James Franklin: Franklin ascends to the top spot, and it makes sense. Meyer took over Ohio State in 2012, but the Buckeyes weren't eligible to for a conference title until 2013. Since then, only two other coaches besides Meyer have won Big Ten titles, and Franklin's one of them. He inherited a Penn State program that was in shambles following the Jerry Sandusky revelations, and Bill O'Brien's unexpected departure. After an (expected) slow start that saw Penn State go 14-12 in his first two years, the Nittany Lions have gone 31-9 the last three seasons, won a conference title and played in two New Year's Six bowls. Now, as 2019 begins, expectations will only get higher.
James Franklin: Franklin ascends to the top spot, and it makes sense. Meyer took over Ohio State in 2012, but the Buckeyes weren't eligible to for a conference title until 2013. Since then, only two other coaches besides Meyer have won Big Ten titles, and Franklin's one of them. He inherited a Penn State program that was in shambles following the Jerry Sandusky revelations, and Bill O'Brien's unexpected departure. After an (expected) slow start that saw Penn State go 14-12 in his first two years, the Nittany Lions have gone 31-9 the last three seasons, won a conference title and played in two New Year's Six bowls. Now, as 2019 begins, expectations will only get higher.
I'd disagree with putting him at the top spot, IMO that's a bit much.
Dantonio easily belongs above him at this stage, due to his accomplishments in the Big Ten: 3 Big Ten Conference Titles and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. AT MICHIGAN STATE. That's impressive.
I'd put Harbaugh further down further. The guy hasn't even won a division yet, let alone a conference championship. He's at Michigan, they have all the resources and history so I'd put others ahead of him who are doing more with less: like Fitzgerald at NW. To me, what Fitz has been able to do there is amazing. Frost will climb this list over the next two years too... He's that good.
I'd probably put Lovie Smith lower, he's been terrible and any new coach coming into the conference gets the benefit of the doubt over the dumpster fire that is Illinois. Day at 10? Well, I guess it's hard to say because he's only coached two games, but I'd have put him higher. Just being hired by a perennial power like OSU has to give the guy a boost in rankings.
#1 Harbaugh
#2 James Franklin
#3 Dantonio
#4 Ferentz
#5 Fitz
i will admit Harbaugh has blown a few games against Ohio st just like we’ve blown a few against Michigan State and it’s cost him big time because had he won those games he would’ve had Michigan in the playoffs but the truth is Ohio st was just better and they have better players. Just like with James Franklin Harbaugh needs to be judged on what he does from here on out because now he has his players in and it’s time for him to start winning games against Ohio st which I think he will. Brother, Ohio st is hard to beat because they have the best players in the big 10 and for the last 7 years it ain’t even been close. I think the Tide is turning now and the big 10 east and championship is up for grabs and whoever wants it more because Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State are loaded. IMO Harbaugh has won big games he just ain’t beat Ohio st but not many teams have.
BTW I only rank the top 5 because that’s where the big dawg coaches coach!
FYI... as bad as people say Franklin's record against the big three is... if he beats Michigan State, Ohio State, and Michigan this year he is .500 against all 3 in non sanction years.
Yeah, of course you count 2014-2015... but any rational individual would see that he was coaching with two hands tied behind his back those seasons.
#1 Harbaugh
#2 James Franklin
#3 Dantonio
#4 Ferentz
#5 Fitz
i will admit Harbaugh has blown a few games against Ohio st just like we’ve blown a few against Michigan State and it’s cost him big time because had he won those games he would’ve had Michigan in the playoffs but the truth is Ohio st was just better and they have better players. Just like with James Franklin Harbaugh needs to be judged on what he does from here on out because now he has his players in and it’s time for him to start winning games against Ohio st which I think he will. Brother, Ohio st is hard to beat because they have the best players in the big 10 and for the last 7 years it ain’t even been close. I think the Tide is turning now and the big 10 east and championship is up for grabs and whoever wants it more because Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State are loaded. IMO Harbaugh has won big games he just ain’t beat Ohio st but not many teams have.
