The Big Ten coaching carousel didn’t just spin this offseason-it practically launched into orbit. Four major programs hit reset, and the result is a fascinating mix of fresh energy, proven leadership, and high-stakes expectations heading into 2026. Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and UCLA will all enter next season with new head coaches at the helm, and each brings a different flavor to the Big Ten’s ever-evolving identity.
Let’s break down who’s in, what they bring, and how their arrival could shake up the conference.
Bob Chesney - UCLA
UCLA made a bold move-and a calculated one-by betting on Bob Chesney, a coach with a track record of building winners and doing it fast. Chesney arrives in Westwood after a strong showing at James Madison, where he didn’t just keep the Dukes afloat following Curt Cignetti’s departure-he took them to the College Football Playoff in 2025. That kind of momentum doesn’t go unnoticed.
Before JMU, Chesney made his name at Holy Cross, where he went 44-21 from 2018 to 2023. He’s a coach who knows how to maximize talent, even when he’s not working with blue-chip rosters. That’s a skill UCLA will be counting on as they look to climb the Big Ten ladder.
What makes Chesney particularly intriguing is the staff he’s bringing with him. Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler follow him from James Madison, and both played key roles in last season’s success.
The Dukes averaged 37.1 points and 452.6 yards per game-numbers that speak to an offense that was both explosive and efficient. Defensively, they were just as impressive, allowing only 18.4 points per game, good for 13th in the FBS.
Chesney’s roots are on the defensive side-he played defensive back in college and cut his teeth coaching secondaries early in his career. That defensive foundation, paired with a high-powered offense, could give UCLA the balance it’s lacked in recent years.
The schedule won’t do Chesney any favors in Year 1, with matchups against Oregon, Michigan, and USC looming. But if his ability to sustain success at JMU is any indication, don’t be surprised if UCLA starts punching above its weight sooner than expected.
Pat Fitzgerald - Michigan State
If UCLA went with the rising star, Michigan State went with the steady hand. Pat Fitzgerald is back in the Big Ten, this time trading purple for green, and while his return comes with some baggage, it also comes with a wealth of experience.
Fitzgerald was let go by Northwestern in 2023 following his involvement in a hazing scandal within the program. That chapter will always be part of his story, but so will the 17 years he spent turning Northwestern into one of the most consistently competitive programs in the conference. His 110-101 record in Evanston included multiple division titles and a reputation for fielding disciplined, tough, and defensively sound teams.
That’s exactly what Michigan State needs right now.
The Spartans have been searching for stability since Mel Tucker’s tenure unraveled and Jonathan Smith’s brief stint failed to gain traction. Enter Fitzgerald, a former linebacker who coaches like one-hard-nosed, detail-oriented, and no stranger to overachieving.
He’ll also benefit from something he didn’t always have at Northwestern: resources. Michigan State has made it clear they’re willing to invest in football, and Fitzgerald could thrive with the kind of institutional support that wasn’t always available in Evanston.
The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry just got a jolt of energy, too. With Fitzgerald now on one sideline and Kyle Whittingham-Michigan’s new head coach-on the other, expect some gritty, old-school football when these two meet.
Matt Campbell - Penn State
Penn State’s coaching search didn’t exactly go according to script. After parting ways with James Franklin, the Nittany Lions reportedly swung and missed on several big-name targets. But in Matt Campbell, they may have landed the best long-term fit.
Campbell has been one of college football’s most respected coaches for the better part of a decade. He transformed Iowa State from a perennial also-ran into a legitimate Big 12 contender, posting a 107-70 record and earning three Big 12 Coach of the Year honors, most recently in 2020. Before that, he led Toledo to a 35-15 mark from 2012 to 2015.
What makes Campbell such an appealing hire for Penn State isn’t just his win-loss record-it’s how he’s done it. He’s built competitive, physical teams without the benefit of elite recruiting classes or massive budgets. Now, he’ll have access to both.
Franklin’s tenure was marked by plenty of wins but few breakthroughs. The hope in Happy Valley is that Campbell can be the coach who finally gets Penn State over the hump, especially with a roster that’s consistently loaded with NFL-caliber talent. If he can bring the same edge and tactical savvy that defined his Iowa State teams, the Nittany Lions could be in for a new era of relevance-one that includes more than just 10-win seasons and near-misses.
Kyle Whittingham - Michigan
While not a new hire in the traditional sense, Kyle Whittingham is part of this wave of change, taking over at Michigan following the late firing of Sherrone Moore. Whittingham brings decades of experience and a reputation for building tough, physical teams that thrive in big moments. And in 2026, he’ll get the rare opportunity to face off against all three of the Big Ten’s other new head coaches.
It’s a fitting twist in a conference that’s not just changing coaches-it’s reshaping its identity. The Big Ten has always been known for its tradition and stability, but this offseason reminded us that even the most storied programs aren’t afraid to make bold moves when the moment calls for it.
So buckle up. Between Chesney’s upside, Fitzgerald’s experience, Campbell’s consistency, and Whittingham’s battle-tested approach, the Big Ten’s coaching landscape just got a whole lot more interesting.