The Front Row

Dienhart: Big Ten Assistants Primed To Move Up

A few weeks ago I offered my “dream team” staff of Big Ten assistant football coaches, and I heard back from a number of readers. Following below is my ranking of the top 10 Big Ten assistants who are 50 years old or younger and primed to be head coaches.

2. Luke Fickell, Ohio State defensive coordinator/linebackers coach. He’s the personification of Mr. Buckeye, starring as a nose guard from 1993-96 and serving as an Ohio State assistant since 2002. The 38-year-old Fickell served as interim head coach last season and learned in a trial by fire during a 6-7 season. Now, Fickell is ready.

3. Everett Withers, Ohio State assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator. Few on this list have a more impressive resume than the 48-year-old Withers, who led North Carolina to a bowl last season as interim head coach. A sage defensive mind, Withers has coordinated defenses at Louisville, Minnesota and North Carolina. He also has coached in the NFL with the Saints and Titans, in addition to being an assistant to Mack Brown at Texas.

4. Tom Herman, Ohio State offensive coordinator. In 2003, Herman was receivers coach at Sam Houston State. Now, the 36-year-old is pushing the buttons for an offense at one of the nation’s most powerful programs. Not bad for a guy from Cal Lutheran. Herman first made a name for himself as offensive coordinator at Rice (2007-08) before moving on to work for Paul Rhoads at Iowa State.

OTHERS TO WATCH:
Ed Warinner, Ohio State co-offensive coordinator/line coach, 50

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