Wisconsin is a Good Big Ten Job, Does That Matter Anymore?

Two coaches have left Wisconsin this decade for less prestigious college jobs. Bret Bielema, among the B1Ggest men conceivable, left for Arkansas. Gary Andersen left after two years for Oregon State. Each job, one could argue, is not among the Top 10 in its conference. But, in 2014, prestige is overrated. That should worry both Wisconsin and the Big Ten.

Power 5 TV revenue has leveled the field. Every school has more or less awesome facilities. Every school can pay well. Big name programs have struggled and struggled finding coaches. Big name coaches have had success at non-traditional programs and stayed. Baylor and TCU were Big 12 Co-Champs. Arizona reached the Pac 12 title game. Mississippi State was the second best SEC team. Missouri reached its second-consecutive SEC title game.

What have Texas, Florida, Michigan, Penn State and USC done lately?

The conference may matter more than prestige within it. The SEC and the Pac 12 are the nation’s two best. They offer, not coincidentally, two of the best recruiting setups.

Arkansas is an SEC backwater. But, the Razorbacks can sell playing in the best conference. They play multiple games per year in Texas and the Deep South. The 10th best SEC recruiting class may still be in the Top 20 nationally. Oregon State is a backwater. But, it is a backwater playing games in California twice, sometimes three times per year. Boise States have been built on California leftovers.

Wisconsin may be a top tier Big Ten job. But, what does that matter? Demographic trends in the Midwest are poor. The B1G West alignment leaves the Badgers landlocked away from the best recruiting grounds. Wisconsin will play in Ohio and Pennsylvania only a couple times per decade. But, you can’t take away their freedom trophy. Nine conference games will improve things, sort of. But, the Big Ten should be considering 10. Considering more than just television footprint for additions would also help.

Schools can and do overcome natural recruiting disadvantages. Wisconsin has been foremost among them since Alvarez. But, what will happen moving forward?

Wisconsin must do a superb job mining off the radar talent and developing it to win. That’s hard when backyard players are fewer and farther between. That’s hard when the school won’t invest to keep a strong staff together. That’s hard when a school can’t take a risk on certain players or consider readymade JUCO kids. Oh, and by the way, winning the B1G at Wisconsin is the expectation. Also, that’s not Barry Alvarez’ legend looming over the coach’s shoulder.

That’s Barry Alvarez.

Wisconsin sounds like it should be a good job. That’s about the only advantage it offers. The Badgers are competing for the Big Ten title every season. Yet, a major concern for their coaching search is finding someone who won’t leave. Perception of the Big Ten has become reality.

[Photo via USAT]