Heading into the 2026 college football season, The Sporting News has ranked all 138 FBS head coaches.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, Indiana<\/a>\u2018s Curt Cignetti<\/a> leads the list. Cignetti led the Hoosiers to an unblemished 16-0 record and a National Championship last season. The top-10 coaches in the list span from three conferences. The SEC leads the way with four coaches (Kirby Smart<\/a>, Kalen DeBoer<\/a>, Steve Sarkisian<\/a>, and Lane Kiffin<\/a>), followed by the Big Ten with three (Curt Cignetti, Ryan Day<\/a>, and Dan Lanning<\/a>) and the ACC with two (Mario Cristobal<\/a> and Dabo Swinney<\/a>).<\/p>\n $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage<\/a><\/p>\n Looking at the list in full, Auburn<\/a>\u2018s Alex Golesh<\/a> (+42 spots), New Mexico<\/a>\u2018s Jason Eck<\/a> (+41 spots), and UCLA<\/a>\u2018s Bob Chesney<\/a> (+40 spots) made the biggest leaps from last season. Meanwhile, North Carolina<\/a>\u2018s Bill Belichick<\/a> (-38 spots), Charlotte<\/a>\u2018s Tim Albin<\/a> (-35 spots), and Boston College<\/a>\u2018s Bill O\u2019Brien<\/a> (-31 spots) fell the furthest from last season. The entire list is below<\/a>.<\/p>\n +\/- denotes how far the coach has fallen\/risen from last offseason\u2019s rankings<\/p>\n Record at Indiana (2024-2025): 27-2 (17-1)<\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, Indiana\u2018s Curt Cignetti tops the list. Cignetti is the back-to-back winner of AP Coach of the Year, and led Indiana to its first ever National Championship last season. Under Cignetti, the Hoosiers have lost just twice: a regular season game against No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 23, 2024, and a College Football Playoff First Round Game against No. 5 Notre Dame on Dec. 20, 2024. Since that CFP loss to the Irish, Indiana has won 16 consecutive games. Just two seasons into his tenure, Cignetti has already cemented himself as the best coach in program history.<\/p>\n Record at Georgia (2016-2025): 117-21 (69-12)<\/p>\n Georgia\u2018s Kirby Smart, who is one of two active FBS coaches with multiple National Championships, comes in at No. 2 on the list. The past three seasons since the Bulldogs\u2019 last title, however, have been mega frustrating. They missed the 2023 College Football Playoff (the last with just four teams) with a 12-1 record, and lost their first Playoff game in the past two CFP\u2019s. There\u2019s no denying that Smart is one of the best coaches in college football though, as his .848 winning percentage is the best in Georgia program history. <\/p>\n Record at Ohio State (2019-2025): 79-12 (54-5)<\/p>\n Ryan Day, who led Ohio State to a National Championship in 2024, ranks No. 3 on the list. Day has been a sensational successor to Urban Meyer<\/a>, as the Buckeyes have not lost more than two games in any of his seven seasons at the helm. After losing to Miami in Quarterfinals of last season\u2019s College Football Playoff, there\u2019s no doubt Day has a massive chip on his shoulder to bring home Ohio State\u2018s second title in the past three seasons.<\/p>\n Record at Notre Dame (2022-2025): 43-11<\/p>\n Although Notre Dame just barely missed last season\u2019s College Football Playoff, Marcus Freeman ranks No. 4 on the list. The season prior, the Irish made a run to the CFP National Championship before falling to Ohio State. In four seasons, Freeman has led Notre Dame to 43 wins and a deep run in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff. Coming off a season in which Notre Dame declined a postseason bid, however, a bounce back season from Freeman and his team is expected in a massive way.