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Luke Fickell was placed in an extremely difficult position when Ohio State appointed him to take over for Jim Tressel on Memorial Day.

Becoming a first-time head coach is tough enough. Doing so three months before the season after a scandal at a place like Ohio State is even tougher. Inheriting a team without a proven quarterback, without a starting left tackle and a starting running back for five games, and without the team's only proven wide receiver for 10 games ... well, you get the point.

Still, few saw Ohio State going 6-6 this season, the Buckeyes' worst mark since 1999. Aside from a dramatic win against Wisconsin and a three-game win streak midway through Big Ten play, Ohio State had little to celebrate this fall.

Now with Urban Meyer expected to be introduced as Ohio State's next head coach later this afternoon, it's time to take a look at Fickell's short tenure in charge. There's a good chance Fickell leads the Buckeyes in their upcoming bowl game -- he reportedly could stay on Meyer's staff as an assistant -- but it's fair to take a snapshot of his performance in the lead role.

Like many, I was extremely impressed with the way Fickell handled himself in the media spotlight. He was honest and direct, and even showed a bit of emotion, like after Saturday's loss to Michigan. Perhaps it's because he hadn't been a head coach before, but Fickell really seemed to stay true to himself in these situations. He often talked about the importance of momentum -- getting it and then sustaining it -- and the difficulty to keep it this season. These qualities will help him when he gets a head-coaching opportunity -- and he will get one.

As a game coach, Fickell showed his inexperience at times. His teams often started slowly and fell behind. He coached conservatively -- not a surprise for a guy who apprenticed for Jim Tressel -- but it cost Ohio State at times. Ohio State clearly missed the influence of both Tressel and former assistant Darrell Hazell on offensive play-calling, as the offense really struggled until the breakout performance against Michigan. You didn't get the sense Fickell put his stamp on the program on game days.

Ohio State should have won more games than it did, but this was never a championship-caliber team, given the suspensions and Terrelle Pryor's departure.

So what grade should Fickell receive? I'd give him a C. And if I were an athletic director looking for a rising star, I'd put in a call to Fickell.

What grade would you give Fickell?

The fresh faces series continues with an Ohio State Buckeyes team that likely will need some newcomers to fill big holes this fall. These players are true freshmen, redshirt freshmen, transfers or returning players who will take on bigger roles this fall.

OFFENSE: Chris Fields, WR, sophomore, 6-0, 180

There's plenty of opportunity at wide receiver for the Buckeyes, and Fields is one of several young players who figure to play bigger roles this season. Billed by former receivers coach Darrell Hazell as a potential contributor in 2010, Fields recorded only three catches for 22 yards in eight games. He seems to have stepped up his play during the offseason and recorded a 58-yard touchdown reception in Saturday's jersey scrimmage. He joins classmate Corey "Philly" Brown and redshirt freshman Verlon Reed in Ohio State's first crop of wideouts, who will be big factors during DeVier Posey's five-game suspension to begin the season.

DEFENSE: Johnathan Hankins, DT, sophomore, 6-3, 335

Hankins is a big reason (literally) why Ohio State doesn't expect much of a drop-off along the defensive line despite losing Cameron Heyward and Dexter Larimore. Hopes are very high for the massive sophomore, who can be an explosive, difference-making interior lineman for a defense aiming to maintain its standard of excellence. Hankins recorded 16 tackles last season but should log much more playing time this fall and appears to be in better condition to remain on the field longer. He's extremely strong and could command double teams from opposing offensive lines.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Drew Basil, K, sophomore, 6-1, 212

Basil is ready to step in for Devin Barclay, who connected on 20 of 24 field-goal attempts in 2010. The sophomore handled kickoffs last season and recorded nine touchbacks, but his impact will be much more significant this fall. Basil boasts a strong leg and converted four of five attempts in Saturday's jersey scrimmage. He had two attempts last season and both were blocked, but he has had the entire offseason to prepare to be the starter.

More Fresh Faces

• Michigan State
• Northwestern
• Iowa
• Purdue
• Wisconsin
• Penn State
• Nebraska
• Indiana
• Michigan
• Illinois

Keepin' it real.

Next mailblog: Tuesday. Send 'em in.

