The Big Ten is one of the top conferences in the nation and is full of great coaches. Coaches often switch schools, so it's not surprising that the Big Ten is filling several coordinator vacancies this year. Not all of the schools have found a coordinator, but most of the teams are set. With that in mind, here's our try at Power Ranking The New Coordinator Hires In The Big Ten:
11. Will Cubit, OC, Illinois
Cubit will serve as the OC under his father, although head coach Bill Cubit will still call the plays. Nepotism is at play here, and the younger Cubit not calling the plays means this hiring doesn't matter too much.
10. Ross Els, DC, Purdue
This is Els' first DC job. He last coached in college at Nebraska. Last year, Els was a high school coach. It might be a short stay for Els, as head coach Darrell Hazell is starting the season on the hot seat.
9. Terry Malone, OC, Purdue
Malone was the OC for Michigan for nearly 10 years. After 2005, he coached in the NFL before joining Purdue. If the Boilermakers don't turn things around, Hazell is going to get himself fired. Malone needs to get the offense going and quickly.
8. Jay Johnson, OC, Minnesota
Johnson comes over from Louisiana-Lafayette, and he could be a good fit for Minnesota. He was the OC since 2010 and hails from the state of Minnesota. The state for Louisiana-Lafayette weren't that great, but the scheme could be perfect for Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner.
7. Jay Niemann, DC, Rutgers
Rutgers and Chris Ash went young with their OC (see below), but hired the experience Niemann for the DC. Niemann actually coached Ash in college.
6. Drew Mehringer, OC, Rutgers
Mehringer is just 28 years old, making him incredibly young for a coordinator position. He served under Tom Herman at Houston, which is likely a big reason head coach Chris Ash hired him. Ash and Herman coached under Urban Meyer at Ohio State.
5. Walt Bell, OC, Maryland
Bell isn't a well-known name, but he's an up-and-comer. At just 31 years old, Bell has a bright future ahead of him. He's a strong recruiter and a sharp offensive mind.
4. Joe Moorhead, OC, Penn State
Moorhead hasn't been an OC since 2010 at UConn. However, he's served as the head coach at Fordham since 2012 and was successful there. It was a somewhat surprising hire, but a good one.
3. Scott Shafer, DC, Maryland
Shafer wasn't great as Syracuse's head coach, but he's a really good defensive mind. It's a great hire for D.J. Durkin and Maryland. Shafer's experience will only help Durkin.
2. Don Brown, DC, Michigan
Durkin left Michigan, but Jim Harbaugh found a home-run replacement in Brown. He coached Boston College to the No. 1 ranking on defense this season and will have plenty of success with the Wolverines.
1. Greg Schiano, DC, Ohio State
Schiano was linked to several head coaching jobs, which helps his hiring at Ohio State look even better. He's a wonderful defensive mind and his friendship with Urban Meyer is one of the main reasons why OSU was able to land him. The difference between Brown and Schiano isn't great, but Schiano's head coaching background and recruiting ability give him the slight nod.