Best football job in the Big Ten? ESPN says Ohio State is No. 1, Michigan No. 2
ESPN.com says Ohio State is the best coaching job in the Big Ten, followed by Michigan at No. 2.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
But which football spot is better? Michigan or Ohio State?
On the field, the Wolverines lead the Buckeyes 58-44-6. But, according to ESPN.com, that doesn't matter.
In terms of the best job in the Big Ten, ESPN says Ohio State is No. 1 and Michigan is No. 2.
"There's a reason Ohio State can go through a year like 2011 and then hire a coach like Urban Meyer," ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg wrote Tuesday in a ranking of the best jobs in the Big Ten. "Most programs would have been in big trouble. From winning tradition to tremendous facilities to a location in the Big Ten's most fertile recruiting state, Ohio State has it all.
"It is one of the sport's best brands."
Rittenberg outlined his criteria for coming up with the list as follows: tradition, facilities, recruiting location and recent track record.
He's quick to point out that this isn't a ranking of current Big Ten coaches, just the jobs they presently hold.
"No Big Ten program has greater long-term tradition than Michigan, and Brady Hoke and his assistants are showing just how dangerous the Wolverines can be on the recruiting trail," he wrote with regard to Michigan. "Recent facilities upgrades -- stadium, indoor practice facility -- have made Michigan an even better position and certainly a destination job for many coaches."
Penn State, Nebraska and Wisconsin rounded out ESPN.com's top five. Michigan State ranked in at No. 6.
The worst job in the Big Ten?
Per ESPN.com, that'd be Indiana.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Hailmary
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
Just a matter of opinion, if you ask Brady he will say Mich is the best job. Now tress will probably say ohio is the best job but who ya gonna believe, Brady or tress. Then again, urban used to say Florida was the best job untill urban blew a tire. Brady always wanted that Mich. job and as strange as it may seem Brady wanted the Mich job over the ohio job and Brady is from ohio. Well there now I've solved the puzzle, the most stable coach which is Brady Hoke believes the Mich. job wins hands down.
Hailmary
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
Thing is Tom, you and everyone else in the Grand State of Michigan know that Mich. is back as always to being the toast of the state and you know win or lose this year states status in Mich. is back downhill as it always was and always will be minus a once in a great while bump by Mich. You see Tom, state is not that good, Mich just had their bump in the road and oh poor you Tom if not this year then next year, the beat down by Mich. of Mich State will begin and one more thing Tom it's probably time for you to switch your allegiance because the state of Mich has absolutely no chance of a National Title with Mich. State. Sorry Tom, it's as it always was, will be and should be. You have a nice day now Tom, Tick, Tock.
Tom
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
Stable? 47-50 record prior to 2011...clubbed like baby seals by MSU in East Lansing. Hoke is a Joke! No Threat! 3 months and 8 days until beat down #5!
ForeverBlue
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.
This is really not all that surprising to me. Ohio has a rabid football fan base and an administration that both care only about winning. As long as you win, they don't care about anything else. They hired Tressel knowing he was found guilty of major violations on multiple occasions and stood by him until they absolutely had to let him go. And I have nothing good to say about Meyer. He seems as slimy as they come. As for Michigan's basketball violations, I think most Michigan fans will admit that wrongdoing took place and hope that something like that never happens again. The difference between Michigan fans and Ohio fans is that there is still a huge percentage of Ohio fans that believe Tressel did nothing wrong. And don't get me started on the typical SEC fan's "win at all cost" mentality. John Calipari, Cam Newton, etc. etc. etc.
SEC Fan
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.
@rightmind250. I'm guessing they probably don't "buy" anything from Walmart. from the looks of this site...they "buy"..errr...embezzle from Kmart. http://mwolverine.com/Scandals_Michigan.html
rightmind250
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
The big difference? OSU fans can write and chew gum at the same time. We don't drag our knuckles when we walk and we don't buy our gear at Walmart.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
Oh yeah...and the football program is still under probation. ohhhh...but UM is sooooooooo cleannnnnnnn.... dang...there's that fight song playing again....
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 11:59 p.m.
University of Michigan. Home to the "largest financial scandal in the HISTORY of college sports". ...Kept their AD for 10 years after. President still there. University culture????? Wonder what else is hiding in the closet?????
A2Dave
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.
Evidently ESPN only considers the job, not the institution. For consistent excellence, ethos and character, there is no comparison. Period. Brady Hoke has the best job in the Big 10--perhaps in major college FB. We'll see.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:07 a.m.