Eric S. from St. Paul, Minn., writes: I have to disagree with your team secondary rankings in regards to your number two ranked, Ohio State, pick. OSU loses three starters and you place them above such teams as Nebraska and Wisconsin. Last year, Nebraska had a higher ranked pass defense than OSU, return more starting experience not to mention the number one ranked cornerback on your 2011 board while Wisconsin has more secondary players ranked in your top ten (3) than OSU (2). I understand OSU has some highly-touted young(er) players but proven experience should always rank higher than hype. In my opinion, your ranking is a traditional "safe" pick, which at least you admit with your "this is a group the Buckeyes rarely have to worry about, even after losing three starters" comment. This year is not like any other year for the Buckeyes on many levels.

Adam Rittenberg: We'll have to see, Eric. While the NCAA situation certainly is unique for Ohio State, the Buckeyes have dealt with significant personnel losses before, including those in the secondary, and still produced an elite defense. Keep in mind Ohio State gets several key defensive backs returning from injuries: Tyler Moeller, C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant. I think it's very close between Ohio State and Nebraska for the No. 2 spot, and you can make a good case for the Huskers to be higher. Wisconsin, meanwhile, must show the shut-down ability both Ohio State and Nebraska typically display. I like the Badgers' individual pieces, but I worry about what happens if they don't force a bunch of turnovers.

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Vince from San Diego writes: Do you think Darrel Hazel is kicking himself right about now for taking the Kent State job? He had no way of knowing that Tress would leave, but it seemed like he was pretty close the throne while at OSU.

Adam Rittenberg: Good question, Vince. Hazell had no way of knowing things would turn out like this in Columbus, and while he'll be given multiple years to prove himself as a head coach at Kent State, Luke Fickell must impress a lot of folks this fall, under difficult circumstances. Don't get me wrong, it's a great opportunity for Fickell, as it would have been for Hazell, but there's still a decent chance that Ohio State goes a different direction with its coaching staff after the 2011 season. If that becomes true, Hazell would be better off at Kent State.

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Danny from Davenport, Iowa, writes: Adam, I really enjoyed the picks that were made for the legends and leaders all star teams. It was a fun way to mix the two sports and provide interesting off season articles. That being said, I was just curious to see who the both of you would pick to be the head coaches of those teams (assuming it was up to a panel of judges or a voting system.)

Adam Rittenberg: Very interesting question, Danny. I can't speak for Brian, but I'd have a tough time making these choices. If we're going for the most deserving coaches at the moment, I'd go with Mark Dantonio for the Legends and Bret Bielema for the Leaders. Both men led their programs to Big Ten championships last season, ending long droughts (11 years for Wisconsin, 20 years for Michigan State). I know a lot of folks would love to see Joe Paterno coaching the Leaders all-stars, and I'd have no trouble with that. Kirk Ferentz and Pat Fitzgerald also would be interesting options for the Legends. Bo Pelini has done a nice job at Nebraska, but he's new to the Big Ten.

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Eli from New York writes: Can you please not rank Penn State this year? You don't seem to expect much of them right now, and I'd like for it to stay that way. I enjoy it much better when nobody is expecting anything out of us (a la 2005).

Adam Rittenberg: Eli, I won't be ranking Penn State in my preseason Top 25, if that's what you mean. Penn State will appear in any Big Ten rankings, obviously. I see the Lions as a team with the potential to make a significant jump this season. Line play is a big question mark entering the fall, as is the quarterback situation. But I really like what Penn State has at receiver, linebacker, defensive back and running back. The key will be starting strong because the closing stretch is flat-out brutal.

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Wes from North Bend, Neb., writes: Hi Adam, living just an hour away from Lincoln, Nebraska I get season tickets every year. However over the last few years we have been dividing them up among family members. I saw an article that said the game of Neb Vs. Mich state and Neb Vs. Ohio St. were two of the biggest games to watch this year on the big ten. However That was before the coach got fired and the starters got their punishment. I was just wondering if these two games were still the games to see or if not, what games would be on the watch list. Your response will be a great help so I can claim my tickets.

Adam Rittenberg: You can't go wrong with those two games, Wes. Ohio State still marks Nebraska's Big Ten home opener, and it'll be under the lights in a wild atmosphere. I would also strongly consider attending the regular-season finale against Iowa on Black Friday. Not sure if that conflicts with your Thanksgiving plans, but Nebraska-Iowa should be an excellent matchup and the start of an exciting annual rivalry series. It's tough to toss out any one of those three matchups -- can you attend all three?

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Tom from New York writes: Hey Adam, Big MSU fan here and overall fan of colege sports. Anyway, I have a thought concerning the pay-for-play scenario. Has any thought ever been given to deferring payment to players until after they complete thier degree? My thoughts are first and foremost, it would motivate players to receive their degree while allowing players with NFL talent to leave early and leave the money on the table. As far as money while in school the players could borrow against those deferred payments in order supplement their financail needs. In all honesty, I haven't given this too much thought so I'm sure there are several holes in this plan, so that's why I'm turnign it over to you to think about.

