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Cal Athletic Director Jim Knowlton will retire on July 1, after serving in the position for seven years. Rather than hiring externally to replace Knowlton, Chancellor Rich Lyons stated in an email to the campus community that he will establish a “new leadership structure” and appoint current Deputy Athletic Directors Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O’Neill as co-athletic directors.

DEEP DIVE

Big Ten Coaches Hot Seat Rankings Preseason 2025

The expanded Big Ten has created a pressure cooker unlike anything college football has ever seen. With 18 teams battling for supremacy in the nation's most competitive conference, coaches who once felt secure now find themselves fighting for their professional lives. From Maryland's Mike Locksley desperately needing bowl eligibility to save his job, to Oregon's Dan Lanning riding high after a championship season, the spectrum of pressure across the conference tells the story of modern college football's unforgiving landscape. Here's how we rank every Big Ten coach based on their hot seat temperature heading into 2025.

1. Mike Locksley - Maryland

Mike Locksley is officially on the hot seat after a disastrous 4-8 season that triggered a mass exodus of 21 players to the transfer portal.

• The Great Roster Reset: Locksley brought in 16+ transfers targeting immediate needs, including quarterback Justyn Martin from UCLA and receiver Jalil Farooq from Oklahoma, while abandoning his previous "developmental program" philosophy with the admission: "As I've learned with the new landscape we're in, you don't have time to develop."

• Schedule Lifeline: The 2025 slate is a gift from the football gods with no Ohio State, Penn State, or Oregon while featuring three extremely winnable non-conference home games, creating a clear path to the six wins Locksley desperately needs.

• Quarterback Battle Defines Everything: The competition between transfer Justyn Martin and five-star freshman Malik Washington will determine whether Maryland's top-15 passing offense can overcome the defensive struggles that allowed 30.4 points per game.

• NFL Coaching Gamble: Locksley hired offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton (who developed Justin Herbert, C.J. Stroud, and Andrew Luck) and defensive coordinator Ted Monachino, bringing 31 combined years of NFL experience to accelerate player development.

• Win-or-Go-Home Reality: USA Today ranked Locksley 16th among Big Ten coaches, and the prevailing consensus among insiders is that Maryland needs at least 7-8 wins for him to keep his job, making this his last stand after 33-41 overall record.

If Maryland doesn't reach bowl eligibility with this favorable schedule, Locksley will update his resume on December 1st.

2. Luke Fickell - Wisconsin

Luke Fickell faces a career-defining year after his "Air Raid experiment" with Phil Longo flamed out quickly, leaving the Badgers with a 13-13 record through two seasons.

• The Offseason Admission of Failure: Out went Longo and in came Jeff Grimes from Baylor. At the same time, the quarterback room was wiped clean with Billy Edwards Jr. transferring in from Maryland and Danny O'Neil following from San Diego State in a targeted reset.

• Schedule from Hell: Wisconsin's 2025 schedule might be the toughest in school history, with road games at Alabama, Michigan, and Oregon, plus home games against Ohio State. Nine opponents rank in the top 40 nationally, and Vegas sets the win total at just 5.5.

• Portal Chaos: Wisconsin signed the No. 14 portal class nationally, but the talent out was arguably better than the talent in, with none of their incoming transfers making ESPN's top 100 while two departing players did.

• Defense Still Searching: The numbers don't lie with 342.7 yards allowed per game, just 17 sacks across 12 games, and being outscored 72-15 in fourth quarters of their seven losses, showing no clear identity or toughness.

• Bowl Game or Bust: As Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports said, "It's bowl game or bust for Fickell. Anything less is probably not enough to keep him in Madison," reflecting the reality that this is Wisconsin's most important season in decades.

The margin is gone, and this season will decide everything for a program that's lost what made it special.

3. Lincoln Riley - USC

Lincoln Riley's $500 million gamble enters its most critical phase as the Trojans' massive investment demands championship returns despite his team regressing each year since 2022.

• The Notre Dame Heist: USC poached general manager Chad Bowden for $1 million annually, immediately securing the #1 recruiting class for 2026 and shifting toward a California-first strategy, with Bowden declaring: "We're going to major in high school recruiting and minor in the portal."

• Defensive Revolution Under Lynn: D'Anton Lynn transformed USC from allowing 34.4 points per game in 2023 to 24.1 in 2024, representing over 10 points per game improvement and one of the most dramatic single-season defensive turnarounds in college football history.

