Like you, I check out many websites every day. I love information and opinion about sports, news, pop culture, you name it.
This blog and future website is dedicated to what I think will be the 2nd best rivalry in the Big 10, Nebraska and Iowa. (2nd only to Ohio State and Michigan)
The website, www.bigrednetwork.com and author Tom Cudd put together and interesting list, ranking the coaches in the Big 10, 1 through 12. Here is his list.
1. Jim Tressel/Ohio State
2. Joe Paterno/Penn State
3. Bret Bielma/Wisconsin
4. Bo Pelini/Nebraska
5. Kirk Ferentz/Iowa
6. Mark Dantonio/Michigan State
7. Pat Fitzgerald/Northwestern
8. Brady Hoke/Michigan
9. Ron Zook/Illinois
10. Danny Hope/Purdue
11. Jerry Kill/Minnesota
12. Kevin Wilson/Indiana
I appreciate the effort in putting this list together, however Mr. Cudd is taking what I think is a direct shot at the Iowa program by ranking Pelini ahead of Ferentz. Mr. Cudd’s blog has a big red slant so I understand why he would do this; however I come from the belief that the best opinions are formed from cold hard facts, not emotion.
Call me soft; call me non committal I am not going to take a stand on this issue. I want you to form your own logical opinion by comparing the two coaches side by side. Do me a favor, take off your blinders (both Red and Yellow) and think logically without emotion.
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| Kirk Ferentz |
Kirk Ferentz: Overall Record at Iowa: 88-57
Bowl Record: 6-3
BCS Bowl Record: 1-1
The sad truth is, when Ferentz took over for the legendary Hayden Fry he had to rebuild a program. The talent pool was depleted and he had to win over a fan base who wanted Bob Stoops instead. Ferentz has proven to be a program builder and a developer of talent.
Under the leadership of Ferentz Iowa has four top ten finishes and one top 20 finish and the Hawks have tied for two conference championships.
Ferentz joins Bo Schembechler, Hayden Fry and Joe Paterno as the only coaches to win Big 10 Coach of the Year award 3 times. He has stood the test of time and now is longest tenured coach in the Big 10 behind Joe Pa. Nobody lasts this long if they don’t win.
However, Ferentz had had to deal with a lot off the field trouble from this his players and his teams can fail to live up to expectations. (See 2010 as and example)
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| Bo Pelini |
Bo Pelini: Overall Record at Nebraska 30-12
Bowl Record 3-1
BCS Bowl Record 0-0
It's hard to compare Pelini directly to Ferentz, Bo is Nebraska's 3rd head coach since 1999 which was Kirk's first year in Iowa City.
What we do know is Bo did not have to rebuild a program in Lincoln, instead he had to change a culture and help unify the fan base. A change that had a huge impact from day one. In each of his first three full seasons as the Huskers head coach, the Huskers have won or tied for the Big 12 North Division. However, Nebraska did not win a Big 12 Championship under Pelini's direction, losing twice in the conference championship game. In each of Bo's first three seasons, Nebraska has finished ranked in the top 20, its highest ranking was 14th in 2009.
Bo is rough around the edges when it comes to dealing with the media and officials, but you can't mistake his passion and his desire to compete at the highest level.
The biggest improvement the Huskers have made under Pelini is on Defense, the famed Blackshirts are down right dominating. However, Pelini has yet do define his offensive style or preference. He was forced, okay that be a bit much, encouraged to keep Shawn Watson as the OC. Watson is a former Colorado OC and a one of two hold overs from Bill Callahan's staff. Obervers can't deny that Nebraska's abililty to move the ball with efficiency has gotten worse over the last three years.
A first time head coach, Pelini has had the luxury of being mentored by Tom Osborne (CFB Hall of Famer)
In Conclusion:
Comparing Ferentz and Pelini is like comparing apples and oranges. But if you could only eat just one.... You be the judge. Round of this yearly prize fight. November 26th, 2011.
Ferentz's 2 Conference Championships are greater than Pelini's 2 Division Championships
ReplyDeleteBoth are pretty good coaches. Ferentz has more head coach experience and it shows when he talks with media. Pelini has more pressure to win big, I think he will in time.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how anyone can compile a ranking of Big 10 coaches that includes Bo Pelini. What Bo has accomplished in the Big 12 really doesn't translate to the Big 10, especially with the schedule that Nebraska will be playing the next 2 years.
ReplyDeleteIf after Nebraska's first two years in the Big 10, Bo has the same kind of success that he had in the Big 12, then yes, you can put Bo in the upper half of Big 10 coaches.
GO HUSKERS!