BTW I only rank the top 5 because that’s where the big dawg coaches coach!
Southern, I know you think a lot of Harbaugh, but I agree with Roam's reasoning. What has he done?? Also, I like Fitz! In my opinion, no way is Harbaugh #1 and I'd rate Fitz above him. Quite frankly, I don't know who I'd rate #1. I just have a thing about Dantonio - just don't think he's very ethical and can't be trusted. I can't cite anything specific he's done, just my gut feeling.
I think Harbaugh gets hammered because he hasn’t beat Ohio State but IMO his teams weren’t as good as Ohio State ‘s. He’s got some great wins but none are against Ohio st which is what he’s judged on. Honestly would anybody here actually take Fitz or Dantonio over Harbaugh? Ain’t no way I would.
I think Harbaugh gets hammered because he hasn’t beat Ohio State but IMO his teams weren’t as good as Ohio State ‘s. He’s got some great wins but none are against Ohio st which is what he’s judged on. Honestly would anybody here actually take Fitz or Dantonio over Harbaugh? Ain’t no way I would.
I would, both of those coaches have done more with less.
Dantonio won 3 Big Ten championships at Michigan State. MICHIGAN STATE.
He beat Meyer too, something Harbaugh could never do. All at a University that has practically non of the tremendous advantages Michigan has.
Trivia question: Name the only two people since 1938 to coach Michigan and never be ranked in single digits at the end of the season and lose 2 games or less.
Jim Harbaugh and Rich Rodriguez. Every single other UM coach had at least one season with 2 losses or less and a ranking between 1-9.
I think Harbaugh gets hammered because he hasn’t beat Ohio State but IMO his teams weren’t as good as Ohio State ‘s. He’s got some great wins but none are against Ohio st which is what he’s judged on. Honestly would anybody here actually take Fitz or Dantonio over Harbaugh? Ain’t no way I would.
I would, both of those coaches have done more with less.
Dantonio won 3 Big Ten championships at Michigan State. MICHIGAN STATE.
He beat Meyer too, something Harbaugh could never do. All at a University that has practically non of the tremendous advantages Michigan has.
I like Dantonio he is a 9 win a year coach on average...
Winning 9 games a year at Michigan will get a coach fired. He did win 3 big 10 championship because Ohio st fired Jim Trusell and penn st was under unwarranted and unjustified death penalty sanctions and Michigan was in the dumpster. He’s definitely a good coach but he ain’t no Harbaugh. I believe starting this year Michigan will go on a run beating Ohio st. Y’all have to understand Michigan always gets Ohio st’s A game and when Ohio st has better players it makes it that much harder to beat ‘em. I’d take Harbaugh over all the coaches in the big 10 except James Franklin.
Winning 9 games a year at Michigan will get a coach fired. He did win 3 big 10 championship because Ohio st fired Jim Trusell and penn st was under unwarranted and unjustified death penalty sanctions and Michigan was in the dumpster. He’s definitely a good coach but he ain’t no Harbaugh. I believe starting this year Michigan will go on a run beating Ohio st. Y’all have to understand Michigan always gets Ohio st’s A game and when Ohio st has better players it makes it that much harder to beat ‘em. I’d take Harbaugh over all the coaches in the big 10 except James Franklin.
Pretty much completely wrong...
He won his first Big Ten Championship before Tressel was fired and before Penn State was hit with sanctions. So your claim that he needed those two schools in down years is complete BS. He also won the Big Ten in 2015, a year after Meyer won a National Title and also when Harbaugh was at Michigan. Not so much "down years"
So again, your claim he needed others to be "down" is BS.
"Winning 9 games at Michigan will get you fired"... Yeah, because it's a heck of a lot easier to win 9 games at Michigan. AGAIN, Dantonio wins 10+ games AT MICHIGAN STATE.