• The Maiava Moment: Quarterback Jayden Maiava went 3-1 in his final four starts, including a clutch game-winning touchdown against UCLA, providing the dual-threat ability Riley's offense desperately needed while completing 65% of passes with 7 TDs and 3 INTs.

• Troubling Offensive Trends: Riley's recent pass-heavy tendencies represent a concerning departure from his success at Oklahoma, as he has gone 0-3 in games where quarterbacks have thrown 50 or more times. Notably, he called 51 passes versus 21 rushes against Michigan.

• Investment Pressure: With over half a billion dollars invested in football infrastructure and Riley's $80-90 million buyout providing job security, Athletic Director Jen Cohen's confidence reflects the ultimate test of whether unlimited resources can overcome strategic missteps.

Although Riley won't be fired due to his massive buyout and highly regarded 2026 incoming recruiting class, anything less than eight wins will intensify the pressure around a program that expects championship returns on its historic investment.

4. DeShaun Foster - UCLA

DeShaun Foster faces a career-defining season as he bets his coaching future on college football's most aggressive transfer portal experiment.

• The $25 Million Gamble: Former Tennessee star Nico Iamaleava represents a program-changing transfer that instantly elevates UCLA's offensive ceiling after the Bruins ranked 126th nationally in scoring offense.

• Portal Revolution: UCLA leads college football's free agency with 29 incoming transfers and 34 departures, essentially rebuilding their identity from scratch while adding offensive genius Tino Sunseri from Indiana's explosive 41.3 PPG attack.

• Schedule Runway: Three winnable non-conference games plus targeted Big Ten matchups against Northwestern, Maryland, and Nebraska provide a realistic path to bowl eligibility for a program transitioning from rebuilding to relevant.

• Year Two Pivot: Foster abandoned his initial developmental approach for an immediate-impact strategy, recognizing that modern college football doesn't allow time for patient building in the expanded Big Ten.

• Ultimate Experiment: The 2025 Bruins represent college football's most fascinating test case of whether you can shortcut a rebuild through the transfer portal and jump from 5-7 to bowl eligibility in one offseason.

Foster's willingness to gamble everything on transfers will either validate his vision or end his head coaching career before it truly begins.

5. David Braun - Northwestern

David Braun's honeymoon officially ended after last season's 4-8 regression, making 2025 a make-or-break year for his vision in Evanston.

• The Preston Stone Resurrection: SMU quarterback Preston Stone (13-3 as a starter, 3,197 yards, 28 TDs in 2023) represents Northwestern's best hope for offensive relevance after ranking 111th nationally in passing with just seven touchdown passes all season.

• Offensive Line Overhaul: The Wildcats completely rebuilt their disaster of an offensive line through the portal, adding 6-8, 340-pound tackle Xavior Gray from Liberty and multiple experienced pieces to protect Stone from the 23-sack nightmare of 2024.

• Schedule Brutality: Road games at Penn State, Nebraska, USC, and Illinois, while hosting Oregon, UCLA, Michigan, and Minnesota, create a gauntlet where bowl eligibility requires multiple upsets and zero bad losses.

• Defensive Concerns: While pass rusher Aidan Hubbard returns with 6.0 sacks, Northwestern lost their top two interception leaders and still allowed 222.8 passing yards per game in a Big Ten loaded with elite aerial attacks.

• Volatility Pattern: Northwestern has exhibited a pattern of alternating between division titles and bowl wins (2018, 2020, 2023) and seasons with three or fewer wins (2019, 2021, 2022, 2024), putting pressure on Braun to prove 2023 wasn't a fluke.

Northwestern is undoubtedly better than last year's debacle, but "better" might only mean 5-7 instead of 4-8, given the unforgiving conference slate ahead.

6. Sherrone Moore - Michigan

Sherrone Moore enters his second season with expectations higher than ever, but 2025 will represent the ultimate referendum on his leadership, distinct from Jim Harbaugh's legacy.

• The $25 Million Freshman: Five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit and highest-rated signee in Michigan history, is widely expected to start immediately, carrying immense opportunity and pressure for a program desperate to improve its 131st-ranked passing attack.

• Offensive Metamorphosis: New coordinator Chip Lindsey from North Carolina brings a track record of balanced, explosive attacks after his 2023 UNC offense was one of only two nationally to average at least 290 passing yards and 190 rushing yards per game.

• Defensive Foundation: Despite losing Mason Graham, the defense that allowed just 19.9 points per game returns stalwarts like Rayshaun Benny, Derrick Moore, and Jaishawn Barham under Wink Martindale's continued leadership.