Adam Rittenberg: Tom, this is an interesting idea, thanks for sending it in! I'm all for anything that motivates players to get their degrees. I'm a little leery, however, of a system where players who often need money right away have to borrow against deferred loans. Too much can go wrong, and you don't want these guys falling into debt if they fall short of their degrees for whatever reason. Also, I think the deferred payments would have to be significant to provide incentive for the players. Mo' money, mo' problems. The players seem to need these additional funds immediately -- trips home during breaks, etc. -- so I don't know how realistic this plan would be.

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Andrew from Henrico, Va., writes: I know it was published over a month ago, but with ESPN's Pay for Play focus, I think it would be great for a follow-up with Jay Paterno over his Op Ed piece on the NCAA website. Theyre Already Getting a Great Deal) He covers several points of the debate and it would be an interesting read on the Big Ten blog.

Adam Rittenberg: Andrew, not to give too much away, but check the blog late Monday morning. I think you'll like what you see.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It's a moment Luke Fickell will never forget, but he won't let it get the best of him.

No one would fault Fickell if he trotted onto the field Sept. 3 at Ohio Stadium and shouted, "This is awesome!" After nine years as a successful assistant coach for Ohio State, Fickell will take on the head-coaching duties for the first time. For his alma mater. In his hometown.

He'll be a few weeks past his 38th birthday.

Sure, the circumstances are less than ideal. Fickell, recently appointed Ohio State's assistant head coach, will be filling in for Jim Tressel during Tressel's five-game suspension for violating NCAA rules. Fickell would much rather serve in his standard role as co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach when Ohio State opens the season against Akron.

But the chance to lead Ohio State is an opportunity Fickell doesn't minimize.

"It is exciting, it will be exciting," Fickell recently told ESPN.com. "I'm sure there will be a gamut of emotions. But if you let yourself get drawn into those things and have them occupy your mind, that's not what I need to do. One of my strengths is to not allow my mind to be in those types of situations."

Fickell hasn't allowed his mind to shift into head-coach mode. Not yet, at least.

Tressel is leading Ohio State in spring practice, which frees up Fickell to handle his standard duties of mentoring the linebackers and collaborating with coordinator Jim Heacock and the other defensive assistants. Although the team announced Fickell would be handling Tressel's game-day duties before spring practice, there's no rush to get Fickell ready for game day.

"The week of the game," Tressel said when asked when the process would begin. "You don't rehearse anything about the game until the week of the game. We don't do it in spring, we don't do it in preseason. ... There probably will be very little differences before game week."

Tressel and athletic director Gene Smith had discussed promoting Fickell to assistant head coach after Darrell Hazell left for the top job at Kent State. And when Tressel's violations came to light, Tressel and Smith met again and selected Fickell for the interim role.

Fickell said Smith will be involved in getting the entire staff prepared for Tressel's absence.

"With our staff and coach Tress, we'll have a great grasp on how we want to handle things," Fickell said, "play it out and have a plan for adverse things that could arise. I don't know if there's a whole lot of situations that have been like this, maybe at Michigan State when coach [Dantonio] wasn't there this past year."

Ohio State might reach out to Michigan State's staff to discuss how it handed Dantonio's health-related absence last year. Tressel had both Dantonio and Don Treadwell, who filled in for Dantonio last season, on his previous coaching staffs and remains close with both men. Fickell also knows Dantonio well.

Although it's a unique challenge at Ohio State, both Tressel and Fickell expect a smooth transition.

"The first time I was a head coach at Youngstown State, we were starting over how we were going to do things," Tressel said. "That's a little bit more preparation-oriented than if you walked in the door and say, 'We're going to do things like we've always done 'em. I just have to be the one who calls timeout.' He'll do fine.

"Even the greatest artist was a beginner once, and he's going to be a beginner."

Buckeyes players admit it will be odd not seeing Tressel on the sideline. But they have confidence in Fickell.

"Everything will be under control," defensive end Nathan Williams said. "Coach Tressel, he'll have our minds right, and coach Fickell will do a great job being that leader he is."

Some will view the first five games as a preview of Fickell's head-coaching ability. He's viewed as a rising star in the profession and boasts the pedigree, recruiting skills and charisma to succeed in a lead role, perhaps some day at Ohio State.

But Fickell's goal is simple: steady the ship for five Saturdays through some potentially choppy water until the skipper gets back.

