2011 Preview Blitz: Big Ten Coaches Breakdown (Leaders Division)

The contrast of styles in the Big Ten’s Leaders Division is seen in virtually every one of its six coaches. Two of the conference’s first-year head coaches join elderstatesman Joe Paterno and recent win column forerunner Bret Bielema.

Bret Bielema, Wisconsin

After taking over for current UW athletic director and longtime Badger coach Barry Alvarez, Bret Bielema continued the tradition of old school, ground-and-pound football. Last season’s Badgers were a notable departure from that. True, the Badgers built around a hard-nosed defense that finished No. 20 in yards allowed and 25 in points surrendered. And yes, three ~1000-yard backs powered the offense. But the 41.5 points the Badgers dumped on opponents was very un-Wisconsin-like. This year’s team has the capability of equaling that — perhaps even surpassing it with an explosive quarterback joining the ranks.

Offensive Coordinator: Paul Chryst

All the talk this offseason concerning the Badgers’ offseason centered around an acquisition, namely quarterback Russell Wilson. But perhaps more important was a retention. Paul Chryst turned down an offer from Texas to remain at UW. That should prove to be tremendous for Wilson’s development into the system. Chryst capitalized on Scott Tolzien’s style, using mid-range patterns to keep defenses honest as the Badger ground game did its thing. If Chryst can combine that mindset with Wilson’s explosiveness, the result should be a conference title. The true question is did he learn to call run when it’s working. Passing was Wisconsin’s undoing in the final drive vs. TCU.

Defensive Coordinator: Chris Ash

The deep and talented UW secondary was overseen by Chris Ash last season (No. 26 against the pass). This year, he takes the reins of a defense depleted in the front seven from new NIU head coach Dave Doeren. Still, one thing that has characterized UW is a consistent defense and Ash’s old secondary will remain a strength.

Luke Fickell, Ohio State

The former Buckeye defensive lineman was thrust into the annals of Ohio State history as its 23rd head coach under less than desirable circumstances. Fickell is forced to make the best of a difficult situation, though the NCAA sparing OSU sanctions eases some of the pressure. The past six years Fickell spent as OSU’s defensive coordinator produced some of the nation’s best defenses. As linebackers coach, he oversaw the development of stars like AJ Hawk and James Laurinitis.

Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bollman

Obviously the Sweater Vest was the man behind Tressel Ball, but Jim Bollman was the man implementing that vision of grind it out football. Bollman doubles as the Buckeyes’ offensive line coach, which is of particular significance this season. With Terrelle Pryor gone and freshman Braxton Miller facing a steep learning curve, the Buckeyes will have to rely on the running game. A lot.

Defensive Coordinator: Jim Heacock

Luck Fickell worked closely with Jim Heacock throughout his coaching tenure. Heacock has been the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator since 2005 and overseen consistently top 10 defenses. Last season’s team, for example, surrendered just 14.3 points per game. The Buckeye defense will remain steady, no question. What’s interesting about the OSU defenses is that they’re often the antithesis of the offense. While OSU offenses are categorized as predictable and somewhat sluggish, Heacock employs a sleek, quick attack scheme that keeps offenses disoriented. If the Buckeyes make a push for yet another BCS bowl, it will be on the strength of his unit.

Danny Hope, Purdue

Gene Keady left Purdue basketball its all-time most winning coach, but left the cupboard somewhat bare for Matt Painter. Painter’s first two seasons after Keady retired produced a 26-40 record, but in his third the Boilermakers returned to prominence. Similarly, Danny Hope took over for Joe Tiller, the football program’s most successful ever. Tiller had led the Boilers to a Rose Bowl and reached double the amount of bowl games any Purdue coach had been to previously, combined. Yet Hope took over a program in need of a jumpstart.

Like Painter, his first two seasons were a struggle. Like Painter, there’s potential for a rebound in Year 3. Now it’s a matter of just doing it.

Offensive Coordinator: Gary Nord

The former UTEP head coach had a bumpy run as the top guy. His final season with the Miners, he lost to John Mackovic. Ouch. Nord found redemption working with Howard Schnellenberger at FAU though, coaching up Rusty Smith before Hope lured him to Purdue. He came in after the Boilers’ run of quarterbacks dried with Curtis Painter’s departure. Since, Purdue has had no stability at a position that was its calling card through the Aughties and the Boiler offense has struggled mightily. Last season was particularly rough, as Purdue finished ranked 105 in points scored. Injuries were a contributing factor; a healthy team will be more telling of what Nord can do.

Defensive Coordinator: Gary Emanuel

The upcoming season is longtime Boiler assistant Gary Emanuel’s first as defensive coordinator. He was the team’s linemen coach last season, and can be credited for some of Ryan Kerrigan’s success.

