The identity of football in the Big Ten Conference has classically been rooted in a hard-nosed, defense-first style.
The conference has its high-flying offenses, especially given Ohio State‘s recent history of wide receiver and quarterback talent. But any casual college football fan would point to the Iowa Hawkeyes, Wisconsin Badgers (pre-Luke Fickell) or the Michigan Wolverines when asked what type of program defines the Big Ten.
Related: Big Ten football offensive coordinator rankings for 2024 season
The identity does not mean needing to entirely neglect the offense side of the football like Iowa has in recent seasons. But it commonly means a team built around a strong defense, good play on both lines of scrimmage, a ball-control offensive scheme and an approach where field position matters.
Yes, those programs and teams still exist — some would argue that Michigan being rooted in that philosophy was the reason it won the 2023 national championship. But the Big Ten is in the midst of an identity shift entering the 2024 season and beyond. The additions of former Pac-12 powers USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington have injected the conference with top-end offensive systems and have led to some legacy programs altering their approach (see: Wisconsin).
Related: Ranking the Big Ten head football coaches and starting quarterbacks entering the 2024 season
The new-found emphasis on high-flying offense has the conference now boasting some of college football’s top offensive coordinators. The top-end defensive coaching still exists, but the week-to-week competition just took a big step forward.
That dynamic will be fascinating to track as the 2024 season progresses. Will the season be defined by the newcomers’ top offensive systems, or will the classic defense-first mentality win out?
Defensive coaching will have a significant say in which side of the football defines the season. As we grow closer to kickoff, here is our updated ranking of those top defensive assistants:
(Note: As with the offensive coordinators, some head coaches are the de-facto defensive coordinators as well. This ranking only views the top defensive assistants)
Aug. 31, 2019; Seattle, Washington; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Josiah Bronson (90) celebrates with defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe after a stop against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Previous coaching stops: Washington defensive line coach (2016-2020), Washington outside linebackers coach (2021), UCLA OLBs coach (2022), UCLA DL coach (2023)
The bottom of this ranking mostly consists of coaches without much experience as a defensive coordinator. Malloe has coached on several terrific defenses at both Washington and UCLA. But his unit is a bit of a question mark after top DC D’Anton Lynn left for USC.
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Household Name. New Title.@Coach_McGarigle 👏 pic.twitter.com/I3Nposeppn
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) February 16, 2024
Previous coaching stops: Western Michigan linebackers coach (2012-2015), Illinois LBs coach (2016), Green Bay Packers quality control coach (2017), Northwestern LBs coach (2018-2023)
McGarigle is a program legend and brings a long history of good coaching to the table. The linebacking corps has been Northwestern’s best position under his watch, so there at least is a track record of success.
But the jump to defensive coordinator is a question mark. If the Wildcats continue to excel, McGarigle will shoot up these rankings.
Dec. 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts; New England Patriots linebackers coach Steve Belichick works with the team during warm ups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Previous coaching stops: New England Patriots defensive assistant (2012-2015), Patriots safeties coach (2016-2018), Patriots defensive backs coach (2019), Patriots OLBs coach (2020-2023)
The longtime NFL assistant coach obviously comes from a strong football family. He steps into a significant role at the college level. Although he does not have any direct experience as a defensive coordinator, I’d bet on a Belichick becoming a pretty good defensive coach.
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Purdue Boilermakers defensive coordinator Kevin Kane runs a drill during football practice, Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Northern Illinois tight ends/fullbacks coach (2011), Northern Illinois LBs coach (2011-2014), Kansas LBs coach (2015), Northern Illinois DC/LBs coach (2016-2017), SMU DC/LBs coach (2018-2020), Illinois OLBs coach (2021-22)
Kane has a track record as a defensive coordinator and plenty of coaching experience. But recent results have suffered, including the Boilermakers’ defense allowing 30.4 points per game in Year 1 under Kane and defensive head coach Ryan Walters. Any coach’s first year at a program should be taken with a grain of salt, so Kane could rise with a strong 2024.
The #illini defense has experienced some growing pains in Aaron Henry’s first year as coordinator, some expected & some frustrating. But Bret Bielema remains confident in his young DC.
“Some things you just have to learn by experience,” Henry said.
READ: https://t.co/A8MBXZHqM4 pic.twitter.com/1mVNeyBtRE
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 21, 2023
Previous coaching stops: Rutgers DBs coach (2016), NC State safeties coach (2017), NC State CBs coach (2018-2019), Vanderbilt CBs coach (2020), Illinois DBs coach (2021-2022), Illinois DC (2023-present)
Aaron Henry is one of the rising names in the business after strong seasons as an assistant. His lower ranking is more due to a lack of defensive coordinator experience, and with his one season at the helm being a shaky one (29.4 points allowed per game).
“The second year, you have more cohesiveness.”