I'm sure Brady agrees with you. after all...who else would have taken him? I'm guessing even Appalachian State wouldn't have offered him a job...but I be he wishes they had!
81wolverine
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
I don't know how OSU could be the #1 job given he (HC): 1. Would have to work for 2 people like Gordon Gee and Gene Smith 2. Has an alumni and fan base that would be calling for his firing if he lost 2 games in a row to Michigan or had one losing season 3. Must try to play by the rules amidst a culture of looking the other way and winning, whatever it takes. No thanks.
Tom
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.
OSU players all drive much nicer cars...and always have. Michigan is not relevant...where's the threat?
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
University of Michigan. Home to the "largest financial scandal in the HISTORY of college sports".
golfer
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
i agree could go either way. msu must be third?
MSU Dave
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
NEWS FLASH: Money matters most in college football today, and no one in the Big Ten spends as much on sports as Ohio State. That makes it a good job if you're a typically venal hotshot coach. Ditto the talent base, which is indisputably deeper in Ohio than in Michigan. Plus there's no in-state rival, so you can own the state without even trying. Not saying I like the Buckeyes, but in real-world terms they've got some huge advantages.
StopCrying
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
I thought UofM spent and made more than ohio this past year. ohio was leading when they had backdoor merch sales going on.
Tally10
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
IMO, I think Michigan's fan base and alums with a voice tipped the vote in Ohio State's favor. Scandals, you can work through. Internal division, well that's another story ( look at Michigan's past 5 seasons before Hoke ), and you wonder why they couldn't draw a high profile coach, not even from one of their own??? Good thing they drew RR...their perfect scape-goat.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:39 a.m.
@Softpaw. You are absolutely correct! Finally someone on here gets it. The day's of UM are gone gone gone. They've been irrelevant since the BCS eliminated the 100% bias system. and they will continue to be irrelevant as we move forward to the 4 team (and eventually 8 team) playoff system. That's why they have to go thru 3, 4, 5, 6 candidates until they can find there no-name "mich man" to coach them. give the new guy 8 home games and no ranked opponents (well, 2, and they actually beat 1). no respectable coach wants to come to UM...they know all they'll hear is that stupid fight song...must play all games at noon...at home...in perfect weather...and the opponent must play touch football rules...otherwise all the fans start whining for their mother's breasts....don't go against the way things have always been. problem is...the world is evolving and moving past them. SEC...6 championships in a row. Ohhhh...that's right...the only reason UM hasn't won them all is???? ohhhh...everyone else cheats.... so take your ball and go home. The rest of the NCAA has their own balls...
Soft Paw
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 11:32 p.m.
Rich Rod and Hoke were both consolation prizes. They couldn't get their top choices, Miles or Harbaugh, both former players.
Tally10
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
> $300,000.00 -vs- < $650,000.00 That's my point, StopCrying.
StopCrying
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
RR was a high profile coach..he just sucked in the big ten where you need defense and power.
Xgojim
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
Pretty limited set of criteria. How about the kind of athlete attracted to the program? Recent police records of athletes in program? Meaningful NCAA violations? The area where the coach must live? (Columbus over Ann Arbor?? give me a break) This guy at ESPN must have too much time on his hands but unwilling to do his homework. It's good they play the games! (I wonder if this guy consulted the consummate Michigan authority, Michael Rosenberg, about this)
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
Have you guys seen Adam Rittenburg? Let's just say I don't think he's ever played a down of football in his life, all 154 pounds of him. I guess you can spend you life writing about a sport you never played. I find it funny OSU is pegged as the #1 coaching job in the B1G when the two most legendary coaches to ever hold that spot were both fired in disgrace. I wonder if wee little Andy took that into account? World Wide Leader? I don't think so.
Tom
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 2 a.m.
What does Hoke weigh? Borges? Talk about funny..... No threat.
SEC Fan
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
@UMgo. I bring "hate". interesting. all the threads on this site from UM fans consistently bash everyone else...calling everyone else cheaters and thieves, etc. Most items are straight out LIES. I just list FACTS. now, the fact that this crashes your poor little fantasy of how great you think UM is is not my fault. Nor is it my problem that your poor feelings get hurt by it.