Also, my favorite part of your argument is the whole "He needed Tressel and Paterno to be gone to win a BTC". For two reasons:
1. It's false, I showed that he won his first before either was gone. (He also won another when Meyer AND Harbaugh were there)
2. You then say at the end Harbaugh's gonna win one now that Meyer's gone. Well great... You incorrectly blast one coach saying he needed other good coaches to leave, then give Harbaugh credit for finally being able to contend for one now that another coach is gone 😆
Sorry Southern, your whole post was just wrong.
Not really because remember I told you his days of winning big 10 championships is over now that penn st and Michigan have rebounded and I’ve been right. I told everybody Michigan State would fall and would be a average 7 or 8 win team and that’s what they are back to doing. Bottom line is I’ll put Harbaugh’s record up against fitz or Dantonio’s record any time. Michigan will keep getting better and Michigan State will stay the same just wait and see. I don’t see a whole lot of NFL teams calling on Fitz or Dantonio unless I’ve missed something. Y’all are freaking out to much on Harbaugh losing to Ohio st when Ohio st had much better players. I’ll give you he’s choked a few games but that happens to most coaches but is it choking when Ohio st has better players? Ohio st should’ve beat Michigan because they have better players.
When the big 10 sends teams like Michigan st to the playoffs they’ll get their clock cleaned. Teams like Michigan st just can’t hold up in the big dawg games roam and you know that. And if the big 10 doesn’t change something on how we get our champion in the playoffs we’ll keep getting our butts kicked. Thanks to Jim Delany the big 10 has lost respect and unless it’s just dealing with money they don’t want us in from what I see. Ohio st penn st and Michigan are the only teams that can hold up against the big boys when it’s nitty gritty time.
Not really because remember I told you his days of winning big 10 championships is over now that penn st and Michigan have rebounded and I’ve been right. I told everybody Michigan State would fall and would be a average 7 or 8 win team and that’s what they are back to doing. Bottom line is I’ll put Harbaugh’s record up against fitz or Dantonio’s record any time. Michigan will keep getting better and Michigan State will stay the same just wait and see. I don’t see a whole lot of NFL teams calling on Fitz or Dantonio unless I’ve missed something. Y’all are freaking out to much on Harbaugh losing to Ohio st when Ohio st had much better players. I’ll give you he’s choked a few games but that happens to most coaches but is it choking when Ohio st has better players? Ohio st should’ve beat Michigan because they have better players.
Ohio State had better players than us in 2016 and we beat them.
And really: "Not really because remember I told you his days of winning big 10 championships is over now that penn st and Michigan have rebounded and I’ve been right." ????
It's been 3 years, total. Let's wait a bit before you start saying you were "right", considering the only teams to win BTC in the past 6 years are Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State.
It's so funny how your arguments work... You constantly talk about "Big Dawgs" and how it's easy to win at them, then completely discount a coach who has beaten Big Dawgs for years by saying they were "Down Years". Dude, OSU won a National Title. Not down years. Penn State won the Big Ten, yet he's beaten us twice in a row since. Michigan still hasn't won a conference championship, and Dantonio has beaten Harbaugh in two BIG games. ALL WITH WORSE PLAYERS.
I mean, you are sitting here saying Harbaugh had worse players than OSU so he lost, ALL WHILE NEVER GIVING DANTONIO ANY CREDIT FOR BEATING HARBAUGH WITH WORSE PLAYERS.
Also, Dantonio BEAT MEYER in the Big Ten Championship in 2013... a year after OSU went undefeated and a year before OSU won the national championship. But yeah "down years"
Dantonio beat Meyer and Tressel in big games, harbaugh NEVER HAS. And you can't explain it away by saying OSU always gives Michigan "their A game". Pretty sure MSU got OSU's A game in the conference championship.
I love James Franklin but it’s time for him to stop losing these games to Michigan st. It’s time to find a way to win instead of finding a way to lose.