"Sometimes adversity only makes you better," he said. "It's going to make me work even harder."

After a tumultuous few weeks, Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes return to the practice field Thursday for the first of 15 spring practices.

Here's a snapshot of the Scarlet and Gray this spring:

The big story: Ohio State begins preparations for life without Tressel and the Tat-5. Although a return to football should be therapeutic for Ohio State, the upcoming suspensions of Tressel and five players, including starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor, hovers over the program. The Buckeyes need to figure out who starts the season at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and left tackle. Co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell will handle Tressel's game-day responsibilities. The most pressing concerns could come at quarterback, where Pryor has been a mainstay since September 2008, and at wide receiver, where DeVier Posey is the only player with legitimate game experience. Although the suspended players will be involved in spring drills, the spotlight certainly shifts to their teammates.

Position in the spotlight: Quarterback. The Buckeyes need a starter for the first five games, and the competition kicks off this spring. Joe Bauserman has backed up Pryor for the past two seasons but needs to show improvement in practice. Sophomore Kenny Guiton and redshirt freshman Taylor Graham also in the mix, but the most intriguing candidate is true freshman Braxton Miller, who enrolled early and will go through spring ball. Buckeyes coaches say Miller will get a real shot at winning the top job, and it will be interesting to see how quickly the heralded recruit catches on.

Coaching changes: Ohio State loses receivers coach/assistant head coach Darrell Hazell, who left to become head coach at Kent State. Tressel looked to Florida's staff and plucked Stan Drayton as Hazell's replacement. Drayton is a strong recruiter who boasts extensive experience coaching running backs, but he'll work with receivers for the first time this spring. The new assistant will be challenged as Ohio State doesn't return much experience at receiver and will be without Posey for the first five games.

Keep an eye on: Running back Rod Smith. The redshirt freshman generated a lot of buzz during bowl practices with his play. If he follows it up with a strong spring, he could emerge as Ohio State's top option at running back during Dan Herron's suspension (and possibly beyond). Running back should feature a fascinating combination this spring with all sorts of backs, but keep an eye on the 6-3, 220-pound Smith.

Spring game: April 23

As the Jim Tressel saga continues to unfold, much of the focus is on big-picture issues that could have an impact well beyond the 2011 football season.

• What will the NCAA decide after its investigation into Tressel?
[+] Enlarge
Greg Bartram/US PresswireOhio State must decide how to delegate the game-day duties of head coach Jim Tressel while he serves a suspension next season.
• How will Ohio State respond to potentially severe penalties and public pressure?
• Are Tressel's days numbered at the helm of the Buckeyes, or will one of the most dominant coaches in Big Ten history survive this mess?

We'll have plenty of time to debate these questions and others, but as Ohio State kicks off spring practice this week, it's time to (briefly) turn the focus back to football and the upcoming season.

Let's start with this: Who calls Ohio State's offensive plays during Tressel's suspension this fall?

Tressel always has maintained the Buckeyes' offensive play-calling is a collaborative effort between himself and his offensive assistants. The Vest always has had final say on what the Buckeyes run, and he remains very much in control of the plan throughout games. Ohio State has an offensive coordinator in Jim Bollman, who contributes to the scheme, but Bollman lacks the play-calling carte blanche of, say, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst or Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. Receivers coach/assistant head coach Darrell Hazell appeared to become more involved in offensive play-calling the past two seasons.

Still, if you had to put a name next to title "Ohio State offensive playcaller," you probably would go with Jim Tressel. But Tressel won't be making any calls on the first five Saturdays this fall, and possibly longer.

Hazell might have been the perfect solution for Ohio State. As the team's assistant head coach, Hazell likely would have handled most of Tressel's duties on Saturdays, possibly including final say on offensive play calls. Turns out, Hazell will be a head coach this fall -- for Kent State.

That leaves five Buckeyes offensive assistants:

• Bollman, offensive coordinator/offensive line
• Nick Siciliano, quarterbacks
• Dick "Doc" Tressel, running backs
• Stan Drayton, wide receivers
• John Peterson, tight ends

Bollman and Doc Tressel, a former head coach at Division III Hamline University, look like the top two options for offensive play-calling. Drayton is entering his first season at Ohio State and will be working with receivers for the first time. Siciliano and Peterson haven't held coordinator posts.

How will the offense change with Bollman and/or Doc Tressel calling plays? Keep in mind Ohio State also will be dealing with a new starting quarterback for the first chunk of the season.

