Good God, These High School Photos of Big Ten Coaches Are a Treasure

It turns out Kirk Ferentz's marvelous mullet wasn't the only old high school picture featuring a current Big Ten coach that BTN researchers were able to uncover -- and while there's nothing quite as jaw-dropping as Ferentz's mullet in their finds for other coaches, they're still worth taking a gander at. 

Let's start with the best one, Lovie Smith. 

"I've never seen Coach with hair like that..."@IlliniFootball players and @LovieSmith react to the Illinois head coach's high school yearbook picture, which is packed with 1970s swag: pic.twitter.com/W34RzK8xfE

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) July 24, 2018

That's right: Lovie had an afro. And not just any afro -- an absolutely magnificent afro. Well played, Lovie. 

Next up: Mark Dantonio. 

"He probably thought he was Elvis or something..."

- @MSU_football players got a glimpse of Mark Dantonio's high school yearbook , and the head man himself had some fun with it: pic.twitter.com/MqnoLkSlpA

— Michigan St. on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) July 24, 2018

It's both terrifying and sort of reassuring to know that Mark Dantonio has always looked uncomfortably intense. He definitely knows where some bodies are buried (because he put them there). 

Next: Scott Frost. 

Step 1: Present @HuskerFBNation stars @coach_frost's high school photo.

Step 2: Enjoy @big_MICKet, @Thekidstan & @JeraldFoster's reactions to said photo. pic.twitter.com/jEl1dFp4jU

— Nebraska On BTN (@NebraskaOnBTN) July 24, 2018

I don't think Frost could look more mid-90s midwestern white guy in that picture if he tried. 

Next: Paul Chryst. 

"That's Coach Chryst?! That's fantastic!"

- The reactions from @BadgerFootball players at Media Day when they saw Paul Chryst's high school yearbook picture is must-see stuff: pic.twitter.com/hJaVozCOIQ

— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) July 24, 2018

I'm a little uncomfortable at how much young Paul Chryst looks like young Kyle MacLachlan. Although Paul Chryst would definitely think Twin Peaks was too weird and turn it off after, like, 15 minutes.  

Next: D.J. Durkin. 

"I don't know where you got that from...good homework."

- @CoachDurkin and his @TerpsFootball players were impressed with a blast from the head coach's past at Media Day. pic.twitter.com/R2NHDCDpvj

— Maryland On BTN (@MarylandOnBTN) July 24, 2018

It turns out Durkin was a Large Adult Son years (decades?) before we even had that specific term. He was also weirdly... block-shaped... in high school. 

Next: James Franklin

What happens when you surprise @McSorley_IX & @ooFUTURISTICoo with @coachjfranklin's high school photos?

You get these reactions. pic.twitter.com/sCQvoKmbNz

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) July 24, 2018

Respect to Franklin for rocking the box fade for as long as he did. 

Next: Jeff Brohm

Ever see @JeffBrohm's senior photo?

Neither had @BoilerFootball stars nor son @CoachBradyBrohm.

Until now, that is! pic.twitter.com/TM7tpZVeF0

— Purdue On BTN (@PurdueOnBTN) July 24, 2018

Our Most Hated... Bowtie? Brohm is definitely ready to rock the late '80s. 

Next: Pat Fitzgerald

"Well, his head is still the same size -- extremely large."

- Nate Hall, and other @NUFBFamily stars, reacts to @coachfitz51's high school (@EaglesAthletics) photos pic.twitter.com/X8OyBJ8sZZ

— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) July 24, 2018

Honestly, I can't roast him any better than Nate Hall, his own player, does in this clip. 

"Well, his head is still the same size -- extremely large... Looks like he waxed his unibrow. And he's #81. Coach, you couldn't catch the ball... you're not fast... so why're you wearing #81?"

Please don't make me like a Northwestern player, Mr. Hall. 

Next: Jim Harbaugh

"James" Harbaugh now goes by Jim, but the resemblance is there. @UMichFootball players and the head coach himself react to @CoachJim4UM's high school yearbook photo. pic.twitter.com/zNxn1TIrtS

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 24, 2018

One of life's great mysteries: how'd the cool-looking surfer bro in those pics turn into this dude?

Finally: P.J. Fleck 

.@Cmoe34: "No way! That is a terrible haircut."@Coach_Fleck: "Nice haircut. I think I actually used lemon juice to make my hair lighter in the sun."

Please settle the score on Coach's high school (@KHSKnights) hairdo, @GopherFootball fans. pic.twitter.com/VZHmgDOJaO

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) July 24, 2018

Fleck definitely played bass in a Creed cover band at some point in high school.