College Football Coaching Tiers: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Season
As the college football season heats up, it's time to take a closer look at the coaches who are shaping the sport. The Athletic has ranked the head coaches of the Football Bowl Subdivision into eight tiers, and I'm here to break down the rankings and offer my own insights.
The Top Tier: Curt Cignetti and Kirby Smart
It's no surprise that Curt Cignetti and Kirby Smart top the list. Cignetti's incredible run at Indiana, including a national championship and consecutive Playoff appearances, is a testament to his coaching prowess. Smart's Bulldogs, despite a recent slump, have still managed to win back-to-back SEC titles. These two coaches are the gold standard in college football.
The Contenders: Ryan Day, Kalen DeBoer, and Marcus Freeman
Ryan Day, Ohio State's head coach, has a national championship under his belt, but he's not in the top tier due to the high expectations and resources at Ohio State. Kalen DeBoer, following in Nick Saban's footsteps at Alabama, has seen his stock trend downward in recent years. Marcus Freeman, on the other hand, has title game appearances under his belt, but he's still got some work to do.
The Rising Stars: Mario Cristobal, Dan Lanning, and Kyle Whittingham
Mario Cristobal, after a run to the national championship game, has moved up into Tier 2. Dan Lanning, with a semifinal appearance and an undefeated regular season, is a rising star. Kyle Whittingham, despite never making the CFP, has a consistent and long-standing record of success.
The Strugglers: Dabo Swinney, James Franklin, and Bret Bielema
Dabo Swinney, once a top-tier coach, has seen his stock drop due to a recent slump. James Franklin, after a strong start at Penn State, was fired and is now at Virginia Tech. Bret Bielema, coming off the first consecutive nine-win seasons in Illinois' history, is a rising star in the making.
The Underdogs: Luke Fickell, Eric Morris, and Brian Newberry
Luke Fickell, despite a remarkable run at Cincinnati, has posted three straight subpar seasons at Wisconsin. Eric Morris, on the other hand, has turned Incarnate Word into a top-15 FCS program and is now at Oklahoma State. Brian Newberry, with a 21-5 record over the last two years, is the most underrated head coach in the country.
The Hot-Seat Coaches: Pat Fitzgerald, Brent Venables, and Mike Norvell
Pat Fitzgerald, after a hazing scandal, is back on the list. Brent Venables, despite a strong start at Oklahoma, has seen his stock drop due to a recent slump. Mike Norvell, after a fourth losing season, is on one of the hottest seats in college football.
The Newbies: Willie Simmons, Timmy Chang, and Mike Locksley
Willie Simmons, after a successful debut season at FIU, is a coach to watch. Timmy Chang, after a program reset at Hawaii, has gone 9-4. Mike Locksley, despite consecutive 4-8 seasons, is hoping for a turnaround with some talented players.
The Underdogs: Joe Harasymiak, Tony Sanchez, and Dell McGee
Joe Harasymiak, after a successful run at Maine, is now at UMass. Tony Sanchez, despite a strong start at New Mexico State, is struggling with constant roster turnover. Dell McGee, despite recruiting well at Georgia State, has yet to translate that into success.
In conclusion, the 2026 college football season promises to be an exciting one, with coaches rising and falling, and new stars emerging. As an expert commentator, I can't help but be intrigued by the potential of some of these coaches, while others may struggle to meet the high expectations of their programs. Stay tuned, as the season unfolds, and the rankings may change dramatically.