🗣️ Brian Williams (@coachwill347), on Year 2 as @TerpsFootball DC
Watch full Maryland tour show ➡️ https://t.co/YzhIaJIIq2 pic.twitter.com/ylFTyr4Xfc
— Maryland On BTN (@MarylandOnBTN) August 11, 2023
Previous coaching stops: UAB LBs coach (2016-2018), Maryland OLBs coach (2019), Maryland DL coach (2020-2021), Maryland DC/DL coach (2022-present)
Brian Williams has led a few solid defensive seasons as Maryland DC. The Terrapins finished 2022 ranked No. 43 in the nation with 23.2 points allowed per game, then finished 2023 ranked No. 40 with 22.5.
It must be acknowledged that being the defensive coordinator at Maryland is a challenge with Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan on the schedule every season (in the old Big Ten model). Williams can take a step forward with a strong showing in Year 1 of the new conference landscape.
#Gophers hire Rutgers linebacker coach Corey Hetherman as their new DC.
He was a DC for 3 years at James Madison before Rutgers.
JM’s defense ranked as one of the nation’s best each season, placing in the top 10 in both total defense and scoring defense all three years. pic.twitter.com/ba6LlzLvMq
— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) January 8, 2024
Previous coaching stops: Northeastern OLBs coach (2010), Old Dominion OLBs coach (2011), Old Dominion LBs coach (2012-2013), Pace University DC/LBs coach (2014), Maine DL coach (2015), Maine DC (2016-2018), James Madison DC/DEs coach (2019-2021), Rutgers LBs coach (2022-2023)
Hetherman is another riser in the sport. He enters his first season at Minnesota after a strong track record of success as a defensive coordinator at James Madison from 2019-2021. The Gophers have been a strong defensive program for years under P.J. Fleck and his staff. That should continue under Hetherman.
Defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak observes warmups before Rutgers University football spring practice at Marco Battaglia Practice Complex in Piscataway, New Jersey, Tuesday April 11, 2023. Tanya Breen-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Maine DBs coach (2011-2013), Maine DC/LBs coach (2014-2015), Maine head coach (2016-2018), Minnesota safeties coach (2019-2021), Rutgers DC (2022-present)
Harasymiak quietly has Rutgers trending toward having one of the Big Ten’s stronger defenses in 2024. The program finished 2023 ranked No. 34 nationally with 21.2 points per game allowed and No. 16 in total defense with 313.5 opponent yards per game. 2024 appears to be even better with most of the group returning.
Rutgers quietly has one of the better coaching staffs in the conference or at least one of the more underrated.
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Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines watches footwork during Indiana football spring practice at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: UC-Davis LBs coach (2016), Elon LBs coach (2017-2018), James Madison DC/LBs coach (2019-2023)
Bryant Haines moves to Indiana with head coach Curt Cignetti after a strong defensive coordinator tenure at James Madison. His defenses allowed only 20.9 and 19.5 points per game, respectively, over the last two seasons, helping lead the team to an overall record of 19-5.
Indiana will lack talent for the start of Haines’ tenure at the school. But he is a big reason Indiana boasts one of the more underrated coaching staffs in the country.
April 13, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Allen gestures during a warmup practice prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Previous coaching stops: Drake DC/LBs coach (2010), Arkansas State assistant head coach (2011), Ole Miss LBs coach (2012-2014), USF DC (2015), Indiana DC (2016), Indiana head coach (2017-2023)
Allen is one of the more accomplished coaches on this list, mostly due to his seven-year tenure as head coach at Indiana. But while he’s a tenured coach, he doesn’t quite compare to the top defensive coordinators on this.
Penn State is a perfect fallback for Allen as he looks for his next head coaching job. The Nittany Lions’ defense should be fantastic again in 2024.
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Wisconsin Badgers defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel runs through a drill during fall training camp at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Cincinnati LBs coach (2004-2006), Michigan State LBs coach (2007-2017), Michigan State DC/LBs coach (2018-2019), Michigan State safeties coach (2020), Cincinnati DC/LBs coach (2021-2022), Wisconsin DC (2023-present)
Tressel has the history as a really solid defensive coordinator. His No. 8 ranking is due more to the quality of the top names on this list than any lack of track record.
Wisconsin’s defense was fine in the transition from Jim Leonhard’s system to Tressel’s in 2023. The group is expected to take a big step forward in 2024 after another productive transfer cycle. Wisconsin returning to the top of the country defensively should see Tressel rise in these rankings.
Michigan State defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, right, talks with offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Maine DBs coach (2007-2008), Maine DC/LBs coach (2009-2011), Rutgers ST coordinator (2012-2013), Rutgers DC/safeties coach (2014-2015), Minnesota quality control assistant (2017), Minnesota DL coach (2018), Minnesota DC/LBs coach (2019-2023)
Rossi takes over Jonathan Smith’s defense in the head coach’s first year at Michigan State after five fantastic years at Minnesota. Before a down season in 2023, Rossi had led the Gophers to finish No. 9 in total defense in 2022 (294.7 yards per game) and No. 6 in 2021 (279 yards per game).
He is one of the better defensive coordinators in the sport and will play a big role in whether the Spartans return to prominence under Smith.
