Those of us that live in Big Ten country always want to support the Buckeyes and our conference. As we should, even though we are disappointed in OSU's recent Bowl failures. When I say bowl failures, I am not just talking about the Buckeyes. Although we have lost in our last three post-season appearances, there is no shame in losing to perennial powerhouses like Florida, LSU and Texas. It is the conference as a whole that is disappointing, going 1-6 last year alone. Meanwhile our brethren in the SEC were their usual 6-2, including boasting the top school in the country. What makes them different, what makes them winners? Is it that obnoxious chant of "S - E - C" the crowds roar at the end of bowl games. Of course maybe we would chant "B - I - G - 10", if we were every winning at the end of a game. I think it is something much more basic .... leadership. Leadership that starts at the top, the head coach.
Let's face it, the coaching pool runs rather shallow in the Big Ten. Clearly Coach Tressel is the class of the conference. His 218 wins ranks fourth overall for active coaches, just one behind Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer. Including his time at YSU, he has 5 national championships to his credit. Brent Baver already pointed out in his 2009 preview article that the last three years, there is no school in the conference that even comes close. Of course, we also have Joe, who is the winningest coach of all-time. He has 5 undefeated seasons that he did not win National Championships, but will be a legend for all time.
After that it gets very tough to determine who is even a third best coach in the conference. Everyone, including he NFL has loved Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), mostly due to three strong years early in his tenure with the Hawkeyes. But he has really dropped of late and is only 70-53 overall. Ron Zook's (Illinois) name comes to mind but now you are talking about a coach that is 41-44, and 0-3 in bowl games. Mark Dantonio (Michigan State) is perhaps another up and comer but again, his 34-27 record still needs some work. Same with Bret Bielema (Wisconsin), who started strong with Barry's players his first year, has dropped to 9-4 and 7-6 the last two years. Do we need to even mention Rich Rodriguez?
In contrast, the SEC is loaded with top notch (and well paid) coaches. It has to start with Urban Meyer (Florida). In addition to being Kirk Herbstreit's prediction to replace Coach Tressel in Columbus, he has won two of the last three BCS championships, is 5-1 in bowl games, and is 83-17 as a head coach. The Gators will be a heavy favorite to repeat as champions this year and is more due to Meyer than Tebow. The conference also includes Nick Saban (Alabama) fresh from the NFL. He has a National Championship while coaching the Tigers in Baton Rouge, spent two years with the Dolphins and has an overall record of 150-50-1. He has resurrected the Tide in just two years and they should compete with Ole Miss this year for a return turn shot in the SEC Championship game.
Speaking of the Tigers, you have to include Les Miles (LSU) in the list of elite SEC coaches. You may not give him full credit right off, but keep in mind he has a championship trophy in his office and has an incredibly respectable 70-32 record. Considering he spent the first have of his career in Stillwater coaching the Cowboys, it makes his near 70% winning percentage even more impressive. And let us not forget the Ol' ball coach, Steve Spurrier (South Carolina). His 170 wins tops all other peers in the conference, and he won one of the last pre-BCS Championships. He has not yet made the Gamecocks a true threat, he has had them in a bowl game three of his first four years. For a list like this you really need to include Mark Richt (Georgia) and Bobby Petrino (Arkansas) as well. Richt has compiled an impressive 82-22 record since leaving FSU, has signed a $2.8 million a year contract through 2013 and has been SEC Coach of the year three times. Petrino bailed on his NFL error and has returned to the NCAA where he has been 46-16, and back coaching at the level where he will excel. With the money the coaches make in this conference of course they are going to win.
Both the Big Ten and the SEC send a lot of boys on to the NFL, many go very high in the draft. After all, isn't that what college is all about, getting prepared for your profession? So why then, if both conferences have top athletes, why does the Big Ten struggle? I say it is the coaches, what do you think?
Gregg
* * * * * * * * * * READER COMMENTS * * * * * * * * * *
From RALPH.NOWLAN: (July 14th, 2009)
Gregg ... living smack dab in the middle of SEC country and a die hard Buckeye fan, I can tell you that life is not easy when it comes to football. But your editorial caught my eye and would like to give you a take from one not as smart as the coaches but can see a big difference.
I do not believe it is as much talent of the players as it is the coaching. The Big Ten still wants to play smash mouth football and the era has passed us long ago. I have seen some changes in Big Ten football and had high hopes of bigger changes when Coach Tressel came to Columbus. It is coming, but not as soon as I had thought. The Big Ten has got to open up their game more, we are too predictable. If I can sit and call 8 out of 10 plays the Bucks run during a game, do you think these high paid Def Cor can not do the same and more? We have to learn to open it more and be more unpredictable on our play calling. That is about it in a nut shell, the Big 10 has the horses and talent, but we seem to fall short in putting it all together.
Also, on the bowl games ... It is difficult enough playing for a Championship, but when you have to play that Championship game in the opponents backyard, and in the climate they are use too, that makes the Big 10's job a lot tougher. I have yet to find 1 SEC fan that would want to come to Cleveland or Randall Stadium, in WI to play in the National Championship game. I know it is a light excuse, but weather change from freezing to suntan time is not easily overcome in a couple of weeks, not to mention the humidity on top of that.
I am thankful for your Buckeye 50 Editorial's and the time you all put into this. It is my little Heaven away from all this SEC talk I have to listen too (HA!) Our day will come, then you will hear the biggest whining and crying of how we cheat, you have ever heard, that is one thing that the SEC is good about, they are the greatest walking the earth when they are on top, but very poor/sore losers.
Thanks again
Ralph
From NJBUCKFAN: (July 14th, 2009)
Gregg, nice article on the sec-b10 coaches, Andrew
Editorial: SEC IS Better Than Big Ten
By Gregg Watson
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July 12th, 2009
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