Jim Tressel Resigns: Who Is The Best Big Ten Football Coach Now?

Who is the best Big Ten football coach now?

With the Memorial Day resignation of Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel, the proverbial "door" is wide open for another Big Ten coach to ascend to the top of the ladder from a national perspective.

Here's a look at the top five coaches based on reputation and record.

1. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa - 81-55 as Hawkeyes coach, 77-36 Big Ten overall, 8-5 in 2010. Ferentz will begin his 13th season with the Hawkeyes on September 3, 2011.  There has been chatter over the years that some NFL owner would convince Iowa's head coach to leave Iowa City, but he appears happy with his current gig. He's 2-3 against the No. 2 coach on this list, 8-2 against the No. 3 coach, and 3-1 against the No. 4 coach.

2. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin - 49-16 as Badgers coach, 27-13 Big Ten overall, 11-2 in 2010 and shared Big Ten title with Ohio State and Michigan State.  Bielema took a successful football program under Barry Alvarez and just kept on winning.  He coached Wisconsin to victories in 17 of his first 18 games. His worst season during his five-year career as the Badgers head coach was 2008, when Wisconsin finished with a 7-6 record.

3. Joe Paterno, Penn State - 401-135-3 as Nittany Lions coach, 90-53 Big Ten overall, 7-6 in 2010.  "Joe Pa" is going to the College Football Hall of Fame.  He's a great coach, but he's nearing the end of his career.  He has only won two conference titles in the last 15 years.  His last undefeated team was the 12-0 Nittany Lions of 1994.

4. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State - 33-19 as Spartans coach, 20-12 Big Ten overall, 11-2 in 2010 and shared Big Ten title with Ohio State and Wisconsin.  Dantonio has put the joy back into Spartan football, which seems odd because he often appears emotionless on the sidelines of games.  There are rumors or opinions (take your pick) that he is the heir apparent to Tressel at Ohio State.  Don't count it.  Dantonio is highly regarded in East Lansing and MSU is well positioned to challenge for the Big Ten title this year.

5. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern - 34-29 as Wildcats head coach, 18-22 Big Ten overall, 7-6 in 2010. Only Fitzgerald could take a team hit hard by the sudden death of head coach Randy Walker and make them a better than .500 club in five seasons.  Playing the Wildcats stopped being a "gimme" once Fitzgerald took over as the coach.  He has steadily built a good program with what is often perceived as subpar talent.  However, he may have the 2011 Big Ten MVP in quarterback Dan Persa.

Five coaches with at least four years of Big Ten experience should hopefully draw attention away from the problems in Columbus.

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