SEC Fan
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
oh...and just to prove how "clean" UM sports are, here's a fun read: http://mwolverine.com/Scandals_Michigan.html
SEC Fan
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
@Blue. sorry, I keep forgetting I have to provide links to facts as UM people have their heads in the sand about their own school. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/bigten/story/2012-05-21/fab-five-michigan-banners-ed-martin/55111278/1 paragraph 2.
umgoblue47
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8 p.m.
sec "home of the WORST football scandals in the history of college football"!! (sec fan) is so busy bashing and trashing MICHIGAN he seems to have forgot all the (sec) scandals! just google the ten biggest scandals in modern (sec) football history!! that article only scratches the surface of scandals, corruption and mis-conduct by the (sec). (sec fans) only purpose posting on this site is to bash the U of M, the COACH'S, the PLAYERS, the FANS and anything else he deems bashable! AA.COM should BAN this agitator from posting on this site, he brings nothing to the table except HATE!! no college is perfect, but the sec can't even spell the word "perfect" GO BLUE!!!
Blue Marker
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:23 a.m.
Again with SEC there's no links....just spouting off random thoughts that he's convinced himself are facts. Whatever!
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:55 a.m.
University of Michigan. Home to the "largest financial scandal in the HISTORY of college sports".
StopCrying
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.
I think you meant Adam RittenNerd!
MRunner73
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
Recent track record at ohio suggests that the program has a lot of integrity to rebuild. In this case, disregard tradition and facilities, even fan base. That school is on probation. the pressure is on urban meyer to win and beat Michigan this year. The worst job by far is at Penn State: no more needs to said about them. ESPN's regarding of facilites, location and tradition is way overrated when it comes to some schools in the Big Ten.
Tom
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
Disagree...the pressure is on Michigan to beat OSU whose 2011 team lost more games (7) than they had since '97....1897. Despite being a shadow of their former selves, Braxton Miller had Posey wide open but overthrew him missing a certain TD in the final minute. OSU will roll over Michigan on November 24th...take that to the bank. There is no threat!
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
sorry...hit the post button too soon. and, most importantly, the rest of the world will quit bringing up those silly facts that show you guys are running around without any clothes on...
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:28 p.m.
aawwww...I sorry...have I hurt some poor wolvy feelings? don't worry...we won't make you play any games during your afternoon nap times or in the dark or when it rains. and we'll ask those meany Spartans not to tackle so hard. and we'll make sure the sun doesn't shine in your eyes and you always have the wind at your backs... and, lastly, we'll keep a warm bottle of milk ready for you.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
@Blue. Ok. this is a link I am sure you will trust: http://www.mgoblue.com/genrel/mich-genrel.html It's by date, so scroll down to May 8, 2003. You can read the press conferences from the NCAA, Bill Martin, and Mrs. Coleman. Does it (the timing) make sense? Sure it does. UM and the Big 10 tried their best to cover it up. UM and the BIG 10 launched and "investigation" in the late 90s and failed to find anything of significance... My only point in all of this is the pure hypocracy being spewed here. There has never been a bigger scandal in all of college sports than the "Fab 5" and yet UM kept both their AD and President employed following it. And now you guys post on here how little integrity everyone else has because they don't fire their AD and president... Ok Pot, your turn...
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
Sorry but I'm going to insist on links for back up. You're saying sanctions started in 2003 for Chris Webber in 1991? Does this make any sense, even to you? It's all pointless anyway, neither of us will change our minds on how we feel. The difference I see is I won't be on an OSU web site talking about it : ~ )
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.
@Blue...try reading what I write. I wrote: "wasn't too long ago (what, about 10 years) that the NCAA labeled the UM basketball program as having the "largest financial scandal in the HISTORY of college sports"." NCAA imposed the sanctions on May 8, 2003 while making that statement. That's 9 years ago.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
the UM probation started in 2002 and ended in 2006 (6 years ago). The players may have taken the money in the mid-90s, but UM continued to cover it up. I believe the current university president was around when that UM/Big 10 investigation found "no serious violations". In fact, you guys even let your AD continue in his job until 2010! Now, it makes you wonder about the culture of a university's athletic program when a school has the largest scandal in college sports and yet the AD keeps his job for another decade. And the president is still in hers! and you're calling for Ohio St.'s AD and President to be let loose? So how do you justify calling for Ohio St to let its leadership go yet make no calls for Mrs. Coleman to be ousted? Keep singing that song.
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
"not so long ago"….that funny! Chris Webber came to Michigan in 1991. But what's 21 years between friends. @stopcrying, It's not the tattoo part I have a problem with. It's a coach lying to the NCAA in both written form and verbally. It's a coach who knowingly played players that were ineligible. Yet their fan-base will brag about the '10 "victory" over Michigan and Arkansas.