Jim Harbaugh is clearly big 10's no. 1 Coach, to this neutral observer..Ive always had , since his entry into league, Meyer 1st, JH, 2nd, now he ascends..I realize we're talking college, but he took a NFL team to the Super bowl, the pinnacle of the profession..In college , he went 29-6, at San Diego, took Stanford from 4-8 in yr 1, to 12-1 in yr 4, and a orange bowl win..38-14 at UM, not too shabby, but natives do want more..But as you said southern, he's lost to OSU but theyve been clearly more talented..Now with Meyer gone, its JH's time to climb the ladder, I think he will..
Jim Harbaugh is clearly big 10's no. 1 Coach, to this neutral observer..Ive always had , since his entry into league, Meyer 1st, JH, 2nd, now he ascends..I realize we're talking college, but he took a NFL team to the Super bowl, the pinnacle of the profession..In college , he went 29-6, at San Diego, took Stanford from 4-8 in yr 1, to 12-1 in yr 4, and a orange bowl win..38-14 at UM, not too shabby, but natives do want more..But as you said southern, he's lost to OSU but theyve been clearly more talented..Now with Meyer gone, its JH's time to climb the ladder, I think he will..
So the "clear" number one coach in the Big Ten is Harbaugh, yet...
1. Can't beat his rival, even with top recruiting classes.
2. Can't win a big bowl game
3. Has only finished 2nd in his division ONCE, and has never won it.
4. Has trouble even beating his in-state rival.
All of this at a school with every advantage... Sorry, color me unimpressed.
Let's not get too carried away, Has JH been a little disappointing at UM, I would agree to that, expected more, but this chapter of his coaching career is far from over..OSU had a lot to do with that..On the plus side, he has three double digit win seasons out of 4 at UM, won a Citrus bowl, which I read here last yr when PSU was invited, was the top bowl below the NY6..He tied for big 10 east title last yr, losing the championship slot on account of the tie breaker,and head to head..
He's won big games, Orange bowl at Stanford while finishing no. 4 in polls, no small feat at top shelf academics, Stanford...and he has won a NFC championship game.To me, with Urban gone, he still has done more than any other big 10 coach, with all due respect to Dantonio, who has had a very good career at MSU..and James Franklin, who has a big 10 title, and major bowl win..
Let's not get too carried away, Has JH been a little disappointing at UM, I would agree to that, expected more, but this chapter of his coaching career is far from over..OSU had a lot to do with that..On the plus side, he has three double digit win seasons out of 4 at UM, won a Citrus bowl, which I read here last yr when PSU was invited, was the top bowl below the NY6..He tied for big 10 east title last yr, losing the championship slot on account of the tie breaker,and head to head..
He's won big games, Orange bowl at Stanford while finishing no. 4 in polls, no small feat at top shelf academics, Stanford...and he has won a NFC championship game.To me, with Urban gone, he still has done more than any other big 10 coach, with all due respect to Dantonio, who has had a very good career at MSU..and James Franklin, who has a big 10 title, and major bowl win..
1. If it's no small feat to win a major bowl at Stanford and finish 4th, why was David Shaw able to win 3 Pac-12 Championships, 2 Rose Bowls, and finished ranked 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 12th in the nation in various years.
2. Brady Hoke won 11 games at Michigan, and stocked that roster before Harbaugh showed up with elite talent. Harbaugh has yet to equal Hoke's best season at Michigan in the 4 years he's been there.
3. The only time he's won a major bowl game? The Orange Bowl (2010) against a Virginia Tech team that had lost to James Madison that year. The ACC was putrid and sent a sacrificial lamb to the BCS.
Look, I'm not saying he's a bad coach. Of course he's not, he's a very good coach. But saying he's the best the Big Ten has to offer is just plain insane. The guy simply has not done one thing in his 4 years at Michigan that warrants such respect. I mean, my lord James Franklin took over a sanction riddled dumpster fire at Penn State and won a conference championship in year 3. WTF has Harbaugh done that comes close to such an accomplishment in college football???? Win 1 Orange Bowl? Yay.