• Schedule Challenge: The brutal slate includes no consecutive home games, early road tests at Oklahoma and Nebraska, and a season finale against Ohio State after a long, grueling campaign that will test the team's depth and resilience.

• Coaching Evaluation: Moore ranks 14th out of 18 Big Ten coaches in USA Today's rankings, reflecting skepticism about his inexperience despite his recruiting success, while he must also navigate a two-game suspension due to the fallout from the sign-stealing scandal.

For a program with Michigan's tradition, this season will reveal whether Moore is merely a caretaker of Harbaugh's success or a championship-caliber head coach in his own right.

7. Jonathan Smith - Michigan State

Jonathan Smith faces mounting pressure to accelerate his rebuild after a 5-7 campaign extended the program's bowl drought to three consecutive seasons.

• Building Around Chiles: Quarterback Aidan Chiles must improve his decision-making and ball security after completing 2,415 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while achieving a 59% completion rate. Smith emphasizes the need for better red zone efficiency and third-down execution.

• Portal-Powered Transformation: Smith completely revamped the roster with 16+ transfers, including Elijah Tau-Tolliver (1,267 all-purpose yards) at running back, Omari Kelly (All-Conference USA receiver), and multiple defensive additions to address the anemic 19-sack pass rush.

• Schedule Gauntlet: The brutal slate includes road trips to USC, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota, and Iowa, as well as home games against Penn State and Michigan, with five likely preseason Top 25 teams testing every aspect of the rebuild.

• Defensive Rebuilding: Pass rush additions David Santiago from Air Force and Anelu Lafaele from Wisconsin must immediately contribute after MSU generated just 19 sacks in 2024, among the lowest totals in the Big Ten.

• Program Trajectory: Smith is replicating his Oregon State blueprint through player development and strategic portal usage, but Vegas sets Michigan State's win total at just 4.5 games, reflecting skepticism about immediate improvement.

While not on the traditional hot seat, Smith must show tangible progress toward his methodical rebuild or risk questions about whether patience will pay off in East Lansing.

8. Matt Rhule - Nebraska

Matt Rhule enters his third season with legitimate expectations after ending the seven-year bowl drought, but must prove 2024's breakthrough was sustainable rather than an anomaly.

• The Mastermind Arrival: Dana Holgorsen's official hiring as offensive coordinator for two years brings elite credentials, including six seasons averaging top-3 finishes nationally in passing offense and a track record of developing quarterbacks to fifteen 3,000-yard seasons.

• Raiola's Evolution: Sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola dropped 10 pounds through pre-dawn boxing sessions and comprehensive conditioning, with Rhule noting he's "10 steps ahead of where he was" as a freshman in pocket movement and defensive coverage understanding.

• Transfer Portal Excellence: Nebraska assembled one of the nation's elite classes, led by Kentucky receiver Dane Key (1,870 career yards, 14 TDs) and former Oklahoma linebacker Dasan McCullough, addressing specific 2024 roster weaknesses.

• Schedule Advantage: The Huskers avoid Ohio State and Oregon completely while hosting Michigan, USC, and rival Iowa at Memorial Stadium, creating a favorable path to exceed last season's seven-win mark.

• Foundation Building: With tangible progress evident and strategic investments in coaching and talent acquisition, early projections place Nebraska in the 8-9 win range, positioning the program for its most successful season since joining the Big Ten.

For a program with Nebraska's tradition, 2025 represents the potential turning point in their return to national relevance after nearly a decade in the wilderness.

9. Greg Schiano - Rutgers

Greg Schiano's position remains completely secure despite a challenging 2025 outlook, with his contract extension through 2030 reflecting institutional confidence in his steady program building.

• Foundation Strength: Three NFL draft picks in 2025 mark the most since 2013, while consecutive 7-6 seasons and bowl appearances represent the strongest foundation since the mid-2000s peak that put Rutgers on the national map.

• Quarterback Stability: Athan Kaliakmanis returns for his second consecutive year as a starter after throwing for 2,698 yards with 18 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, ending years of position uncertainty that haunted the program.

• Defensive Overhaul: Co-coordinators Robb Smith and Zach Sparber replaced departed coordinator Joe Harasymiak, while portal additions Eric O'Neill (13 sacks at James Madison) and Doug Blue-Eli dramatically upgrade the defensive line.

• Schedule Reality: The gauntlet includes Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, and Washington, with back-to-back road games against Minnesota and Washington testing depth and resilience in what experts call a foundation-testing year.

