Wisconsin - Paul Chryst was 19-19 (10-13 in conference play) as a head coach, after three seasons at Pitt
Nebraska - Mike Riley was 93-80 (58-63 in conference play) as a head coach, after 14 seasons at Oregon State.
Minnesota - Jerry Kill is 25-26 (13-19 in conference play) for the Golden Gophers
Northwestern - Pat Fitzgerald is 60-53 (30-42 in conference play) for the Wildcats
Illinois - Tim Beckman is 12-25 (4-20 in conference play) for the Fighting Illini
Purdue - Darrell Hazell is 4-20 (1-15 in conference play) for the Boilermakers
Iowa - Kirk Ferentz is dean of the Big Ten, is 115-85 (68-60 in conference play) for the Hawkeyes
One head coach with a winning conference slate, among the seven Big Ten West coaches, as we enter 2015. It will be an interesting season.
Wisconsin retained their defensive coordinator Dave Aranda from the prior staff. He coached one year with Gary Anderson at Utah State, prior to his two seasons at Wisconsin
Nebraska's DC Mark Banker has been with Mike Riley through his first stint at Oregon State, the move to the San Diego Chargers and back to Oregon State.
Minnesota's defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys has the Golden Gophers moving in a positive direction with wins over Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska. Kill's right hand for 21 years ...
Mike Hankwitz returns as DC at Northwestern, since 2008. He was also a former UW DC, under Bret Bielema (first two seasons). Served as an interim coach at both Arizona and Colorado, when mid-season firings came down. Played football at Michigan, so good Big Ten guy!
Tim Banks becomes co-DC/S coach, after a demotion as sole DC at Illinois. Mike Phair arrives as new co-DC/DL coach from the Tampa Bay (NFL).
Greg Hudson begins third season as DC for Purdue. He was DC last time Minnesota beat Wisconsin.
Phil Parker begins fourth season as Iowa's DC, and 17th as a Ferentz assistant.
The Big Ten West will be an interesting race in 2015 ...
