Top 5 Coaching Trees Among Current Big Ten Football Coaches
The Big Ten boasts some of college football’s most storied programs—and increasingly, its coaching ranks are filled with names tied to powerful coaching trees. As the conference continues its expansion and competitive resurgence, here are the top five coaching trees represented by current Big Ten head coaches as of 2025:
1. Kirk Ferentz (Iowa) – Bill Belichick/Hayden Fry Tree
No coach in the Big Ten has deeper roots than Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, who has been at the helm since 1999. A former offensive line coach under Bill Belichick in Cleveland, Ferentz also traces his lineage back to Hayden Fry, whose coaching tree is one of the most respected in the sport. Ferentz has spawned his own tree, with protégés like Mark Stoops (Kentucky) and Bret Bielema (Illinois) achieving success. His old-school approach continues to anchor Iowa’s identity, while his influence permeates college and pro football alike.
2. Ryan Day (Ohio State) – Chip Kelly/Urban Meyer Tree
Ryan Day combines elements from two offensive masterminds: Chip Kelly and Urban Meyer. A former assistant under Kelly at both the NFL and college levels, Day also served as Meyer’s offensive coordinator before taking over at Ohio State. This dual influence helped shape Day’s modern spread offense and quarterback development approach. Coaches like Jeff Hafley (Boston College, now Green Bay Packers DC) and Corey Dennis (Ohio State QB coach) are early branches on Day’s growing tree.
3. Jim Harbaugh (Michigan) – Bo Schembechler/Bill Walsh Tree
Though Harbaugh is no longer in the Big Ten (having left Michigan for the NFL in early 2024), his imprint remains strong in Ann Arbor through successor Sherrone Moore. Harbaugh’s lineage traces back to Bo Schembechler and Bill Walsh, blending toughness with West Coast passing concepts. His coaching disciples include David Shaw (Stanford), Mike Macdonald (Seahawks DC), and Moore himself, who is now charting a new course at Michigan.
4. Bret Bielema (Illinois) – Barry Alvarez/Kirk Ferentz Tree
A product of both Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin and Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, Bielema brings a power-football pedigree to Illinois. His coaching style and tree reflect Midwestern values—tough defense, ball control, and trench warfare. He’s influenced several assistants who’ve earned FBS opportunities, continuing the legacy of his mentors.
5. Luke Fickell (Wisconsin) – Jim Tressel/Urban Meyer Tree
A Tressel disciple and former Ohio State interim head coach, Luke Fickell built Cincinnati into a playoff contender before joining Wisconsin. He mixes Tressel’s disciplined style with the recruiting and tempo-savvy influence of Urban Meyer. Expect Fickell’s coaching tree to expand rapidly in the coming years.
As the Big Ten grows, these coaching trees will shape the next generation of leaders across college football.