• Program Trajectory: National analysts note Schiano has "steadily built the program to respectability in the Big Ten" and receives too little credit, with the NFL pipeline strengthening recruiting credibility despite the challenging 2025 projections.

For Rutgers faithful, this season tests whether the foundation can withstand the full weight of Big Ten expectations as the program reaches its highest sustained level since joining the conference.

10. Bret Bielema - Illinois

Bret Bielema enters 2025 with unprecedented expectations and resources after Illinois signed him to a six-year extension worth $7.7 million annually through 2030.

• Championship Legitimacy: Illinois appears in preseason rankings for the first time since 2008, with Fox Sports' Joel Klatt ranking the team at #10, ESPN at #11, and On3.com at #7, reflecting legitimate championship aspirations following a 10-3 breakthrough campaign.

• Altmyer's Return: Luke Altmyer's decision to return for his senior season, rather than enter the transfer portal, might have been the most critical moment for Illinois football in 20 years, bringing back a quarterback with five career game-winning drives.

• Schedule Opportunity: Illinois avoids Penn State, Oregon, and Michigan while getting defending champion Ohio State at home, creating a championship window with early tests at Duke and Indiana defining their trajectory.

• Roster Continuity: The Illini return 16 starters from their 10-win squad, including Citrus Bowl MVP Josh McCray and defensive standouts Xavier Scott and Matthew Bailey, providing rare continuity in the era of the transfer portal.

• Portal Reinforcements: West Virginia receiver Hudson Clement (51 catches, 741 yards) and Ball State's Justin Bowick address NFL departures, while Wisconsin transfers James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal bolster the defense.

The combination of experienced leadership, coaching stability, and strategic additions creates the foundation for Illinois to establish itself as a permanent fixture among the college football elite.

11. Jedd Fisch - Washington

Jedd Fisch has assembled a compelling foundation for success after addressing the glaring weaknesses that derailed Washington's 2024 season, which was marked by inconsistency.

• The Williams Effect: Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. energizes the entire program after his Sun Bowl performance (over 420 total yards, five touchdowns), with Fisch stating unequivocally: "Demond will be the face of Washington football moving forward next year."

• Coaching Revolution: Former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters takes over as defensive coordinator, bringing Big Ten experience and a track record of transforming Illinois from 97th to #1 nationally in scoring defense in just two seasons.

• Systematic Fixes: Washington methodically addressed 2024 problems by adding 18 offensive linemen for spring practice, multiple 310+ pound defensive linemen for run defense, and emphasizing discipline after averaging 5.8 penalties per game.

• Schedule Advantage: The Huskies face five conference opponents coming off bye weeks, but they avoid the conference's most formidable opponents while securing favorable home matchups against key targets.

• Foundation Building: Fisch reflected that "to be around these kids and these guys has just been so special," emphasizing they've "laid the foundation of a team that's going to fight" and compete for playoff games annually.

What makes this team compelling isn't just its potential for improvement, but how it's being systematically built to address every weakness that has prevented success in the past.

12. James Franklin - Penn State

James Franklin enjoys an 85% fan approval rating but faces the ultimate test with a championship-or-bust mentality surrounding the 2025 season.

• Unprecedented Expectations: Following their historic 13-win campaign and College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, Tom Hannifan captured the sentiment perfectly: "I think the general temperature of the room is Penn State needs to win the National Championship in 2025. It's boom or bust."

• Allar's Heisman Moment: Senior quarterback Drew Allar holds +1400 Heisman odds and brings back a 66.5% completion rate with 24 touchdowns, supported by Syracuse transfer Trebor Pena, who led the ACC with 84 receptions for 941 yards.

• Defensive Upgrade: Jim Knowles' hiring as defensive coordinator for $3.1 million represents Penn State's boldest move to secure a championship, bringing innovative schemes and an Ohio State pedigree to replace five NFL-bound defenders.

• Roster Continuity: Penn State's decision to retain 14 starters represents one of the highest totals among power conference teams, providing championship-level experience with returning stars like running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton.

• Championship Infrastructure: Athletic Director Pat Kraft's question was clear: "What is the dollar amount that is going to get us closer to a national title?" with the university providing unprecedented resources and support.

While Franklin maintains strong institutional support and a contract through 2031, his 1-18 record against AP Top 5 teams means 2025 will define both the season and his legacy in Happy Valley.

13. P.J. Fleck - Minnesota

P.J. Fleck isn't on the traditional hot seat but faces a prove-it year as expectations have evolved beyond "pretty good" to genuine Big Ten contention.

