Ranking all 14 Big Ten head coaches entering 2023 season

9. Mel Tucker, Michigan State

Tucker has plenty of experience as a coach, but the jury is still out on whether or not he can get Michigan State to the next level. The former Wisconsin defensive back began his coaching career as a grad assistant with the Spartans in 1997, and later returned to the Big Ten with Ohio State before jumping to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears as a defensive backs coach, defensive coordinator, and interim head coach with the Jags in 2011. 

After returning to the college game with Alabama and Georgia, Tucker served as head coach for one season at Colorado before making the jump back to the Big Ten with Michigan State. His tenure started out rocky in 2020, but Tucker proved potential in 2021 with an 11-2 season that ended in a Peach Bowl victory. After going just 5-7 last year, he will look to rebound again with a young roster in 2023.