Photo Credit: Big Ten Conference
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The Big Ten enters 2026 with arguably the strongest coaching group in college football. The conference has won three straight national championships. Three different programs captured those titles. The league also enters another season with 18 teams. Several programs feature established coaches with proven resumes. Meanwhile, four coaches will make their Big Ten conference debuts this season. Ranking this group creates plenty of debate. Still, recent success, career accomplishments, and program outlook matter. Here is my ranking of every Big Ten coach entering 2026.
- Curt Cignetti — Indiana
Cignetti has earned the top spot after an incredible two-year run. Indiana went 16-0 last season and won the national championship. The Hoosiers transformed from an afterthought into college football’s biggest story. Cignetti now owns a 27-2 record through two seasons at Indiana. He also has a 17-1 Big Ten record. Some coaches have longer resumes. However, few coaches have created this much change so quickly. Cignetti also enters 2026 with another major challenge. Indiana must replace several important pieces from its championship team. Still, Cignetti has earned the benefit of the doubt.
- Ryan Day — Ohio State
Day could easily sit at No. 1 on another list. Ohio State won the national championship following the 2024 season. The Buckeyes also started last season 12-0. However, they lost to Indiana and Miami to close the campaign. That still produced a 12-2 record. Few programs hold coaches to those standards. Ohio State enters 2026 ranked No. 1 nationally. The Buckeyes received 40 first-place votes in the preseason AP poll. Day remains one of the nation’s elite coaches.
- Dan Lanning — Oregon
Lanning continues to build Oregon into a national powerhouse. The Ducks have reached the College Football Playoff during each of their first two Big Ten seasons. Oregon also won the Big Ten during that stretch. Lanning finally secured his first CFP victory last season. Now, one major goal remains. Lanning wants to win a national championship. Oregon enters 2026 ranked No. 2 nationally. The Ducks also received 14 first-place votes. That makes Lanning one of the biggest championship threats.
- Kyle Whittingham — Michigan
Whittingham represents the biggest coaching hire in the Big Ten. Michigan hired him after Sherrone Moore’s departure. Whittingham spent 21 seasons leading Utah. He built the Utes into one of college football’s most consistent programs. Now, he takes over one of the sport’s biggest jobs. His experience should bring stability to Michigan. The biggest question involves adapting to Michigan’s expectations. Still, his track record makes him an easy top five choice.
- Matt Campbell — Penn State
Campbell finally made the move away from Iowa State. Penn State landed one of college football’s most respected program builders. Campbell became Iowa State’s winningest head coach. He now inherits a program that consistently competed under James Franklin. Penn State wants more than consistency, though. The Nittany Lions want national championship contention. Campbell has the experience to push them toward that goal. His first season will show how quickly he can establish his identity.
- Lincoln Riley — USC
Riley remains one of the sport’s most accomplished offensive coaches. However, USC still awaits its first College Football Playoff appearance under Riley. That makes 2026 a critical season. CBS Sports also noted growing confidence around Riley’s current roster. USC enters the season ranked No. 14 nationally. The Trojans also have considerable young talent. Riley has the offensive expertise to make USC dangerous. Now, he needs the results to match the reputation.
- Kirk Ferentz — Iowa
Ferentz remains the Big Ten’s ultimate model of consistency. He has coached Iowa since 1999. The Hawkeyes rarely overwhelm opponents with flash. Instead, they win with physical football and disciplined execution. Ferentz continues producing winning seasons despite major roster changes. CBS Sports ranked him seventh among Big Ten coaches. At this stage, consistency remains Ferentz’s greatest strength.
- Bret Bielema — Illinois
Bielema has changed Illinois since returning to the Big Ten program. The Illini have won 19 games across the last two seasons. That represents Illinois’ best consecutive season win total ever. Bielema has also beaten SEC opponents during that stretch. Illinois now looks like a legitimate Big Ten contender. More importantly, Bielema has changed expectations around the program. That deserves considerable credit.
- Jedd Fisch — Washington
Fisch enters his third season at Washington. The Huskies improved from 6-7 in his first season to 9-4 last year. Washington now carries some College Football Playoff sleeper buzz. Fisch also brings experience from his previous Arizona tenure. The Huskies have enough talent to surprise people. Fisch must continue developing the roster, though. If Washington reaches the playoff, Fisch could climb quickly.