• Elite Defense Foundation: Minnesota's 2024 defense allowed just 16.92 points per game with safety Koi Perich's five interceptions anchoring a unit that held opponents to a 59% completion rate, and most of this suffocating group returns.

• Portal Transformation: After losing top receivers Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer, Minnesota landed A.J. Turner from Marshall, Javon Tracy from Miami-OH (57 catches, 818 yards), and Logan Loya from UCLA to completely renovate their offensive weapons.

• Quarterback Uncertainty: Max Brosmer's departure creates a steep learning curve for redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey, with Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron providing experienced competition in a position battle that will determine the team's ceiling for the season.

• Schedule Opportunity: Home games against Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Wisconsin provide clear paths to victories, while road trips to Ohio State and Oregon represent the measuring stick games.

• Program Trajectory: Five bowl wins in six years under Fleck demonstrates sustained success, but as one analyst noted, Minnesota has "failed to win seven or more regular season games only twice in the last six full seasons," creating expectations for continued growth.

The foundation is firmly in place for Minnesota to surpass last season's seven-win mark, with the 2025 season determining whether Fleck can elevate the program to championship contention or risk watching that window close.

14. Ryan Day - Ohio State

Ryan Day's reputation faces its ultimate test after losing 14 players to the NFL Draft, while everyone expects the defending champions to repeat.

• Quarterback Uncertainty: With Will Howard gone after throwing 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns during the championship run, the competition between five-star Julian Sayin and junior Lincoln Kienholz remains unresolved, with quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler saying they're "a long way away" from deciding.

• Coordinator Pressure: Brian Hartline's promotion from receivers coach to offensive coordinator brings immense expectations, as he must game-plan around an unknown quarterback while maintaining the explosive offense that featured first-round receiver Jeremiah Smith (1,315 yards, 15 TDs).

• Defensive Rebuild: Matt Patricia's hiring as defensive coordinator signals desperation after losing the entire starting defensive line, including J.T. Tuimoloau (12.5 sacks) and Jack Sawyer (9 sacks), while trying to replace the #4 scoring defense nationally.

• Schedule Challenge: Opening against Texas on August 30, followed by road games at Washington, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, creates no room for early-season growing pains with a completely rebuilt roster.

• Championship Expectations: Day's ability to manage sky-high expectations while developing unproven talent will define both the 2025 season and his long-term legacy, as repeating as champions with this level of roster turnover would cement his elite status.

If Day succeeds with this rebuild, he'll be considered among college football's elite coaches, but failure will bring back the criticism with a vengeance.

15. Kirk Ferentz - Iowa

Kirk Ferentz faces no pressure on the hot seat, but he must prove that his offensive revolution can finally match the program's consistently elite defense.

• The Quarterback Revolution: Two-time FCS national champion Mark Gronowski from South Dakota State (49-6 record as starter, 2023 Walter Payton Award winner) represents the most significant offensive upgrade Iowa has made in years after averaging just 131.6 passing yards per game.

• Offensive System Overhaul: Second-year coordinator Tim Lester added Warren Ruggiero from Wake Forest as senior analyst to modernize the passing attack, implementing a West Coast system designed to maximize Gronowski's dual-threat capabilities.

• Schedule Gauntlet: Iowa hosts three College Football Playoff teams from 2024 (Indiana, Penn State, Oregon) at Kinnick Stadium, providing chances for program-defining statements while road games test their improved depth.

• Defensive Continuity: Phil Parker's defense maintains its foundation despite losing Jay Higgins and key contributors, with Xavier Nwankpa leading the secondary, and the defensive line development system continuing to produce NFL talent.

• Historical Context: The program hasn't produced a top-35 scoring offense since 2008, but with elite kicker Drew Stevens (40-for-40 extra points) and strategic roster upgrades, expectations center on finally achieving offensive balance.

For Iowa, 2025 represents an opportunity to demonstrate that strategic upgrades can coexist with traditional values as the quarterback revolution begins in earnest.

16. Dan Lanning - Oregon

Dan Lanning enters 2025 with zero hot seat pressure after Oregon's historic undefeated regular season and Big Ten Championship, focused on proving championship sustainability.

• The Quarterback Transition: Five-star transfer Dante Moore from UCLA spent 2024 learning Will Stein's system, with On3 analyst JD Pickell noting: "My biggest takeaway is he is going to be able, I think, to play with better anticipation, having sat for a year. Anticipation in Will Stein's offense = points."

