on three NSIC championship teams and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2003, 2004 and 2006. He was an all-NSIC selection as a sophomore and junior, and was a part of a unit that led the conference in scoring defense three times during his WSU career.

9 – 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.

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 – Sherrone Moore, G, Oklahoma (2006-07)

Moore played two seasons along the offensive line for Oklahoma (2006-07), taking part in 14 games at guard and helping the Sooners win two Big 12 championships and playing in two BCS bowl games. Before joining the Sooners, Moore was a two-year starter at Butler County (Kan.) Community College. In junior college, he was a member of two conference championship teams that posted a 20-3 record. Moore earned second-team all-conference accolades.

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.

15 – Dan Lanning, LB, William Jewell (2004-07)

Lanning had a nondescript career as a linebacker at D2 William Jewell College, located in Liberty, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City. It’s the alma mater of former Kansas State coach Bill Snyder.

16 – Curt Cignetti, QB, West Virginia (1979-82)

He was a two-year letterman at quarterback in Morgantown who made nary a ripple on the field. Cignetti played in one game (1981) and threw one pass … which was incomplete. He also had one rushing attempt. Cignetti’s father (Frank) was WVU head coach from 1976-79. Before that, he was a Mountaineer assistant from 1970-79.

17 – Lincoln Riley, QB, Texas Tech (2002-05)

Riley was on the football and track teams at Muleshoe (Tex.) High, a West Texas town of 5,000. He began his prep career as a d-end before moving to quarterback his final two seasons. Riley then walked on as a quarterback at Texas Tech in 2002, playing behind Kliff Kingsbury and B.J. Symons before starting his coaching career as a student assistant a year later in Lubbock under head coach Mike Leach for three seasons (2003-05).

18 – Jedd Fisch, Florida (1994-98)

Fisch is a football nerd, the rare head coach who didn’t play college football. Heck, he didn’t even play high school football while growing up in Livingston, N.J. Instead, Fisch excelled at tennis. He attended Florida in hopes of working with Gators coach Steve Spurrier and getting into college football coaching. It worked. Fisch, who helped coach a high school team while a student in Gainesville and also coached for an Arena League team, became a GA at Florida in 1999 and 2000. He was college roommates with Eagles GM Howie Roseman.