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USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the Big Ten's 18 football-basketball head coach duos from worst to best
Ranking the Big Ten's 18 football-basketball head coach duos from worst to best The bridge between spring football practice and the summer recruiting season is often filled with way-too-early power rankings, game-by-game predictions and more. This week, it even included a compilation of the Big Ten's NCAA academic progress rate standings. The month can serve as a reset before the college sports world embarks on the busy upcoming summer, fall and winter calendar. One popular May comparison point is each conference's head coaches, whether football, men's basketball, or otherwise. With our rankings of all 18 Big Ten football and men's basketball coaches already on the books, it's time for a look at how each school's football and men's basketball coaching duo compares to the rest of the conference. The calculation is simple. Each coach's position (No. 1 through 18) is added to his counterpart's for a 'net score.' That score is then compared to the rest of the listed duos, with the lower score reflecting the higher ranking. 18. Washington Huskies (Jedd Fisch, Danny Sprinkle) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Jedd Fisch -- No. 12 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Danny Sprinkle -- No. 17 Net Score: 29 Fisch is likely to be a major riser by this time next year, as expectations are high entering his second season leading the Huskies. Sprinkle's No. 17 standing after a 13-18 debut season brings this overall ranking down. Most programs boast at least one coach in the conference's upper-echelon. That is not the case at Washington, at least until Fisch leads the Huskies to 9+ wins. Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire 17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Greg Schiano, Steve Pikiell) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Greg Schiano -- No. 13 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Steve Pikiell -- No. 15 Net Score: 28 Rutgers has been on the upswing as of late, with Schiano leading the football program to consecutive bowl games and Pikiell's team finishing with consecutive winning seasons from 2019-23. However, the latter underachieved greatly in 2024-25 with top NBA prospects Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey in the lineup. Expectations surrounding both programs are now measured entering 2025-26. Both coaches could drop further with down seasons. 16. Northwestern Wildcats (David Braun, Chris Collins) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: David Braun -- No. 18 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Chris Collins -- No. 10 Net Score: 28* Northwestern is always a 'do more with less' athletic department, seen by Pat Fitzgerald's terrific success on the gridiron from 2006-22 and Collins' current run. Collins has the Northwestern basketball program operating at arguably its peak, with consecutive 22-win seasons and the program's first ever back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Braun has major questions entering his third season at the helm, however, after his team went 4-8 in 2024. (Note: A tiebreaker goes to the school with the highest-ranked coach, in either sport. In this case, Collins bests Braun, Pikiell and Schiano) 15. Maryland Terrapins (Mike Locksley, Buzz Williams) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Mike Locksley -- No. 16 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Buzz Williams -- No. 8 Net Score: 24 Locksley is a potential hot-seat candidate entering 2025 after a 4-8 finish to the 2024 season. A further slide, against what projects to be a manageable schedule, could lead to a change. Remember, Maryland is amid an athletic director search. New ADs often lead to quicker coaching moves, as the new hire works to put their fingerprints on the department. Buzz Williams should be safe after being hired just one month ago. He made the last three NCAA Tournaments at Texas A&M and went 69-36 during that time. 14. Minnesota Golden Gophers (P.J. Fleck, Niko Medved) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: P.J. Fleck -- No. 10 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Niko Medved -- No. 12 Net Score: 22 Fleck may be underrated at No. 10, with bowl appearances in the last six non-COVID seasons and a 58-39 overall record in eight years at the helm. A nine-win season in 2025 could move him closer toward the Bret Bielema, Kirk Ferentz tier of Big Ten football coaches. Medved, meanwhile, is a moderate unknown after seven years at Colorado State. He now takes over a Minnesota program that has proven to be a challenging place to win. 13. USC Trojans (Lincoln Riley, Eric Musselman) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Lincoln Riley -- No. 9 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Eric Musselman -- No. 13 Net Score: 22 Hand up, Riley is likely better than the ninth-best coach in the Big Ten. However, USC is just 15-11 over the last two seasons, plus went 6-6 during the 2024 regular season before a bowl win over Texas A&M. There is a real question surrounding USC's fit in the conference, one which can only be answered by high-level winning. Musselman is in a similar position. He took Arkansas to two Elite Eights and a Sweet 16 from 2020-23. However, he went 16-17 in his final season with the Razorbacks and just 17-18 in his first season with the Trojans. Both coaches should take major jumps forward in 2025-26. However, it's worth noting that each has yet to prove an ability to succeed in the Big Ten. Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions onTrojans Wire 12. Nebraska Cornhuskers (Matt Rhule, Fred Hoiberg) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Matt Rhule -- No. 8 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Fred Hoiberg -- No. 14 Net Score: 29 Hoiberg dropped three spots with Nebraska's late-season collapse. That significant slide halted red-hot momentum after the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade. Still, Hoiberg just led the Cornhuskers to their first stretch of back-to-back 20-win seasons since 1997-99. The context of the program's overall struggles matters when evaluating his tenure. The same can also be said for Rhule, who just broke Nebraska football's eight-year bowl drought. He will now be expected to lead a significant breakthrough in 2025. That season will be critical to the direction of his tenure. Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire 11. UCLA Bruins (DeShaun Foster, Mick Cronin) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: DeShaun Foster -- No. 14 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Mick Cronin -- No. 7 Net Score: 21 Foster impressed over the second half of the 2024 season. He took over the program in a tough situation after former coach Chip Kelly left for the Ohio State offensive coordinator job. While the Bruins went just 5-7, the team improved as the season continued and now has high expectations entering 2025. Cronin, meanwhile, is one of the best coaches in the conference. His Bruins had little trouble competing in their first year in the Big Ten, finishing 23-11 overall and 13-7 in conference play. Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire 10. Penn State Nittany Lions (James Franklin, Mike Rhoades) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: James Franklin -- No. 3 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Mike Rhoades -- No. 18 Net Score: 21 This is a classic combination of a top-end coach on one side and a bottom-ranked one on the other. Franklin has Penn State football operating as a perennial top-10 team nationally. He also just led the program's first College Football Playoff breakthrough. Rhoades, meanwhile, is just 32-32 in two years at Penn State. 2025-26 will be a critical year for his tenure. Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire 9. Purdue Boilermakers (Barry Odom, Matt Painter) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Barry Odom -- No. 17 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Matt Painter -- No. 2 Net Score: 19 File Purdue's coaching duo in the Penn State category. Odom takes over after a disastrous 1-11 final season under Ryan Walters. He's tasked with a top-down overhaul and should get several seasons to get it done. Painter, meanwhile, is either the first or second-best coach in the Big Ten, depending on the year. His Boilermakers are again a projected top team entering next season. 8. Indiana Hoosiers (Curt Cignetti, Darian DeVries) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Curt Cignetti -- No. 6 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Darian DeVries -- No. 11 Net Score: 17 Indiana rocketed up this list after Curt Cignetti's breakthrough debut season, leading his team to an 11-1 regular season and a CFP berth. DeVries, meanwhile, takes over after one year at West Virginia. He previously led Drake on a terrific run from 2018-24. His biggest opponent at Indiana will be the almost unrealistic expectations that surround the program. 7. Ohio State Buckeyes (Ryan Day, Jake Diebler) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Ryan Day -- No. 1 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Jake Diebler -- No. 16 Net Score: 17 Again, a combination of a top coach with one program and the opposite with the other. Day sits atop the Big Ten football coach rankings after leading the Buckeyes to a national title in 2024. Diebler is still in prove-it mode, as his team went just 17-15 in his first full season at the helm. A strong 2025-26 season for the basketball program could see this duo rise to the top of the list. Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire 6. Michigan State Spartans (Jonathan Smith, Tom Izzo) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Jonathan Smith -- No. 15 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Tom Izzo -- No. 1 Net Score: 16 Izzo is our No. 1 basketball coach after Michigan State's Big Ten title in 2024-25. Again, he and Painter are interchangeable at the top. Smith, meanwhile, enters a critical second year at the helm. The Spartans went just 5-7 in 2024, plus are struggling on the recruiting trail. He needs to start winning, and must do so fast. Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions onSpartans Wire 5. Iowa Hawkeyes (Kirk Ferentz, Ben McCollum) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Kirk Ferentz -- No. 5 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Ben McCollum -- No. 9 Net Score: 14 Ferentz's position should go without saying. He enters year 27 at Iowa in 2025. Yet again, the team is projected for eight or nine wins. McCollum is an interesting wildcard, taking over the Hawkeyes after the dismissal of Fran McCaffery. He won four Division II national titles at Northwest Missouri State before a breakthrough 2024-25 at Drake. This slot is somewhat speculative, but he appears a great fit for Iowa on paper. Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire 4. Wisconsin Badgers (Luke Fickell, Greg Gard) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Luke Fickell -- No. 11 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Greg Gard -- No. 3 Net Score: 14 Gard's latest program evolution is almost exactly what athletic director Chris McIntosh was looking for when he hired Fickell to lead the football program in 2023. Gard revamped the Badgers' offensive attack, with an assist from Kirk Penney, recruited well out of the transfer portal and reestablished the program as one of the Big Ten's best. That occurred as Wisconsin saw nearly opposite results on the gridiron. Fickell's team went 5-7 in 2024, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001. He fired air raid offensive coordinator Phil Longo in November, an experienced assistant who was originally brought in to 'revolutionize' the program. 2025 is a critical year for Fickell. The Badgers face one of the nation's toughest schedules, but can't afford to go another season without a bowl trip. 3. Michigan Wolverines (Sherrone Moore, Dusty May) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Sherrone Moore -- No. 7 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Dusty May -- No. 4 Net Score: 11 May was a home run hire in year one, leading Michigan to a 27-10 overall record, Big Ten tournament title and NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance. Remember, he took over a program that had just gone 8-24 in the final year under Juwan Howard. Moore, meanwhile, will get some runway after a terrific finish in 2024, with statement wins over Ohio State and Alabama. Top 2025 QB Bryce Underwood will be an important factor in the success of his tenure. Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions onWolverines Wire 2. Illinois Fighting Illini (Bret Bielema, Brad Underwood) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Bret Bielema -- No. 4 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Brad Underwood -- No. 6 Net Score: 10 Bielema's stock is through the roof after Illinois' 10-3 2024 season. The team is now projected in the nation's top 10 entering 2024, as it returns most of its leading contributors and will face a manageable schedule. Underwood also shouldn't be overlooked. His Fighting Illini have been among the four best Big Ten programs over the last half-decade. 1. Oregon Ducks (Dan Lanning, Dana Altman) Football Coach Big Ten Rank: Dan Lanning -- No. 2 Basketball Coach Big Ten Rank: Dana Altman -- No. 5 Net Score: 7 Oregon claims the top spot in this year's coaching duo power rankings. Lanning's position should be clear after the Ducks went 13-1 in their first season in the Big Ten, only falling to Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinal. Altman also factors into the conversation near the top of the Big Ten. He's 370-162 in 14 years leading the Ducks, with zero seasons under 20 wins. Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions onDucks Wire Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
05-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to watch Washington vs USC today
How to watch Washington vs USC today Outside of pride, coach Danny Sprinkle and the Washington Huskies don't have much to play for as they head to the Galen Center for their final road game of the 2024-25 season. When the two teams faced off in early December, the Trojans had one of their best shooting games of the year in an 85-61 victory. "They came in, and I thought they played terrific," Sprinkle said after the game. "Credit to them, it seemed like they didn't miss in those first 30 minutes of the when we were defending with a ton of energy, they were making a ton of shots. We didn't do a good job of guarding them that kind of took the wind out of our sails." In the second matchup, with much less to play for, Sprinkle may lean heavily on some of the younger players that could be part of his core moving forward, like guards Zoom Diallo, Jase Butler, and Tyler Harris, after calling out his team for its lack of focus against Indiana. "We've got some guys and it's just not the most important thing, and that's a problem," Sprinkle said. After not converting a field goal against the Hoosiers, where he finished with just 4 points and 4 rebounds, Great Osobor will also be looking for a bounce-back performance with just two games remaining in his college career. Washington will play its final road game at USC Watch Washington vs USC live on Fubo (free trial) Here's how to watch the Washington vs USC game today, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information: What channel is Washington vs USC on today? TV Channel: Big Ten Network Livestream: Fubo (free trial) Washington vs. USC will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. Washington vs USC time today Date: Wednesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 5 Start time: 7:30 p.m. PST The Washington vs USC game starts at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time from the Galen Center. Washington vs USC predictions, picks, odds The Huskies may turn to more of their young building blocks in their final road game of the 2024-25 season. Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, March 4 ODDS: USC by 7.5 O/U: 150.5 Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
01-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to watch Washington vs Indiana today