Joe Paterno, Penn State

Joe Paterno is a veritable institution. The Coke bottle glasses, the smile, everything about Paterno is iconic. It will be a sad day when he leaves the game, but today is not that day. Paterno will not have many more opportunities to win a conference championship, and these Nittany Lions may be a year away. But there’s talent in Happy Valley, no question, and a surprise league title run in 2011 would fall in line with PSU’s recent trend of a BCS bowl every three years.

Paterno may not be overseeing daily operations at the same degree he was in the 1970s and 1980s, or even at the turn of the century. Whatever the infrastructure at PSU though, it has allowed the Nittany Lions to remain relevant.

Offensive Coordinator: Galen Hall

Galen Hall is a well-tenured assistant whose style could be described as vanilla. The Nittany Lions haven’t had an explosive unit in any of the eight seasons Hall has been their coordinator. Last year’s was particularly weak, ranking No. 81 in points scored and No. 68 in yards gained. That can be largely attributed to starting two different freshman quarterbacks. QB play should be improved, but replacing running back Evan Royster is the challenge for Hall, who doubles as RBs coach.

Defensive Coordinator: Tom Bradley

Another longtime Penn State staffer, Tom Bradley has been with Paterno for over three decades and spent more than one decade as defensive coordinator. Last season’s young Nittany Lions allowed opponents just south of 24 points, but held them below 350 yards per game. Penn State is known as Linebacker U., and that reputation should again be warranted in what should be a much improved 2011.

Kevin Wilson, Indiana

Bloomington is generally career quicksand for a head coach. The best upgrade a former Hoosier head coach was Lee Corso moving to the broadcast booth. So, when Kevin Wilson left the comfort of offensive coordinator at Oklahoma to the perpetual cellar of the Big Ten, it was a perplexing move. Yet Wilson has already flexed his muscles in signing quarterback Gunner Kiel. One recruit doesn’t a program make, but Kiel’s commitment brings some positive attention to a program that rarely receives it.

Wilson’s offenses at Oklahoma were potent, notably the 2008 team with Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. Granted, Wilson’s OU accomplishments came with superior talent. He will need to be more Kevin Sumlin than Chuck Long as a head man.

Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Johns, Rod Smith

Kevin Johns and Rod Smith ascending to co-offensive coordinators was one of the stranger occurrences in an offseason filled with bizarre coaching moves. Wilson originally tabbed Brent Pease to oversee his offense, but after accepting the job, Pease took the same position with Boise State, where he had been wide receivers coach.

Johns was wide receivers coach at Northwestern, which finished a respectable No. 48 in passing yardage last season. That figure would have higher had Dan Persa not been injured late in the season. Smith was Michigan’s quarterbacks coach and worked with one-time Heisman Trophy frontrunner Denard Robinson. The contrast in these two’s recent experiences bring two very unique perspectives.

Defensive Coordinator: Doug Mallory, Mike Ekeler

Wilson gave a nod to the modest history of IU football with the hire of Doug Mallory, son of the program’s most winning coach ever Bill Mallory. Doug worked under Les Miles, including in the Tigers’ national championship season. Working alongside the Mad Hatter certainly gives an assistant unique experience. Ekeler came to Bloomington from Nebraska where he was linebackers coach. The Cornhuskers’ vaunted defense finished in the top 10 each of Ekeler’s final two seasons there.

Ron Zook, Illinois

Ron Zook shares company with Butch Davis as coaches without national championships, whose recruits would go on to win one with another coach. Zook has gone through the School of Hard Knocks. Seemingly, he’s always on a hot seat. After working the minor miracle that was coaching Illinois to the 2008 Rose Bowl, his next two teams vastly underachieved. The 2010 campaign became a make-or-break one, and the Illini came through after Zook shook up the staff surrounding him. Their blowout of Baylor in the Texas Bowl set expectations high, but the same thing that vexed the 2008 team — early NFL departures — struck again.

Still, this Illinois team should pose problems for the conference’s frontrunners. Zook recruits well, and that’s evident in talented quarterback Nathan Scheelhasse. The dual threat playcaller had a stellar freshman season and

Offensive Coordinator: Paul Petrino

After working alongside brother Bobby Petrino for many years, Paul got the opportunity fly out of the nest last year. Petrino did well coaching balanced offenses at Louisville, and getting the most out of quarterbacks like Stefan Lefors. He also worked with Ryan Mallett in the ’09 campaign. But Petrino really showed his abilities coaching Scheelhasse to a season surpassing what most expected of the freshman. Furthermore, his utilizing Scheelhasse’s rushing abilities was a deviation from what Mallett and UL quarterbacks had done under his guidance.

Defensive Coordinator: Vic Koenning

Illinois boasted a surprisingly stout defense in its first season with Vic Koenning as DC. Koenning’s resume is actually quite impressive. Memphis excelled defensively in the early 2000s with him leading that unit, and his one season at his alma mater, Kansas State, the Wildcats were a top 40 overall defense. The departures of Corey Liguet and Martez Wilson leave him less talent in Year 2, but Koenning has proven his ability to mold a defense through playing up players’ strengths. Liguet for example had mobility coming off the line that maximized his talents.