<\/p>\n Record at Oregon (2022-2025): 48-8 (32-4)<\/p>\n It seems as if it\u2019s a matter of when, not if, Dan Lanning will lead Oregon to its elusive National Championship. Under Lanning, Oregon entered the 2024-25 CFP as the No. 1 overall seed, and advanced to the Semifinals in 2025-26 before falling to eventual National Champions Indiana. Oregon is coming off a stellar 13-2 season, in which it racked up five victories over ranked opponents.<\/p>\n Record at Alabama (2024-2025): 20-8 (12-4)<\/p>\n Kalen DeBoer has left a bit to be desired at Alabama after a mediocre two seasons, compared to Crimson Tide standards. Alabama finished with at least four losses in back-to-back seasons for the first time 2006-2007, and were blown out 38-3 by eventual National Champions Indiana in the 2026 Rose Bowl. DeBoer received a massive extension this season, and Alabama fans are expecting him to lead the Tide back into Championship contention sooner than later.<\/p>\n Record at Texas (2021-2025): 93-55 (30-13)<\/p>\n Although Steve Sarkisian\u2018s Texas Longhorns opened the 2025 season as the No. 1 ranked team in the country, it failed to reach the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season. This was due in part to its season-opening loss to Ohio State, and its disappointing loss to a down Florida team. The Longhorns, however, finished the season strong and will be looking to parlay that into a bounce back 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n Record at LSU (2026): 0-0 (0-0)<\/p>\n At long last, Lane Kiffin led Ole Miss to its first College Football Playoff appearance in school history last season. He, however, bolted for the LSU opening before the Rebels could open First Round play against Tulane. Kiffin, who racked up 55 wins across six seasons at Ole Miss, will now look to lead LSU back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019 this season. With all the expectations in the world, Baton Rouge will certainly be a circus.<\/p>\n Record at Miami (2022-2025): 35-19 (18-14)<\/p>\n After slipping into the College Football Playoff as the last at-large team ahead of Notre Dame and BYU, Mario Cristobal led the Miami Hurricanes all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Amid criticism from failed past seasons, Cristobal more than showed that he is the man for the job at Miami. The Hurricanes are coming off a 13-3 campaign and return a Heisman Trophy candidate receiver in Malachi Toney this season.<\/p>\n Record at Clemson (2009-2025): 183-50 (110-27)<\/p>\n The 2026 season will be crucial for Dabo Swinney and Clemson, as the Tigers failed to reach eight wins in a season for the first time since 2010 last year. After opening the year with a tough loss to LSU, losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse really sunk any expectations that last season\u2019s team had. Swinney, who also boasts two National Championships, can obviously still coach at a high level and will look to bounce back in a massive way this season.<\/p>\n Coaches 11-25<\/p>\n 11. Mike Elko<\/a> (Texas A&M<\/a>) +15 Coaches 26-50<\/p>\n 26. Manny Diaz<\/a> (Duke<\/a>) +24 Coaches 51-75<\/p>\n 51. Greg Schiano<\/a> (Rutgers<\/a>) +1 Coaches 76-100<\/p>\n 76. Tavita Pritchard<\/a> (Stanford<\/a>) NR Coaches 101-138<\/p>\n 101. Sonny Cumbie<\/a> (Louisiana Tech<\/a>) +8
