Ranking all 18 Big Ten defensive coordinators entering 2025 football season

The countdown to the 2025 college football season continues.

Only three weeks remain until Iowa State and Kansas State kick off Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland.

Just five days later, on Thursday, Aug.

28, Wisconsin will begin its 2025 campaign with a home matchup against Miami (OH).The list of storylines persisting through Wisconsin's preseason preparation is almost too long to count.

Questions exist surrounding the program's new-look offensive scheme, its transfer-heavy defensive front seven and, most notably, whether roster upgrades are enough for the team to contend against the nation's toughest schedule.One under-the-radar story is the program's overall defensive performance.

Head coach Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel each have long track records of success on that side of the football.

While that history gives the coaches the benefit of the doubt, their unit's form plummeted as the 2024 season continued.

The headline of those struggles: allowing a total of 110 points in losses to rivals Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota.

That's 36.67 points allowed per game to three of the Big Ten's bottom-tier offenses.Position Previews: Overall Offenses -- Quarterbacks -- Running Backs -- Wide Receivers -- Tight Ends -- Offensive Lines -- Overall Defenses -- Defensive Lines -- Pass-Rushers -- Inside Linebackers -- Cornerbacks -- Safeties -- Secondaries --Special TeamsUnitsCoaching Staff Previews:Head Coaches -- Offensive CoordinatorsWisconsin will need a resurgent season on the defensive side of the football for the team to have any chance at eclipsing its win total from a season ago.

Now, before that quest begins, where does Tressel rank compared to the rest of the Big Ten's defensive coordinators?After analyzing offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes' Big Ten standing earlier this week, here is how the Big Ten's 18 defensive coordinators stack up entering the 2025 season.18.

John Butler (Nebraska Cornhuskers)Recent coaching stops: Buffalo Bills DBs coach (2018-23), Nebraska secondary coach (2024), Nebraska DC (2025-present)Some coordinators on this list are tough to evaluate entering the 2025 season; Butler is one of them.

He was promoted to defensive coordinator after one year with the program.

He has extensive experience coaching linebackers and the secondary, though he doesn't have a track record as a DC.

His standing will become more clear as the 2024 season plays out.Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire17.

Tim McGarigle (Northwestern Wildcats)Recent coaching stops: Northwestern LBs coach (2018-23), NW DC/LBs coach (2024-present)McGarigle stepped into Northwestern's DC position last season after six seasons with the program.

The team finished just 13th in the Big Ten in total defense (361.8 yards per game) and 16th in scoring defense (26.3 points).

The program great will be expected to lead a turnaround in 2025.

At the least, Northwestern always seems to boast a stout defense.16.

Michael Sherer (Purdue Boilermakers)Recent coaching stops: Arkansas LBs coach (2021-22), UNLV DC/LBs coach (2023-24), Purdue DC (2025-present)Sherer has more of a track record than Butler -- he was UNLV's DC in 2023 and 2024.

After an average finish in 2023 (ninth in the Mountain West in total defense, seventh in scoring), the unit broke through in 2024.

It led the conference in points allowed per game (21.3) and finished second in total defense (350.9).

The Boilermakers are nearly guaranteed not to replicate that production, with as many as eight transfers set to start.

But Sherer can quickly improve his standing if he leads a defensive turnaround.15.

Danny Collins (Minnesota Golden Gophers)Recent coaching stops: Minnesota safeties coach (2022-2024), Minnesota DC/S coach (2025-present)Minnesota should have high expectations on the defensive side of the football after finishing 2024 in the top five of the Big Ten in both points allowed and total defense.

However, ace defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman left for Miami this offseason, leading to Collins' promotion.

He's a bit of an unknown in the DC position after several years coaching the Gophers' safeties and secondary.14.

Ikaika Malloe (UCLA Bruins)Recent coaching stops: Washington DL coach (2016-20), Washington OLBs coach (2021), UCLA ST coordinator/OLBs coach (2022), UCLA DL coach (2023), UCLA DC/ILBs coach (2024-present)Malloe was promoted to defensive coordinator after the 2023 campaign.