• Recruiting Dominance: Oregon's No. 3 nationally ranked recruiting class features three five-star prospects (most in program history) and 15 four-star recruits, with expert Matt Prehm stating: "They've recruited as well as they've ever done at Oregon."

• Defense Reloaded: Despite sending seven defensive backs to NFL camps, Oregon rebuilt with five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord and safety Trey McNutt, while All-Big Ten edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei returns after 10.5 sacks.

• Schedule Advantage: Avoiding both Ohio State and Michigan in regular-season play removes the conference's biggest threats, with FanDuel setting Oregon's win total at 10.5, reflecting championship-level expectations.

• Championship Window: The expanded 12-team playoff provides multiple paths to success, with Prehm predicting: "I honestly think the schedule sets up where if Dante Moore is as good as we think he is, the backend on defense connects maybe sooner than later."

Oregon's championship window isn't just open but wide open, with the infrastructure and talent in place for sustained excellence at the highest level.

17. Curt Cignetti - Indiana

Curt Cignetti faces zero job security concerns after his historic 11-2 debut, but the 2025 season will determine whether Indiana can sustain elite-level performance or if 2024 was an anomaly.

• Contract Security: Indiana's commitment became crystal clear with Cignetti's eight-year contract, worth $8 million annually through 2032, featuring a $11 million staff salary pool that projects to be among the top five nationally.

• Schedule Upgrade: ESPN's strength of schedule ratings place Indiana at No. 32 nationally (up from 100th in 2024), with road games at Oregon and Penn State providing legitimate tests that will silence critics who questioned their readiness for elite competition.

• Portal Excellence: Fernando Mendoza's arrival from California (3,004 passing yards, 68.7% completion rate) addresses the quarterback position. At the same time, three experienced Power 4 offensive line transfers target the weakness exposed against Ohio State and Notre Dame.

• Defensive Continuity: All-American cornerback D'Angelo Ponds returns after three interceptions, alongside linebacker Aiden Fisher (118 tackles) and defensive end Mikail Kamara (10 sacks), maintaining the core of the sixth-ranked scoring defense.

• Legitimacy Test: Cignetti's famous "Google me" confidence reflects a coach who has never had a losing season in 14 years, but as he acknowledged, "When we played the real good people, we looked a little different."

The 2025 season represents Indiana's ultimate opportunity to prove their transformation from surprising story to legitimate championship contender is sustainable rather than a one-year wonder.

18. Barry Odom - Purdue

Barry Odom faces zero pressure in his first season after inheriting one of college football's most catastrophic programs, with success measured by competitiveness rather than wins.

• Rock Bottom Foundation: Following Purdue's historic 1-11 season, which included a 66-7 home loss to Notre Dame and three total shutouts, Odom's rebuild begins with the understanding that every step forward represents meaningful progress.

• Turnaround Specialist: Odom's track record at UNLV (19-8 in two seasons, back-to-back Mountain West championship games) demonstrates his ability to transform programs, with Athletic Director Mike Bobinski praising his "proven and experienced leadership."

• Total Roster Revolution: Over 50 transfer additions and 15 freshmen create an almost entirely new team, with the biggest win being star running back Devin Mockobee's retention (2,466 career rushing yards, 21 TDs) as the lone offensive constant.

• Schedule Reality: Nine of 12 opponents played in bowl games last year, with sportsbooks setting the win total at 3.5 (tied for lowest in Big Ten), making realistic targets Ball State, Southern Illinois, and perhaps 1-2 conference surprises.

• Cultural Revolution: Odom promised to reflect "Purdue's character, intensity, and no-excuses winning attitude" while building a program "built to last," focusing on establishing a foundation over immediate results.

For Boilermaker fans, 2025 represents hope that rock bottom was the bottom, with Odom's multi-year project beginning the long journey back to respectability.

THAT’S A WRAP

The Big Ten's coaching carousel has never been more unpredictable. While some coaches, like Locksley and Fickell, face potential career-ending seasons, others, like Lanning and Cignetti, enjoy the luxury of building from positions of strength.

The expanded conference format has amplified every strength and exposed every weakness, creating a landscape where yesterday's hero can become tomorrow's cautionary tale. As we've seen across these 18 programs, job security in college football isn't about past accomplishments—it's about what you can prove right now, in this moment, when the lights are brightest and the pressure is suffocating.

Friday, we turn our attention south to the SEC, where the coaching hot seat burns even hotter and the stakes climb even higher.