Make no mistake: Jim Tressel will strongly influence the scheme as long as he's allowed to participate in game week. But another coach will have final say and make in-game adjustments, which could have a significant effect on the first half of Ohio State's season.

It took a little while, but I finally got in touch with the newest member of Jim Tressel's staff at Ohio State. Stan Drayton is back in familiar surroundings -- he grew up in Cleveland -- but is taking on an unfamiliar task of coaching wide receivers. Drayton played running back and has coached the position exclusively at the college level, most recently at Florida. He replaces Darrell Hazell, who left Ohio State to become head coach at Kent State.

Drayton will recruit locally in the Columbus area and also throughout Florida.

Check out Drayton's thoughts on several topics from our recent discussion.

How important was it for you to have a chance to be closer to home?

Stan Drayton: It played a big part in it. When you're at a place like Florida, you start looking for the intangibles. The final factor was the opportunity to coach another position. It's a huge move in the right direction for me to be able to get into something new, add a little versatility to my background. But my dad lives right here in Columbus. My sister, my kids' first cousins are here in Columbus. They're really, really close, so the opportunity to see their family members on a daily basis as opposed to one or two occasions throughout the year, it's awesome for them.

Were you looking to coach another position or even expand your role if you stayed at Florida?


SD: I wasn't looking for another situation by any stretch. [Will] Muschamp came in, I was really impressed with his approach and the kind of person he was and the staff he was putting together. I had a really good running back group coming back and I was really intrigued by Charlie Weis coming in there and the type of system that he runs, being able to learn from him. And then I get this call from coach Tressel throwing out this receiver deal and the more I thought about it, I just got so intrigued by it. He expressed how Earle Bruce gave him another position to coach, took him out of his comfort zone a little bit and how it's helped him as a ball coach. It really became very important for me to try to experience some of that. It became the deciding factor.

You've been around receivers and receivers coaches before. Have you reached out to any of them to get more insight on that position?

SD: I'm going to tap into somebody that I really know and trust, Ray Sherman, who's been coaching the receiver position for 36 years or something like that in the pros. I had the chance to be under his tutelage for three years when I was with the [Green Bay] Packers and learned a lot that way. I'm going to spend a lot of time with him, maybe go out and research other good receivers coaches around the country, both collegiate and NFL. And I'm really close to Donald Driver, so I'm going to sit down and try to get a player's perspective on receiver play, somebody who has had a tremendous amount of success at the position. A lot of times, what a coach will tell you and what a player will tell you about playing a position will really be two different things. I'm going to try and get as much information as I can from those people and move from there.

Personality wise, what's the biggest difference between running backs and wide receivers?

SD: If you would have asked me that as a running backs coach, I would have told you a totally different answer [laughs]. I need to be politically correct now. The game is physical for both positions, but there's a different type of physicality at running back. You've got blitz pickup, which is a very violent deal. You're dealing with a little bit closer parameters when you're running the football. You get yourself a lot of times in a little bit more space as a receiver. The skill set and the things you develop as an athlete are a little different, but once the ball is in your hands, you're a ball carrier, whether you're a running back or a receiver. You need to have a mentality of a ball carrier. But it's a little different mind-set.

Me transitioning from a running backs coach to a receivers coach, already my scope and the way I see the game has widened that much more to the perimeter. With the running backs, our focus was a little more on the box awareness and safety locations and not all the way out to the corners. There were times we had to pick up corner pressures and stuff like that, but on a play-by-play basis, my vision has to expand a little bit wider to the perimeter, which has been really, really fun.

(Read full post)

The Big Ten coaching carousel is still spinning as several teams have assistant vacancies to fill.

One of them is at Ohio State, which must replace receivers coach Darrell Hazell, who left last month for the top job at Kent State.

According to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Buckeyes have found their man. Florida running backs coach Stan Drayton will join Jim Tressel's staff and work with the receivers.

An official announcement is expected before the end of the week. Drayton has been rumored as a leading candidate for about two weeks.

Drayton is a Cleveland native who played college ball for current Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. He is well traveled as an assistant, making stops at three SEC programs, the NFL's Green Bay Packers and two MAC programs (Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green).

There's a lot to like about this hire, particularly Drayton's connections to the Southeast recruiting scene. New Florida coach Will Muschamp retained Drayton as his recruiting coordinator, so Drayton certainly can aid Ohio State's efforts in the nation's most fertile recruiting region. He also has some familiarity with the Midwest. About the only downside is he has never coached receivers, just running backs.

It will be interesting to see how several recent coaching changes impact bowl games involving Big Ten teams.

