Ranking Big Ten coaches as players (4. P.J. Fleck, WR, Northern Illinois (1999-2003))

[BleedGopher]

per Dienhart:

4. P.J. Fleck, WR, Northern Illinois (1999-2003)

The ultimate overachiever who wrung every last once of ability from his body, Fleck was a standout receiver and return man for Joe Novak in DeKalb, Ill. As a senior, Fleck helped lead the Huskies to a No. 10 ranking, a 10-2 record and wins vs. Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State. He ranks in the top five in Northern Illinois annals in receptions (179) and receiving yards (2,162). Fleck was first-team All-MAC in 2003. He went on to play from 2004-05 with the 49ers after signing as a free-agent.

Ranking Big Ten coaches as players

From a Heisman finalist to a D3 star and an interesting mix in between, Big Ten coaches are ranked 1-14 as players

purdue.rivals.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[short ornery norwegian]

If you're wondering - the article ranks them at Fitz #1; Khaki Pants #2; Brohm #3; PJ #4; and.....Frosty #5!

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Bizarre rankings

#1: Harbaugh
#2: Fitz
#3: Brohm
#4: Frost

Some of the rest of the rankings depends upon how you judge things. What's better - - being really good at a lower level or being a multi-year starter at the highest level? Bert was a starter and captain at Iowa. Mel Tucker was a starter in Madison.

 

[Fleckoff]

Big Ten has a pretty good group of ex player coaches, some legit fire power

 

[50PoundHead]

I would go Harbaugh over Fitzgerald because of his years in the pros. That said, Fitzgerald was more productive at the college level.

 

[Dakota2]

Bizarre rankings

#1: Harbaugh
#2: Fitz
#3: Brohm
#4: Frost

Some of the rest of the rankings depends upon how you judge things. What's better - - being really good at a lower level or being a multi-year starter at the highest level? Bert was a starter and captain at Iowa. Mel Tucker was a starter in Madison.

And Fleck beat Maryland, Alabama, and Iowa State in same year playing at lower level.

 

[fmlizard]

I would go Harbaugh over Fitzgerald because of his years in the pros. That said, Fitzgerald was more productive at the college level.

It's silly to rank anyone other than Harbaugh #1 unless they specifically include college play only. But the article mentions his pro achievements. And adding those in puts him head and shoulders above anyone else on the list.

He's also the most accomplished player among all FBS head coaches. You have to get to FCS with Deion and Eddie George before finding a better playing career. It's a very weak list of playing careers among FBS head coaches - only Herm Edwards had a decent NFL career besides Harbaugh.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

And Fleck beat Maryland, Alabama, and Iowa State in same year playing at lower level.

Yep and none of that even comes close to touching the team success of the guy's I placed above him. By the way, Bama and Iowa State were a combined 6-19 the year Northern Illinois beat them. It was 20 years ago.

If we're talking team success, even guys lower than Fleck were on much better teams. Mel Tucker won a Rose Bowl. Bielema famously beat Iowa State all 4 years (also had a Rose Bowl and a 10-1 season). They both have much better wins than a 4-9 Alabama team or 2-10 Iowa State team.

 

[Dakota2]

Yep and none of that even comes close to touching the team success of the guy's I placed above him. By the way, Bama and Iowa State were a combined 6-19 the year Northern Illinois beat them. It was 20 years ago.

If we're talking team success, even guys lower than Fleck were on much better teams. Mel Tucker won a Rose Bowl. Bielema famously beat Iowa State all 4 years (also had a Rose Bowl and a 10-1 season). They both have much better wins than a 4-9 Alabama team or 2-10 Iowa State team.

Did Bielema run back kicks?

 

[PMWinSTP]

Bizarre rankings

#1: Harbaugh
#2: Fitz
#3: Brohm
#4: Frost

Some of the rest of the rankings depends upon how you judge things. What's better - - being really good at a lower level or being a multi-year starter at the highest level? Bert was a starter and captain at Iowa. Mel Tucker was a starter in Madison.

Yeah Harbaugh definitely #1.

 

[West Fargo Gopher Fan]

The article specifically says college careers. Doesn't include pro years. Fitzpatrick won the Nagurski award and took Northwestern to the Rose Bowl. College only he is top.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

per Dienhart:

4. P.J. Fleck, WR, Northern Illinois (1999-2003)

The ultimate overachiever who wrung every last once of ability from his body, Fleck was a standout receiver and return man for Joe Novak in DeKalb, Ill. As a senior, Fleck helped lead the Huskies to a No. 10 ranking, a 10-2 record and wins vs. Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State. He ranks in the top five in Northern Illinois annals in receptions (179) and receiving yards (2,162). Fleck was first-team All-MAC in 2003. He went on to play from 2004-05 with the 49ers after signing as a free-agent.

Ranking Big Ten coaches as players

From a Heisman finalist to a D3 star and an interesting mix in between, Big Ten coaches are ranked 1-14 as players

purdue.rivals.com

Go Gophers!!

Forgot to mention King of the Toos!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Big Ten has a pretty good group of ex player coaches, some legit fire power

Seriously the odds of there being this many really good players as head coaches seems pretty low.