College football is arguably the most difficult sport to be a coach in. Not only do you have to manage an entire roster of players and coaching staff, but you also have to answer to an athletic director and board of trustees, recruit players, and build relationships with families — all while game planning for the next opponent.
It’s why there are so many highly-paid college coaches and also why some of them get such a long leash. Some coaches have been in the Big Ten for more than 20 years and some of them will be entering their first season in the conference. There are plenty of young coaches, but there are a few who are grey in the beard as well. Big Ten coaches come in all forms, so now let’s take a look at how many wins each of them have accumulated up to this point in their careers.
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18. David Braun
Nov 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun is seen against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Team: Northwestern
Record: 19-19
One of the youngest coaches in college football, it’s no surprise David Braun has some of the least experience, and the least amount of wins in the Big Ten.
17. Bob Chesney
May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Bob Chesney reacts during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Team: UCLA
Record: 21-6
This will be Bob Chesney’s first season in the conference and he will have a big responsibility to get UCLA back up to their standards.
16. Jedd Fisch
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 25: Jedd Fisch of the Washington Huskies reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Husky Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Team: Washington
Record: 32-33, 15-11 with Washington
Jedd Fisch hasn’t been a head coach for a very long time, but he’s had some decent success with Washington, leading them to a 15-11 record in his first two seasons.
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15. Mike Locksley
Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley during the second half Southern California Trojans at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Team: Maryland
Record: 39-75, 37-49 with Maryland
Mike Locksley has accumulated a solid number of wins in his career, but it’s taken him far too long to do it.
T. 13 Barry Odom
Nov 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Barry Odom during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Team: Purdue
Record: 46-43, 2-10 with Purdue
Purdue is still an up-and-coming team, so Barry Odom may be stuck around 46 wins for a couple more years.
T-13. Curt Cignetti
Nov 8, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks off the field following the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Team: Indiana
Record: 46-6, 27-2 with Indiana
Curt Cignetti is a force that has taken over college football in the last few years. Expect him to continue shooting up this list.
12. Dan Lanning
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning walks off the field as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Team: Oregon
Record: 48-8
Dan Lanning, like Braun, is one of the youngest coaches in the country. He has nearly 50 wins in four seasons in arguably the best conference in the nation, so he should rise fast up this list like Cignetti.
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11. Matt Rhule
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Team: Nebraska
Record: 66-62, 19-19 with Nebraska
One of the most experienced coaches on the list, Matt Rhule lands near the middle of the pack with 66 wins.
10. Luke Fickell
Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Team: Wisconsin
Record: 80-46, 17-21 with Wisconsin
Luke Fickell is one of the most respected coaches in the country, but he hasn’t been able to deliver any success to Wisconsin yet.
9. Ryan Day
Nov 1, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day coaches his team before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Team: Ohio State
Record: 82-12
With more than 80 wins before the age of 50, there’s a good chance Ryan Day could become the all-time coaching wins leader if he sticks around long enough.
8. Lincoln Riley
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley celebrates with fans after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Team: USC
Record: 90-28, 35-18 with USC
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Arguably the most famous coach on this list, Lincoln Riley has built a strong résumé in his short career. He and Day could be competing for the all-time wins record for decades to come if they want to.
7. P.J. Fleck
Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck (sunglasses) reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Auburn Tigers Jan 1, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium.
Team: Minnesota
Record: 96-66, 66-44 with Minnesota
P.J. Fleck has brought a ton of stability to Minnesota, leading them to a 66-44 record in his nine seasons with the team.
6. Greg Schiano
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts after losing to the Kansas State Wildcats in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Team: Rutgers
Record: 99-108
One of the longest-tenured coaches in the sport, Greg Schiano will finally get his 100th career win this season barring a catastrophe.
5. Matt Campbell
Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell walks on the field during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Team: Penn State
Record: 107-70, 0-0 with Penn State
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New Nittany Lions head man Matt Campbell already has the fifth-most wins of all Big Ten coaches, although this will be his first year in the conference.
4. Pat Fitzgerald
Michigan State’s head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Team: Michigan State
Record: 110-101
Pat Fitzgerald makes his triumphant return to the Big Ten this year and will look to keep building on his 110 wins.
3. Bret Bielema
Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on against Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Team: Illinois
Record: 134-84, 37-26 with Illinois
Bret Bielema has been back in the Big Ten for quite a few years now and will try to extend his cushion on Fitzgerald.
2. Kyle Whittingham
Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham watches a play during the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Team: Michigan
Record: 177-88, 0-0 with Michigan
Before coaching one game, Kyle Whittingham enters with the second-most wins of anyone in the conference.
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1. Kirk Ferentz
Oct 18, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Team: Iowa
Record: 213-128
Kirk Ferentz, the 70-year-old coaching legend, will begin his 28th season with Iowa and look to extend his comfortable lead on Whittingham.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking all Big Ten coaches by career wins