- P.J. Fleck — Minnesota
Fleck remains one of the conference’s more underrated coaches. Minnesota has consistently exceeded expectations during his tenure. The Gophers finished with winning Big Ten records in four of their last five seasons. That marks Minnesota’s best conference stretch since the 1960s. Fleck may not generate constant national attention. However, his teams consistently compete. That consistency earns him a spot inside the top ten.
- Matt Rhule — Nebraska
Rhule has made Nebraska competitive again. However, the Cornhuskers still need to take another major step. Nebraska finished 7-6 last season. The Cornhuskers also went 4-5 in Big Ten play. Rhule has yet to produce a winning conference record at Nebraska. Therefore, expectations are rising entering 2026. The talent appears better. Now, Rhule needs to turn that talent into results.
- Bob Chesney — UCLA
Chesney enters his first season leading UCLA. He arrives after guiding James Madison to a College Football Playoff appearance. That experience makes him an intriguing hire. He also created plenty of excitement around UCLA during the offseason. However, he has never coached in the Big Ten before. The conference presents a significant challenge. Still, Chesney could quickly become one of the league’s better coaches.
- Pat Fitzgerald — Michigan State
Fitzgerald knows the Big Ten extremely well. He spent 17 seasons leading Northwestern. He finished that tenure with a 110-101 record. Fitzgerald also guided Northwestern to 10 bowl appearances. Now, he takes over at Michigan State. The Spartans finished 4-8 last season. Fitzgerald needs to rebuild the program. His experience gives him a strong starting point.
- Luke Fickell — Wisconsin
Fickell’s position carries significant pressure entering 2026. Wisconsin missed bowl games during each of the previous two seasons. That represents a major decline for a traditionally strong program. Fickell still owns an impressive career resume. He took Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff before joining Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin needs results now. The 2026 season could determine Fickell’s future in Madison.
- Barry Odom — Purdue
Odom enters his second season at Purdue. He brings experience from his previous head-coaching stops. Purdue remains one of the conference’s more difficult jobs. Odom must improve a program that struggled badly last season. Still, he has demonstrated an ability to maximize his resources. CBS Sports expects Purdue to improve in 2026. That gives Odom an opportunity to climb these rankings.
- Greg Schiano — Rutgers
Schiano remains the winningest coach in Rutgers history. His first tenure helped establish the program’s modern identity. However, his second stint has produced mixed results. Rutgers has gone 31-41 overall during his return. The Scarlet Knights have also gone 15-39 in conference play. Schiano still deserves respect for his history. Yet Rutgers needs another breakthrough. Otherwise, difficult questions could emerge.
- Mike Locksley — Maryland
Locksley enters 2026 under significant pressure. Maryland struggled badly in conference play during the last two seasons. The Terrapins went just 2-16 against Big Ten opponents across that span. Locksley does have young talent returning. However, Maryland needs immediate improvement. Another difficult season could force major changes in College Park.
- David Braun — Northwestern
Braun takes the final spot despite showing some progress. Northwestern went 7-6 last season after finishing 4-8 previously. The Wildcats also reached a bowl game. Braun now enters his fourth season with the program. There is reason for optimism in Evanston. However, Braun still needs more sustained success. The bottom line remains simple. Northwestern needs to become consistently competitive in the Big Ten.
Final 2026 Big Ten Coach Rankings
Curt Cignetti — Indiana
Ryan Day — Ohio State
Dan Lanning — Oregon
Kyle Whittingham — Michigan
Matt Campbell — Penn State
Lincoln Riley — USC
Kirk Ferentz — Iowa
Bret Bielema — Illinois
Jedd Fisch — Washington
P.J. Fleck — Minnesota
Matt Rhule — Nebraska
Bob Chesney — UCLA
Pat Fitzgerald — Michigan State
Luke Fickell — Wisconsin
Barry Odom — Purdue
Greg Schiano — Rutgers
Mike Locksley — Maryland
David Braun — Northwestern
The Big Ten has no shortage of quality coaching. Four coaches also enter 2026 with new Big Ten programs. That creates plenty of room for movement. Cignetti holds the top spot after winning the national championship. Day and Lanning remain close behind. Meanwhile, Whittingham and Campbell could quickly prove their rankings correct. Several coaches outside the top ten also face pivotal seasons. Most importantly, the Big Ten remains loaded with championship-caliber programs. The conference’s coaching depth makes every week meaningful. That should make the 2026 season another fascinating chapter in Big Ten football.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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