His defense delivered an average season, finishing 11th in the Big Ten in total defense (340.8 yards per game).

While some of the numbers are less than stellar, the team played some of the top offenses in the sport, including Indiana, LSU, Oregon and Penn State.

A step forward in 2025 could lead Malloe to rise quickly.Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire13.

Aaron Henry (Illinois Fighting Illini)Recent coaching stops: NC State CBs coach (2018-19), Vanderbilt CBs coach (2020), Illinois DBs coach (2021-22), Illinois DC (2023-present)Henry's position on this list is somewhat speculative.

Illinois finished 2023 ranked 12th in the 14-team Big Ten in scoring defense (29.4 points per game) and 11th in total defense (377.3).

It then took a major step forward in the scoring department in 2024, finishing ninth in the 18-team conference (21.7 points allowed per game).

The Illini will need to take a further step forward for Henry to validate his position as a rising name at the position.12.

Ted Monachino (Maryland Terrapins)Recent coaching stops: Chicago Bears OLBs coach (2019-20), Atlanta Falcons OLBs coach (2021-22), North Carolina analyst (2023), UNC DL coach (2024), Maryland DC (2025-present)Monachino is a coaching veteran with experience as a defensive coordinator, leading the Indianapolis Colts' defense in 2016 and 2017.

He's also coached various defensive positions in the NFL and college for the better part of 26 years.

He's a similar hire to Pep Hamilton -- Maryland's offensive coordinator.

Head coach Mike Locksley is betting on extensive experience as the team looks for answers after a 4-8 campaign.11.

Matt Patricia (Ohio State Buckeyes)Recent coaching stops: Detroit Lions head coach (2018-20), New England Patriots senior advisor (2021-22), Philadelphia Eagles defensive assistant (2023), Ohio State DC (2025-present)Patricia has big shoes to fill in Columbus, taking over for ace defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

He obviously has a fantastic track record from coaching under Bill Belichick in New England for 11-plus seasons.

This stint with the Buckeyes is important for the veteran coach, as he hasn't found much success since leaving the Patriots for the Detroit Lions' head coaching job in 2018.Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire10.

Mike Tressel (Wisconsin Badgers)Recent coaching stops: Michigan State DC/LBs coach (2018-2019), Michigan State safeties coach (2020), Cincinnati DC/LBs coach (2021-2022), Wisconsin DC (2023-present)Tressel's track record as a defensive coordinator stacks up favorably against most others in the conference.

However, Wisconsin has struggled on that side of the football since his arrival.

The 2023 Badgers finished ninth in the 14-team Big Ten with 344 yards allowed per game, while the 2024 team was 12th in the 18-team conference with 342.7 yards allowed per contest.

As mentioned, those struggles primary occurred late in the season, when the team allowed 42 points to Iowa and 44 to Nebraska.

Tressel's unit will need a statement season for him to return to a high ranking.9.

Robb Smith, Zach Sparber (Rutgers Scarlet Knights)Smith is a well-traveled defensive coordinator, having led defenses at Rutgers, Arkansas, Minnesota and Duke.

Sparber has less experience.

He coached linebackers for a strong James Madison defense in 2024.

He's a rising name in the profession and should benefit from coaching with two experienced defensive coaches in Smith and Greg Schiano.8.

Ryan Walters (Washington Huskies)Recent coaching stops: Illinois DC (2021-22), Purdue head coach (2023-24), Washington DC (2025-present)Walters' head coaching track record is quite poor -- he went just 5-19 in two years at Purdue, including 1-11 in 2024.

However, Walters has a terrific track record as a defensive coordinator.

He led the Fighting Illini defense to allow a Big Ten-low 12.8 points per game in 2022.

That unit also finished second in the conference in total defense (273.5 yards allowed per game).

Washington provides Walters a strong bounce-back opportunity.

2025 will be an important year in that regard.Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire7.