Let's take a look:

TicketCity Bowl

Texas Tech announced Sunday that defensive coordinator James Willis is leaving the program. Willis won't coach for the Red Raiders in their upcoming TicketCity Bowl matchup against Northwestern. Texas Tech's defense isn't very good (116th nationally, 463 ypg allowed), and the timing of Willis' departure can't help matters.

On the flip side, the Red Raiders are no strangers to coaching shakeups before bowl games. They dealt with the firing of head coach Mike Leach days before the 2009 Alamo Bowl and still went out and beat a shorthanded Michigan State team.

It'll be interesting to see how Texas Tech's defense performs against a Northwestern offense still reeling from the loss of star quarterback Dan Persa.

Outback Bowl

Despite the annual JoePa-is-retiring/sick email, it appears as though the major coaching news in the Outback Bowl rests with Florida.

Head coach Urban Meyer is stepping down after the bowl game, and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio was hired last week as Temple's coach. Addazio beat out Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and others for the job. Addazio will remain with Florida through the Outback Bowl.

Although it wouldn't shock me if Florida put together an inspired performance for Meyer's final game, I've got to wonder how all this turmoil affects the Gators' players. They're used to BCS bowls and endured a disappointing 7-5 season. The quarterback situation seems shaky, and starter John Brantley is contemplating a transfer.

Penn State, meanwhile, avoided major changes to Paterno's staff. This seems like a situation where the Lions could capitalize.

Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO and Allstate Sugar Bowl

Two Big Ten assistants have taken head-coaching jobs this month, but both are sticking around for bowl games. Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren was named head coach at Northern Illinois, while Ohio State receivers coach Darrell Hazell has landed the top job at Kent State.

I talked with Doeren on Sunday, and he's very much locked into Rose Bowl preparation. Although he has started to put together his staff at NIU, he has remained in Madison for most of the month. I don't think his impending departure is much of a distraction for Badgers' players, especially since Doeren's replacement likely will from within the current staff.

Hazell also is the type of coach who won't let his new role distract him from the task at hand. Ohio State needs all of its coaches locked in after last week's suspensions bombshell.

Although I doubt we'll see many major coaching moves this week, keep an eye on Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell. Both are in the mix for the vacancy at Miami (Ohio), and I hear Watson has an excellent chance to land the job.

There's also talk of Texas eying Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst for its OC vacancy.

USA Today continued its comprehensive look at coaches' salaries with a look at how the assistants are faring (not too bad, despite a down economy).

The number of assistant coaches earning $250,000 or more is on the rise, particularly in the SEC, but what strikes me is the Big Ten's absence among the very top earners. No Big Ten assistant ranks among the top 10 nationally in salary and only Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino ($475,250) ranks in the top 30 in earnings. The SEC, meanwhile, has 14 assistants among the top 30.

Are Big Ten assistants getting short-changed? Are Big Ten assistants inferior to those in the SEC? Why such a discrepancy?

I think the quality of coaching remains very high in the Big Ten and several assistants might want to get new agents. I also think that wild spending on assistant coaches is less a part of the culture in the Big Ten than it is in the SEC, Big 12 or even ACC. Will we ever see a Big Ten coordinator make more than $900,000, like Will Muschamp did at Texas, or more than $500,000? Perhaps we will, but I think it's doubtful.

There are also quite a few top assistants at big-time programs in the Big Ten who don't seem likely to make the jump to head-coaching positions elsewhere. While we've seen Big Ten assistants like Wisconsin's Dave Doeren and Ohio State's Darrell Hazell land top jobs this month, there aren't a ton of red-hot coaching prospects in the Big Ten.

It's interesting to see the discrepancy.

Who are the Big Ten's highest-paid assistants? Check 'em out:

(Note: As a private institution, Northwestern doesn't have to reveal coaches' salaries; Penn State declined to provide coaches' salary information.)

1. Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino (total compensation: $475,250, maximum bonus: $39,000)

2. Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst (total compensation: $361,094, maximum bonus: $122,500)

3. Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning (total compensation: $325,120, maximum bonus: $26,000)

4. Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman (total compensation: $311,500, maximum bonus: $50,550)

5. Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock (total compensation: $309,000, maximum bonus: $51,500)

6. Minnesota defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove (total compensation: $305,000, maximum bonus: $0)

7. Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee (total compensation: $282,100, maximum bonus: $0)

8. Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Robinson (total compensation: $277,100, maximum bonus: $0)

9. Ohio State assistant head coach/receivers coach Darrell Hazell (total compensation: $264,800, maximum bonus: $48,133)

10. Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe (total compensation: $260,524, maximum bonus: $0)

Nebraska's highest-paid assistants are offensive coordinator Shawn Watson ($380,000 salary, $130,833 maximum bonus) and defensive coordinator Carl Pelini ($375,000 salary, $129,375 maximum bonus).