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Blue Team head coach Wink Martindale watches a play during the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Cincinnati LBs coach (1996-1998), Western Illinois DC (1999), Western Kentucky DC/ILBs coach (2000-2003), Oakland Raiders LBs coach (2004-2008), Denver Broncos LBs coach (2009), Denver Broncos DC (2010), Baltimore Ravens LBs coach (2012-2017), Baltimore Ravens DC (2018-2021), New York Giants DC (2022-2023)
Wink Martindale is one of the longest-tenured defensive coordinators in football, regardless of the level. This ranking is due more to a natural readjustment to the college game than anything. If he transitions without any hiccups and brings the Wolverines back to the top of the nation, he’ll start next season toward the top of the ranking.
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So far in media-viewing portions of spring ball, we’ve seen new USC DC D’Anton Lynn primarily working with safeties — asked him ab working with diff position groups. Said he’ll get everywhere, but will be “with the DBs for a majority of it” pic.twitter.com/yzPgwSmDXF
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) March 22, 2024
Previous coaching stops: Buffalo Bills defensive assistant (2015-2016), Los Angeles Chargers defensive assistant (2017), Houston Texans assistant secondary coach (2018-2019), Texans secondary coach (2020), Baltimore Ravens safeties coach (2021-2022), UCLA DC (2023)
D’Anton Lynn is one of the rising star in the profession. The longtime NFL assistant made the jump to the college level in 2023 and led UCLA to the nation’s second-best rush defense (80.8 yards per game) and No. 10 total defense (301.5 yards per game).
Fixing USC’s defense is a substantial task that will not happen immediately. Regardless, Lynn is one of the best defensive coordinators in the nation.
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Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi walks the field during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Cal DL coach (2008-2011), Washington DL coach (2012-2013), Alabama defensive analyst (2014-2015), Alabama OLBs coach (2016), Alabama DC/OLBs coach (2017-2018), Cleveland Browns DL coach (2019), Atlanta Falcons DL coach (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars DL coach (2021), Oregon DC/LBs coach (2022-present)
Believe it or not, but another one of Oregon’s coordinators is one of the rising names in the sport and among the best in the conference. Lupoi won national championships on Nick Saban’s coaching staff in the mid-2010s before testing the NFL waters, then eventually landing back in college.
A disclaimer here is necessary: Dan Lanning is a former defensive coordinator and defensive head coach. But for these purposes, we must also give credit to the top assistant.
Lupoi and Lanning’s defense finished the 2023 season ranked No. 9 in total defense (318.4 yards per game) and No. 111 in rush defense (102.6 yards per game). It projects to be even better in 2024 as the Ducks migrate to the Big Ten. The program is a true national title contender in 2024, largely due to the defensive unit.
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Arizona State Sun Devils coach Tony White talks to defensive back Timarcus Davis (6) during spring football practice on Feb. 6 in Tempe. Rob Schumacher/The Republic-Phoenix
Previous coaching stops: New Mexico LBs coach (2008), San Diego State CBs coach (2009-2017), Arizona State CBs coach (2018-2019), Syracuse DC (2020-2022), Nebraska DC (2023-present)
Tony White joined Matt Rhule at Nebraska and already had the Cornhuskers defense at No. 11 in the nation in total defense in Year 1. The team went 5-7, but allowed only 18.2 points per game (No. 13 in the nation).
White’s defense will be excellent again in 2024. He’ll soon be one of the hotter names on the head coaching market.
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Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker calls instructions out to players during a spring NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at the University of Iowa Indoor Practice Facility in Iowa City, Iowa. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Toledo DBs coach (1988-1998), Iowa DBs coach (1999-2011), Iowa DC/DBs coach (2012-present)
Phil Parker is a perennial pick at the top of any defensive coordinator ranking, especially in the Big Ten.
For context, here’s Iowa’s last decade of finishes in total defense: No. 22 in 2014, No. 22 in 2015, No. 23 in 2016, No. 35 in 2017, No. 7 in 2018, No. 12 in 2019, No. 8 in 2020, No. 15 in 2021, No. 2 in 2022 and No. 7 in 2023.
That is a track record of success. And even with the Big Ten now boasting more elite offenses with the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington, I’d expect Iowa’s success to continue. Parker is a world-class coordinator.
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March 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles watches his team work out during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous coaching stops: Cornell DL coach (1988), Cornell RBs coach (1989-1994), Cornell LBs coach (1995-1996), Western Michigan DL coach (1997-2000), Western Michigan DC (2001-2002), Ole Miss LBs coach (2003), Cornell head coach (2004-2009), Duke DC/safeties coach (2010-2011), Duke DC (2012-2014), Duke DC/ILBs coach (2015-2017), Oklahoma State DC (2018-2021), Ohio State DC (2022-present)
Jim Knowles was a program-defining hire by Ryan Day after the 2021 season. He turned Ohio State’s defense from No. 59 in total defense in 2021 to No. 24 in 2022 and No. 2 in 2023. He already had a fantastic track record, but the instant turnaround in Columbus cements Jim Knowles the best defensive coordinator in the Big Ten, let alone in the entire sport.
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