Joe Rossi (Michigan State Spartans)Recent coaching stops: Minnesota DC/LBs coach (2019-23), Michigan State DC (2024-present)Rossi's Michigan State defense finished 10th in the Big Ten in total defense (332 yards per game).

Spartans fans are expecting a major step forward in 2025, especially given Rossi's strong track record at Minnesota from 2019-23.

Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire6.

Bryant Haines (Indiana Hoosiers)Recent coaching stops: James Madison co-DC/LBs (2019-21), JMU DC/LBs (2022-23), Indiana DC/LBs (2024-present)Haines was a big part of Indiana's program-best season in 2024, leading his defense to top-two finishes in the Big Ten in both points and yards allowed per game.

Just like on the offensive side of the ball, 2025 will be about Haines' defense validating that output.

Another top finish could lead to an even further rise.5.

D'Anton Lynn (USC Trojans)Recent coaching stops: Houston Texans secondary coach (2020), Baltimore Ravens safeties coach (2021-2022), UCLA DC (2023), USC DC (2024-present)Lynn will be expected to deliver strong results in 2025.

He led the Trojans to a significant improvement in his first year at the helm, lowering their points-allowed-per-game total from 34.4 to 24.1 and their yards-allowed-per-game total from 432.8 to 377.1.

Another big step forward is necessary if USC is to realize its potential under Lincoln Riley and contend for a College Football Playoff berth.Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire4.

Tosh Lupoi (Oregon Ducks)Recent coaching stops: Cleveland Browns DL coach (2019), Atlanta Falcons DL coach (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars DL coach (2021), Oregon DC/LBs coach (2022-present)While Lupoi coaches under a top defensive head coach in Dan Lanning, he deserves credit for Oregon's terrific output on that side of the football.

Lupoi led the Ducks, who have at times struggled to complement their top-ranked offensive production with strong defense, to a No.

6 finish in the Big Ten in both points (19.4) and yards allowed per game (315.9).

Those totals were even a slight step backward from the program's top-ranked 2023 unit, which allowed just 16.5 points and 318.4 yards per contest.

2025 will be an interesting test after significant roster turnover.

But Lupoi and Lanning again have the program in position to deliver strong results.Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire3.

Wink Martindale (Michigan Wolverines)Recent coaching stops: Baltimore Ravens DC (2018-2021), New York Giants DC (2022-2023), Michigan DC (2024-present)Martindale is one of the top defensive coordinators in football, regardless of level.

His time with the Ravens cemented that status.

While he hadn't coached college defense in more than 20 years, Martindale's first season at Michigan was a clear success.

Michigan finished fifth in the conference in total defense (307 yards allowed per game).

After an up-and-down start to the year, the unit held Northwestern, Ohio State and Alabama to six, 10 and 13 points, respectively, during the last three weeks of the year.

That end-of-year performance has expectations high entering 2025.Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire2.

Jim Knowles (Penn State)Recent coaching stops: Oklahoma State DC (2018-2021), Ohio State DC (2022-24), Penn State DC (2025-present)Knowles' move from Ohio State to Penn State is one of the more underrated important storylines of the offseason.

Knowles has been one of the top coordinators in college football for years, validating that standing by helping lead the Buckeyes to the national title.

It's reasonable to expect similar results in Happy Valley.

Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire1.

Phil Parker (Iowa Hawkeyes)Recent coaching stops: Iowa DC/DBs coach (2012-present)With Jim Leonhard still coaching at the NFL level, Parker is the clear top defensive coordinator in the Big Ten, and arguably in all of college football.

Here are Iowa's last 10 national finishes (2015-present) in scoring defense: 19th, 13th, 17th, 11th, 5th, 6th, 13th, 2nd, 4th and 11th.

Keep in mind, most of those totals were delivered while the team's offense ranked near the bottom of the nation.

Parker's Iowa defense is one of the few guarantees in college football.

It's projects to again be great in 2025.

Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes WireContact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinionThis article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Power ranking Big Ten defensive coordinators entering 2025 season.

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