Losing 2 games different years cost Michigan from making the playoffs so IMO that’s how close Michigan is on being up there with Clemson and Alabama. I know they lost and IMO they should’ve lost because Ohio st had better players but they’re very close to being elite. Michigan does need to start winning these games though and I’m talking about games that get you in the playoffs. Personally I think Fitz and Dantonio are good coaches but not good enough for Michigan because a lot more pressure comes being coach at Michigan.
Jim Harbaugh is clearly big 10's no. 1 Coach, to this neutral observer..Ive always had , since his entry into league, Meyer 1st, JH, 2nd, now he ascends..I realize we're talking college, but he took a NFL team to the Super bowl, the pinnacle of the profession..In college , he went 29-6, at San Diego, took Stanford from 4-8 in yr 1, to 12-1 in yr 4, and a orange bowl win..38-14 at UM, not too shabby, but natives do want more..But as you said southern, he's lost to OSU but theyve been clearly more talented..Now with Meyer gone, its JH's time to climb the ladder, I think he will..
Shouldn't Lovie Smith be ranked higher?? After all, he took an NFL team to the super bowl?? I think you have to go by their body of work in the B1G ONLY. My vote goes to Moorehead......lol Seriously, my vote would have to go to Dantonio, he certainly does more with less.
Losing 2 games different years cost Michigan from making the playoffs so IMO that’s how close Michigan is on being up there with Clemson and Alabama. I know they lost and IMO they should’ve lost because Ohio st had better players but they’re very close to being elite. Michigan does need to start winning these games though and I’m talking about games that get you in the playoffs. Personally I think Fitz and Dantonio are good coaches but not good enough for Michigan because a lot more pressure comes being coach at Michigan.
Losing two games cost Franklin playoffs in two straight years, Dantonio also lost a game that kept him out of the playoffs... so why is it such a big thing that Harbaugh lost? Yet again you bring up something that other coaches did as some big thing for Harbaugh. At least Franklin and Dantonio still won conference championships.
Seriously... other coaches accomplish more and it's just BS excuses for why Harbaugh couldn't do it.
I am considering just college football... not the NFL at all. We've all seen how different that league is, and how different coaching is in both.
I'm sorry, but after 8 years of coaching in college Harbaugh has 1 Orange Bowl win over a terrible VT team. Southern consistently calls the Pac-12 weak, and Harbaugh couldn't win that conference either. He successor at Stanford has won 3 conference championships.
As I said, he is a great coach but we're talking about the #1 coach in the Big Ten. I think anyone saying it's Harbaugh is out of their mind... He's coached almost a decade and has zero titles to show for it. All we here is excuses like "Ohio State beat him, they are really good" like somehow Franklin or Dantonio won the Big Ten by magically bypassing Meyer and the Buckeyes? No. Thry beat them.
Until Harbaugh actually wins something, he ain't #1. IMO you actually have to win a conference championship to even be in the discussion... Especially when there is a guy who won three at his in-state rival.
Harbaugh has been at Michigan for 4 years, in that time Dantonio, Franklin, and Meyer (2) have won the conference yet we are acting like Harbaugh is the best? Nope.
...And don't give me that he doesn't have good players, Brady Hoke brought in top 10 recruiting classes and Harbaugh has brought in the same. He has plenty of good players, and always has.
No excuses here because I’ve said both coaches need to start winning these games that get you in the playoffs. Find a way to win instead of a way to lose and this goes for Franklin and Harbaugh. Michigan state looks like a middle of the pack team to me but that’s just my opinion if you see something in ‘em that’s ok too.
No excuses here because I’ve said both coaches need to start winning these games that get you in the playoffs. Find a way to win instead of a way to lose and this goes for Franklin and Harbaugh. Michigan state looks like a middle of the pack team to me but that’s just my opinion if you see something in ‘em that’s ok too.
I don't need to "see" anything in Michigan State other than they beat Ohio State and Meyer in the championship game in 2013, won the Big Ten in 2015 beating Meyer and Harbaugh, and won it back in 2010 before Tressel and Paterno left.
At what point do you give Dantonio any credit and stop making excuses as to why those championships don't matter?
