1) Meyer

2) Franklin

3) Harbaugh

4) Dantonio

5) Ferentz

Dantonio and Ferentz probably do more with less than anyone else in the conference.

Tough call--I guess I'd say the same as Backer.  The B1G has some rising stars, though--Brohm, Fleck, and Scott Frost might be the hottest young coaches in college football.  And, honestly, Harbaugh has disappointed at Michigan compared to what he was able to do at Stanford.  In a few years, those three could easily knock the bottom 3 out of that list.

Fitz beat both teams last year Iowa and Michigan st, Fitz is the coach IMO that does more with less.

With Michigan's improvement over the Hoke and Rodriguez years, MSU does seem to be on the decline.  Fitzgerald had a very nice year last year, as he does periodically, but it's inconsistent.  I can't imagine anybody doing better at Northwestern than he has, though.  Same with Ferentz at Iowa--those are just tough places to win 10 games a year.

I don't subscribe to the "more with less" stuff, because that's arguing recruiting isn't part of coaching.  If they have less, it's their fault for not being better at recruiting IMO. That said, it's only part of it for me, I do realize some are better on-field coaches than others... it's not only about good players.

My list:

1, Meyer (National Titles)
2. Dantonio (Multiple B1G Titles)
3. Franklin (B1G Title, dealt with crippling sanctions, top 10 finishes)
4. Fitzgerald
5. Chryst

Harbaugh isn't on the list...  He took over the first year and did ok, 2nd year the team blew it at the end, and 3rd year they got worse.  Can't put a guy who has never finished better than 3rd in the division as one of the top 5 in the conference, even with his accomplishments before he came to UM.

Coaches with a chance to crack the top 5: Harbaugh, Frost, Brohm

Good points by everyone let’s just hope we all put James Franklin at the top of the list in the next couple of years, I believe we will because he wins regardless of whatever is thrown his way, the dude can coach.

I'll go with

1) Meyer

2) Dantonio

3) Franklin

4) Harbaugh

5) Ferentz

Dantonio isn’t the coach James Franklinis, no way Dantonio could have winning seasons at Vanderbilt and have winning seasons at penn st under death penalty sanctions,  I’m not even sure Slick Nick could’ve pulled off what James Franklin has. Michigan St will win 7 to 9 games this year just wait and see. 2 heavy rain games and playing a weak Washington st team is the only reason they won 10 last year, odds are they won’t get that lucky again.

In Michigan State's history, they have only had double-digit wins 8 times. Once in 1965, once by Nick Saban, and 6 by D'antonio.

That ain't luck, that is skill.  He is a damn good coach, probably the best on-field coach in the B1G IMO.  His weakness is recruiting, but even Saban had issues recruiting at MSU.

He is a good coach but he also was at Michigan st at the right time meaning Michigan stinking and penn st on death penalty sanctions, Michigan st will not win another big 10 title while they have 3 hurdles to jump, penn st, Ohio st and Michigan, they can’t recruit good enough. I probably do need to give Dantonio more credit though because he has done good. He’s still only the 4th best coach at best lol

One could say the same thing about Franklin, he was at Vanderbilt when Florida, Georgia, and the whole SEC East was terrible.

Can't say D'antonio was lucky the Big Ten was down, then turn around and give Franklin's time at Vandy for evidence of how good he is.  Both had the luxury of other teams having down years.

Yeah you’re probably right Roam  because i always say what did you do on the field and Dantonio has got it done on the field.He even won a Rose Bowl which is pretty hard for big 10 teams, I do need to give him more credit.