Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram debate where Penn State job ranks in the Big Ten

The college football coaching carousel kicked off in earnest when Penn State opted to fire coach coach James Franklin this weekend amid a 3-3 start to the season. It’s likely not the only major gig coming open this cycle, either.

But where does the Penn State job rank in the Big Ten and nationally? Not as high as you might think, according to former Alabama running back and current FOX Sports analyst Mark Ingram.

“Big Ten I think it’s like the fourth or fifth best job,” Ingram said on The Triple Option podcast, much to the surprise of former coach Urban Meyer. “Should it be higher? You have Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, SC… that’s four right there.”

Meyer had one program in mind on the list of options that Ingram had ranked higher than he seemed to think Penn State could supplant. It might not surprise many readers.

“But should it be higher?” Meyer said. “The question is: Is it a better job than the Wolverines? Look at their records over the last 25 years. There might be an argument, I don’t know that. That’s something I think every fan’s got to ask themselves.”

Ingram came back with a pretty quick response, noting why Penn State is in a tough spot when it comes to job rankings. While there’s a ton the program has done right over the years, there are also some inherent challenges it faces.

That may not be unique to Penn State in the Big Ten, but it’s a factor, he said. So what was it?

“I think they have the resources, I think they have everything you want,” Ingram said. “I think the location is a challenge for people.”

Meyer seemed to pause and consider some of the other Big Ten programs that Ingram mentioned. Oregon has a ton of money thanks to Nike. Ohio State speaks for itself. Michigan, as Meyer noted, might be one that could flip with Penn State.

“Then USC, is USC bumped?” Meyer wondered out loud. “In my mind USC is a top three job in America, so I would say yes. Now they’ve had a couple decades drought out there, so…”

Ingram cut in quickly. He defended his initial take.

“That’s why I said Penn State is fourth or fifth, it just depends,” Ingram said. “In the Big Ten, at least.”

Meyer, who seemed to be making a case for Penn State to be ranked a little higher, chimed in looking at things nationally. After all, that’s where the Nittany Lions will be competing for a new coach.

“So nationally that would probably put them just inside the top 10, right Mark?” Meyer said. Ingram responded.

“Yes. But available jobs it is top right now,” Ingram said. “Available jobs it is top right now.”