Worst FB coaching gig in the B1G?

[EvilBetty]

I'd hesitate to include East vs West schedules in your analysis as they will undoubtedly change soon, but whatever. Which is the worst? The poll allows for 2 choices so it's a bit of a ranked choice scenario. I left off the teams typically found at/near the top of each division and yes, this does include iowa).

let's define worst as the place it would be most difficult to win at consistently.

 

[Cychl82]

Nebraska easily

 

[State2015]

Indiana is tough since they're in the east and are the 3rd best FB program in their own state, and too close to OSU and the Michigans to really stand out. And from the outside looking in, the admin really doesn't care about football

 

[aeroclone]

While they certainly have a higher ceiling and better support than many programs in the B1G I think there is a strong case for Nebraska. Their fan expectations simply can not be met in the current CFB environment, and to this point their admin has gone along with it by firing guys like Pelini or Solich who are out there winning 9 games a year. Nobody can last there until the fans and AD realize that their new ceiling looks more like Iowa and not like Bama.

 

[CyCrazy]

Its Indiana.

 

[SCNCY]

I said Nebraska. Reason being that they have high expectations for their program in relation to their current reality.

All of the others, don't have the same expectation of being a blue blood. The next would probably me Maryland, but only because I think their athletic department is financially struggling; but that should change with getting a full share of Big10 revenue now.

 

[iahawks]

I would qualify worst coaching gig to be hardest to meet expectations at. I feel most of those gigs you would be safe if you are making bowl games a few years here and there.

So I vote Nebraska based on that criteria.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

Rutgers. I honestly don’t think they will ever compete well in the Big 10 in football.

 

[enisthemenace]

Nebraska is the popular choice, and probably for good reason. I don’t think Rutgers is that bad because do they really care?? I don’t know.

I voted Illinois simply because I don’t understand how they are absolute garbage every year. I know they have basketball fans and have had success there, but football is awful. They remind me of a less basketball successful Kansas.

 

[Sigmapolis]

Buttgers is the winner. They just have nothing to work with there.

Nebraska is a close second -- not the worst situation compared to some others but the worst misalignment between expectations and the reality of the program's ceiling in 2022.

 

[SCNCY]

Rutgers. I honestly don’t think they will ever compete well in the Big 10 in football.

Their problem consists of Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. So long they are in a division with those three, they won't have a chance unless those programs all have some struggles.

 

[Cycl1]

Its Indiana.

Best tailgating i have ever been to though.

 

[awd4cy]

While they certainly have a higher ceiling and better support than many programs in the B1G I think there is a strong case for Nebraska. Their fan expectations simply can not be met in the current CFB environment, and to this point their admin has gone along with it by firing guys like Pelini or Solich who are out there winning 9 games a year. Nobody can last there until the fans and AD realize that their new ceiling looks more like Iowa and not like Bama.

Unless you are a golden boy. In that case you get 5 years of going 4-8.

 

[awd4cy]

Indiana or Rutgers

 

[JP4CY]

I went with Indiana. Pre new facilities I maybe would have went with NW.
Indiana is surrounded by Louisville, Illinois, Cincy, Purdue, which I all consider to be better jobs.

 

[BMWallace]

I would say Indiana, Rutgers, and Maryland are the bottom 3 because they are stuck in the East. Once divisions are gone, I think it will change a bit. Also, I could see Iowa slipping to Illinois/Nebraska levels in the post-Ferentz era.

 

[Clonefan94]

My reasons for voting Nebraska are what others have posted here. Their expectations are beyond reality at this point and have been for a while.

I can see Rutgers, but you'll get a few years at Rutgers and I don't see anyone ever getting fired because they aren't giving the team Championships as long as they can get some winning seasons under their belt.

 

[enisthemenace]

I would say Indiana, Rutgers, and Maryland are the bottom 3 because they are stuck in the East. Once divisions are gone, I think it will change a bit. Also, I could see Iowa slipping to Illinois/Nebraska levels in the post-Ferentz era.

I don’t know about this. Iowa has a pretty easy formula working for them. There will always be crazy brainwashing in state, and as long as Illinois sucks (along with their entire division), it will be hard to mess it up.

 

[EnkAMania]

Northwestern for me.

 

[DSMCy]

The OP said: let's define worst as the place it would be most difficult to win at consistently.

For that reason I said Northwestern. They are in a city where no one cares about them. Their stadium is a joke (they do have an upgrade planned).
They are darn lucky to have Pat Fitz, but even he has struggled to win consistently.

Rutgers and Indiana make a strong case as well.

Based on the OP, I don't see the answer as Nebraska. With the facilities and fan support they have, it shouldn't be difficult to win there consistently. Pelini had no problem winning consistently.
Being a bad job due to unreal expectations is a different poll/discussion.