Illinois' decision to spend big bucks for its new coordinators plays out here. It's interesting that for a defense-oriented league like the Big Ten, three of the four highest-paid assistants are offensive coordinators.

The Big Ten's biggest assistant coach bargain in 2010: Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell ($235,250), who led the team during coach Mark Dantonio's absence. All but one of Ohio State's assistants makes more than Treadwell.

Another major bargain is Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle ($129,792).

Your thoughts on the coaches' salaries?

Chattin' away right now.

• An interesting look at the risks and rewards of being a massive offensive lineman from The Capital Times' Shawn Doherty.
• Overshadowed by the Big Ten's QB depth, Michigan State's Kirk Cousins is an elite signal caller, colleague KC Joyner writes (ESPN Insider).
• Michigan still hasn't sold its bowl ticket allotment, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News. Jim Harbaugh's brother thinks Jim wants to stay at Stanford.
• Penn State assistants Tom Bradley and Ron Vanderlinden are still in the mix for the Temple job, Bob Flounders writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News. Nittany Lions reserve quarterback Kevin Newsome didn't join the team in Florida this week, Flounders writes.
• Former Ohio State star linebacker Marcus Freeman is following Darrell Hazell to Kent State, Doug Lesmerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Ohio State is very much aware of Arkansas star tight end D.J. Williams, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Wisconsin might be the nation's most disciplined team this season, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Iowa hopes to regain its swagger in the desert, Andrew Logue writes in the Des Moines Register. The Hawkeyes could benefit from Maryland's coaching change, colleague Bill Kurelic writes (ESPN Insider).
• A good breakdown of how Minnesota's 2011 roster will shake out from The Daily Gopher.
• Miami (Ohio) could pluck an assistant from Ohio State or Nebraska to head its program.
• Northwestern welcomes a holiday break before its bowl trip, ESPNChicago.com's Scott Powers writes.

It's now official: Ohio State receivers coach Darrell Hazell has been named Kent State's new head coach.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel issued the following statement:

“I’m so excited for Darrell Hazell as he takes over as the head coach at Kent State. He has certainly been a difference-maker at Ohio State. The Golden Flashes are starting a golden era led by Darrell Hazell. His Buckeye family wishes him every success.”

Amazingly, Hazell is the first Tressel assistant to leave Ohio State for a head-coaching position since defensive coordinator Mark Snyder left for the Marshall job after the 2004 season. Linebackers coach/co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell likely would be the next in line to make a move. Fickell has been mentioned as a possibility for the vacancy at Miami (Ohio).

"Monday Night Football" at a Big Ten stadium tonight. Who's excited?

• Of all the Ohio State assistants, Darrell Hazell carries himself most like Jim Tressel and will take those qualities to Kent State, Doug Lesmerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• Georgia is looking to add a marquee Midwest opponent to its future schedule, and Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan all are in the mix, Audrey Snyder writes in The Daily Collegian.
• A great piece on former Michigan State player Joe Tate, who keeps tabs on his Spartans while serving in Afghanistan, Joe Rexrode writes in the Lansing State Journal. Spartans senior center John Stipek paid tribute to former coach John L. Smith at the team banquet, George Sipple writes in the Detroit Free Press. Greg Jones' decision to return to Michigan State paid off in a big way, John Niyo writes in The Detroit News.
• The Big Ten division names debate continues here and here and here.
• Wisconsin followed Barry Alvarez's model and got elite performances from these five players, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• An update on Michigan running back recruit Dee Hart from the Orlando Sentinel's Chris Hays. Some Wolverines pre-bowl notes, including quarterback Devin Gardner's push for a medical redshirt, from annarbor.com's Pete Bigelow. Recruiting analysts say Michigan's unstable coaching situation could hurt the 2011 class, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News.
• The journey from walk-on to Penn State starting quarterback has been humbling for Matt McGloin, Paul Sokoloski writes in the Times Leader. Penn State is back on the practice field in the Sunshine State.
• Iowa had a big weekend on the recruiting trail, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. The Des Moines Register's Sean Keeler writes that Iowa football has become "Consistently good, widely respected, fundamentally sound. Also, completely predictable. Take it or leave it."
• Jerry Kill's coaching staff at Minnesota should be complete soon, Phil Miller writes in the Star Tribune. Gophers receiver Bryant Allen is transferring to be closer to home, Marcus Fuller writes in the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press.
• The Texas Bowl will go a long way toward shaping Illinois' season, Mark Tupper writes in the (Decatur) Herald & Review.
• Northwestern defensive end Vince Browne has blossomed both on and off the field, Joe Scalzo writes in the Youngstown Vindicator.