StopCrying
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
Fab Five was more like 20 years ago...our current basketball coach is on the ethics committee I believe. We served our time and finally have a program being rebuilt. Our minor violations in football consisted of about 20 minutes of over practicing...not selling autographed memorabilia out the back door, paying players, the list goes on. ohio is dirty from the ground up. AD should be fired, President should be fired and urban meyer will probably end up using his escape clause to bail on the program, because he is spineless.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
"that school is on probation." uhh...so is UM... "that program has a lot of integrity to rebuild"... and like UM is so so clean. wasn't too long ago (what, about 10 years) that the NCAA labeled the UM basketball program as having the "largest financial scandal in the HISTORY of college sports". yeah yeah...you can't hear me cause I'm being drowned out by that fight song again....Oh Dave...when you gonna be able to finally pull the plug on that?
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.
i keep hearing that fight song...
GoBigBlue
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 10:37 p.m.
It seems as the season approaches the anger and frustration builds. This is evedent in every new post.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.
@umgo. Is that a threat? You gonma try to hunt me down because i come on here and write actual facts instead of lies like you um fans? Ohh...real "michigan men". But thanks for proving my point.
umgoblue47
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.
i have a fix for your MICHIGAN fight song flash backs(the greatest college fight song ever). . . LEAVE. . . and be carefull your ipo address doesen't hit you on your way out!! GO BLUE!!!
GoBigBlue
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:50 a.m.
Haters gonna hate.
StopCrying
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
hahaha wow what a joke. Working for an out of touch Gene Smith gets the #1 spot in the big ten. Absurd.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:52 p.m.
I don't know why people call that place the horseshoe. It once looked like one, and I remember sitting in near-zero temps in the open bleachers across the mouth thereof with most of the rest of the Michigan fans, but now it has changed. If you look at the view from t he blimp nowadays, it doesn't looke so much like a horseshoe, but it surely looks a lot like, well, a big red fish. Do you know what a bluegill looks like? Well, this is a red bluegill. Just take an hones look next time and you will see what I mean. Michigan has the Big House, and ohio has the Big Red Fish. Or IS one, maybe.
Tom
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.
And prior to the renovations should the Big House been referred to as the tin can?
Yost Ghost
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.
It doesn't look like a bluegill it looks like a toilet seat.
StopCrying
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.
The "horseshoe" has seats that are in a literal blind spot from 80% of the field. That knocks off a few points in the facilities area in my opinion.
BornInA2
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
Columbus: South 'till you smell it, east 'till you step in it. #1 my arse. Hail!
JamesF
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.
ESPN are you serious? Guess they are all about making the money. How can a scandalous school like Ohio be the No. 1 Big Ten coaching job? Not to mention a dirty AD Gene Smith and President Gordon Gee. Not to mention Urban Meyer is also just as sleezy as Jim Tressel. Sorry Rittenberg you are mistaken and naive.
rightmind250
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
I feel your frustration Cliff. You are not dealing with Rhodes Scholars on here. These UM fans are of the walmart variety.
Doug
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
You're right, Cliff. All kinds of press and publicity: Tressel fired for cheating, football players violating the rules, etc.
ted
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 6:29 a.m.
Billy bob cliff did say scandals aside and you still didn't get that.
Cliff
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
Mort, the point of the article is not who stays the longest. It's about the most attractive job that coaches want. A high profile coach wanted to go to OSU not UofM. You are probably right about the tenure of each coach.
Nic
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
Couldn't agree more James. Hit the nail on the head
golfer
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
cliff lets see who stays the longest. my money is on brady not urban. he will be gone in three years. tail between his legs.
umgoblue47
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
COACH BO was a no name coach in 1969 and that worked out pretty well for MICHIGAN!!with COACH HOKE, 3rd time is a charm!! sometimes it's better to wait and get the right fit for your program, we at least learned that from the RR experience. GO BLUE!!!!!!
StopCrying
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
Cliff, probably because Urban Meyer is dirty and he knew Gene Smith was alright with that.
Cliff
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
Maybe you can't read, but I state that "scandals aside" Ohio state gets more publicity than Michigan. Prior to the scandal, they were still competing for national championships and getting more publicity than most schools. Why then would Michigan gets it's 3rd choice and a basic no name coach, but Ohio State gets its 1st choice and most popular coach in america?
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
Yeah, Cliff, I agree. Now, if Michigan could only try to compete and get some good, juicy scandals going, maybe we, too, could have that much publicity. Come on, Brady, get the boys violating a lot of codes and some laws here and there.
Cliff
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.
I believe it is simply stating that scandals aside, Ohio State is the more attractive job than Michigan for potential coaching candidates. Almost no other school in the county gets more press and publicity than Ohio State.
Joshua Nagelkerke
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
Not to mention it's in OHIO.