How to watch Washington vs Indiana today After falling 88-62 to the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers on the road on Tuesday, the Washington Huskies' hopes of making the Big Ten Tournament are hanging on by a thread. With just three games to play in the regular season, coach Danny Sprinkle's team is set to the Indiana Hoosiers, led by coach Mike Woodson, who is set to step down at the end of the season. If the Huskies want to have any shot against the Hoosiers, forward Great Osobor is going to need some help. Against the Badgers, the senior was the only Washington player to finish with double-digit points and will need help from the likes of future building blocks Mekhi Mason and Tyler Harris. Harris, who is Washington's second-leading scorer at 12 points per game, has failed to reach double-digits in three of the Huskies' last four contests. Meanwhile, Mason has come on strong. The junior transfer from Rice has found his stroke from deep and connected on at least three-pointers in each of Washington's last four games, shooting above 50 percent from long range in all of them. Combined with center Franck Kepnang, who has displayed his signature defensive tenacity since returning from a knee injury, the Huskies have an opportunity to close out the season on a high note inside Alaska Airlines Arena. Washington returns home to face Indiana Watch Washington vs Indiana live on Peacock Here's how to watch the Washington vs Indiana game today, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information: What channel is Washington vs Indiana on today? TV Channel: N/A Livestream: Peacock (Subscriber only) Washington vs. Indiana will be broadcast nationally on Peacock. Washington vs Indiana time today Date: Saturday, March 1 Saturday, March 1 Start time: 3:00 p.m. PST The Washington vs Indiana game starts at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time from Alaska Airlines Arena. Washington vs Indiana predictions, picks, odds After a tough loss on the road, Washington's hopes of making the Big Ten Tournament are hanging on by a thread. Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Feb. 28 ODDS: Indiana by 2.5 O/U: 148.5 Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
26-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Washington basketball steamrolled at No. 11 Wisconsin 88-62
Washington basketball steamrolled at No. 11 Wisconsin 88-62 In their first-ever win over the Washington Huskies, the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers cruised to an 88-62 victory over Danny Sprinkle's team behind a strong effort from guard John Blackwell. He tallied a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, adding 2 assists and 2 steals as the Huskies' hopes of making the Big Ten Tournament continued to fade in a game where the Badgers outplayed them in every facet of the game. Washington was outrebounded 41-26 while Wisconsin shot 51.4 percent from the floor to the Huskies' 44.8 and took twice as many free throws, shooting 16 to Washington's 8. Sprinkle's team also committed 10 turnovers to the Badgers' 5, while four Badgers outscored Great Osobor, who led the Huskies with 11 points and was the only Husky who was able to muster double-figures. John Tonje, who came into the game tied for the Big Ten lead in scoring with 19.7 points per game, was held to just 13, but that was more than enough for coach Greg Gard's team. Steven Crowl and Xavier Amos added 12 points each as the Badgers handed the Huskies their fourth 20-plus point loss of conference play. Center Franck Kepnang made his second start since returning from a knee injury that kept him out for over two months, adding 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks, leaving some to wonder how Washington's season may have gone if he had been available throughout the year. The loss dropped the Huskies to 13-15 on the year and 4-13 in Big Ten play. Next, they'll return home for a matchup with the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, March 1 at 3:00 p.m. PST.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to watch Washington vs Wisconsin today
How to watch Washington vs Wisconsin today After a tough loss on the road to the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Washington Huskies' road trip will only get tougher as coach Danny Sprinkle's team heads to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers. The Badgers, who are ranked No. 9 in KenPom and 13-2 at home this season, 21-6 overall, and have been a force to be reckoned with, even coming off a loss to Oregon. Coach Greg Gard's team has been led by John Tonje, who is averaging a Big Ten-leading 19.7 points per game this season. Sprinkle was pleased with his team's effort in its last game against Iowa, namely forward Great Osobor, who recorded his eighth double-double of the year with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. "I was proud of our guys, I thought we got off to a really good start but we played a desperate team too," Sprinkle said. "Our guys came in and they didn't have a hangover from last game [against Rutgers]. We had great energy, we had good talk in the huddles, and then we even responded during the game a lot. The crowd got going when they hit some threes but we responded and it just avalanched in the second half, [Iowa] made some hustle plays and I've got to give them credit. They got all the 50/50 balls and they made us pay." In order to pull off a win against the Badgers and keep their season alive, the Huskies will need to bring similar energy on the road. Washington's season is on life support at Wisconsin Watch Washington vs Wisconsin live on Peacock Here's how to watch the Washington vs Wisconsin game today, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information: What channel is Washington vs Wisconsin on today? TV Channel: N/A Livestream: Peacock (Subscriber only) Washington vs. Wisconsin will be broadcast nationally on Peacock. Washington vs Wisconsin time today Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25 Tuesday, Feb. 25 Start time: 6:00 p.m. PST The Washington vs Wisconsin game starts at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time from the Kohl Center. Washington vs Wisconsin predictions, picks, odds Facing the highest-ranked team in the Big Ten, the Huskies, who are 2-7 on the road this season, may have a lot of trouble with the Badgers. Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Feb. 24 ODDS: Wisconsin by 16 O/U: 151.5 Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