Don't forget to chat with me right now.

• A good look at the disappointing situation sounding Iowa's DJK from The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Mike Hlas. The Iowa star appeared in court earlier today, Lee Hermiston writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
• Reaction to Indiana's hiring of Kevin Wilson as coach here and here and here. If you missed my take on Wilson, check it out.
• Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez refutes the claim from colleague Joel Maturi that Maturi offered the Minnesota coaching job, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Longtime Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley is being mentioned for the top job at Pitt, Neil Rudel writes in The Altoona Mirror. Receiver Brett Brackett was named Penn State's team MVP.
• Big Ten teams all will get rich from this year's bowl participants, Don Walker writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Ohio State wants to make sure Terrelle Pryor's ticket giveaway meets compliance rules, Doug Lesmerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Buckeyes assistant Darrell Hazell could be a candidate for Kent State's head-coaching vacancy, David Carducci writes.
• Michigan's student assembly rejects a resolution to encourage the athletic department to fire RichRod, Claire Cosicki writes in the Michigan Daily. The spotlight at Michigan isn't on Rich Rodriguez, but athletic director Dave Brandon, Drew Sharp writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio isn't satisfied even at 11-1, Greg Johnson writes in The Grand Rapids Press.
• The Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein looks at Silver Football candidate Denard Robinson.
• New Minnesota coach Jerry Kill has been making the rounds, Phil Miller writes in the Star Tribune.
• Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan and Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt make Rivals.com's first-team All-America squad. Kerrigan now has an eye toward his NFL future, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Northwestern hopes to get two key players back for its bowl game, Tina Akouris writes in the Chicago Sun-Times.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Few folks outside the Marshall locker room actually think Ohio State is in danger of losing tonight's season opener.

The Buckeyes are one of the nation's most complete teams, and their debut at The Shoe is viewed as the first step toward a potential national championship push.

So why should you pay attention to the game? Terrelle Pryor, of course.

Regardless of the final score, Pryor's performance against the Thundering Herd will be heavily scrutinized. Can he build off of his masterful performance in Pasadena against Oregon? How are his decision-making skills? Has he fully earned coach Jim Tressel's trust to operate in an expanded offensive system? Is he a legit Heisman Trophy candidate or just a byproduct of the college football hype machine?

Pryor is always the story at Ohio State, good or bad. He doesn't particularly like it, but he accepts it. He's used to being the center of attention.

"Everyone just praises you and holds you on a pedestal all the time," Pryor recently told ESPN.com. "Sometimes, it’s hard when you're getting more recognition than some of your teammates. I don't like that individually because I feel like everyone really should get the same recognition. But at the same time, that's the life we live in, the game that we play, and people love the quarterbacks and they put some people on different pedestals.

"You have to humble yourself."

Pryor sounds more humble these days, admitting that Ohio State's dominant defense has "bailed me out in a lot of games." The Buckeyes junior certainly has his share of critics, who harp on his passing mechanics and decision-making.

Many view him as overhyped and scoff at his 19-3 record as Ohio State's starting quarterback. Most agree that he has a lot more to prove this season.

"It comes with it," Pryor said of the criticism. "I watch a lot of Vince Young and Michael Vick and guys like that, they’re scrutinized guys and [critics] try to jump on people. I'm in the learning process, and whatever people have to say about me, that's what they've got to say.

"It's not going to bother me, it's not going to stop me from doing what my goals are and what I want to accomplish."

His short-term goals are simple: don't turn the ball over, make his throws in the right place and take checkdowns when necessary. Time will tell if Pryor is a better quarterback, but he sounds like a smarter one after two full years in the program.

"He's made light years [improvement] in his accuracy," wide receivers coach Darrell Hazell told reporters this week. "Understanding coverages, he's light years [ahead]. He'll be fun to watch this year."

Asked about the Heisman race, Pryor delivers the first of many stiff-arms this season.

"To tell you the truth, I just go out and ball, that's it," he said. "Lead the offense, put points on the board. It doesn't matter who we're playing. We do our thing, and we'll go into every game and execute, execute, execute.

"We do that, we'll be fine."