12. Kyle Whittingham<\/a> (Michigan<\/a>) +1
13. Rhett Lashlee<\/a> (SMU<\/a>) +10
14. Jeff Brohm<\/a> (Louisville<\/a>) +1
15. Lincoln Riley<\/a> (USC<\/a>) -3
16. Josh Heupel<\/a> (Tennessee<\/a>) -5
17. Eli Drinkwitz<\/a> (Missouri<\/a>) +4
18. Sonny Dykes<\/a> (TCU<\/a>) -4
19. Joey McGuire<\/a> (Texas Tech<\/a>) +24
20. James Franklin<\/a> (Virginia Tech<\/a>) -12
21. Matt Campbell<\/a> (Penn State<\/a>) -5
22. Kalani Sitake<\/a> (BYU<\/a>) +9
23. Brent Venables<\/a> (Oklahoma<\/a>) +18
24. Kirk Ferentz<\/a> (Iowa<\/a>) -5
25. Bret Bielema<\/a> (Illinois<\/a>) \u2013<\/p>\n
27. Willie Fritz<\/a> (Houston<\/a>) +29
28. Jedd Fisch<\/a> (Washington<\/a>) \u2013
29. P.J. Fleck<\/a> (Minnesota<\/a>) +3
30. Kenny Dillingham<\/a> (Arizona State<\/a>) -8
31. Clark Lea<\/a> (Vanderbilt<\/a>) +29
32. Brent Key<\/a> (Georgia Tech<\/a>) +16
33. Pete Golding<\/a> (Ole Miss<\/a>) NR
34. Eric Morris<\/a> (Oklahoma State<\/a>) \u2013
35. Mike Norvell<\/a> (Florida State<\/a>) -7
36. Jon Sumrall<\/a> (Florida<\/a>) +30
37. Luke Fickell<\/a> (Wisconsin<\/a>) -8
38. Dave Doeren<\/a> (NC State<\/a>) \u2013
39. Spencer Danielson<\/a> (Boise State<\/a>) -6
40. Pat Narduzzi<\/a> (Pittsburgh<\/a>) -3
41. Dan Mullen<\/a> (UNLV<\/a>) +29
42. Matt Rhule<\/a> (Nebraska<\/a>) -6
43. David Braun<\/a> (Northwestern<\/a>) +16
44. Tony Elliott<\/a> (Virginia<\/a>) +33
45. Lance Leipold<\/a> (Kansas<\/a>) -7
46. Shane Beamer<\/a> (South Carolina<\/a>) -6
47. Jake Dickert<\/a> (Wake Forest<\/a>) +16
48. Brent Brennan<\/a> (Arizona<\/a>) +27
49. Ryan Silverfield<\/a> (Arkansas<\/a>) +35
50. Alex Golesh<\/a> (Auburn<\/a>) +42<\/p>\n
52. Pat Fitzgerald<\/a> (Michigan State<\/a>) NR
53. Fran Brown<\/a> (Syracuse<\/a>) -11
54. Deion Sanders<\/a> (Colorado<\/a>) -15
55. Dave Aranda<\/a> (Baylor<\/a>) -4
56. Bill Belichick<\/a> (North Carolina<\/a>) -38
57. Bob Chesney<\/a> (UCLA<\/a>) +40
58. Mike Locksley<\/a> (Maryland<\/a>) -3
59. Rich Rodriguez<\/a> (West Virginia<\/a>) -2
60. Scott Satterfield<\/a> (Cincinnati<\/a>) +4
61. Bill O\u2019Brien<\/a> (Boston College<\/a>) -31
62. Jeff Lebby<\/a> (Mississippi State<\/a>) +17
63. Scott Frost<\/a> (UCF<\/a>) +5
64. Barry Odom<\/a> (Purdue<\/a>) +9
65. Jimmy Rogers<\/a> (Iowa State<\/a>) -7
66. Morgan Scalley<\/a> (Utah<\/a>) NR
67. Will Stein<\/a> (Kentucky<\/a>) NR
68. Tosh Lupoi<\/a> (California<\/a>) NR
69. Collin Klein<\/a> (Kansas State<\/a>) NR
70. Brian Newberry<\/a> (Navy<\/a>) -20
71. Jamey Chadwell<\/a> (Liberty<\/a>) -24
72. Jason Candle<\/a> (UConn<\/a>) -5
73. Jeff Monken<\/a> (Army<\/a>) +3
74. Matt Entz<\/a> (Fresno State<\/a>) -3
75. Jim Mora<\/a> (Colorado State<\/a>) +3<\/p>\n
77. Tyson Helton<\/a> (Western Kentucky<\/a>) +3
78. Bronco Mendenhall<\/a> (Utah State<\/a>) -4
79. Billy Napier<\/a> (James Madison<\/a>) -21
80. Troy Calhoun<\/a> (Air Force<\/a>) -11
81. G.J. Kinne<\/a> (Texas State<\/a>) +7
82. Jeff Traylor<\/a> (UTSA<\/a>) -1
83. Jason Eck<\/a> (New Mexico<\/a>) +41
84. Blake Harrell<\/a> (East Carolina<\/a>) +23
85. Ricky Rahne<\/a> (Old Dominion<\/a>) \u2013
86. Neal Brown<\/a> (North Texas<\/a>) \u2013
87. Lance Taylor<\/a> (Western Michigan<\/a>) +17
88. Chuck Martin<\/a> (Miami OH<\/a>) -6
89. Tim Polasek<\/a> (North Dakota State<\/a>) NR
90. Jerry Mack<\/a> (Kennesaw State<\/a>) +33
91. Blake Anderson<\/a> (Southern Miss<\/a>) NR
92. Sean Lewis<\/a> (San Diego State<\/a>) +27
93. Charles Huff<\/a> (Memphis<\/a>) -10
94. Charles Kelly<\/a> (Jacksonville State<\/a>) +21
95. Ken Niumatalolo<\/a> (San Jose State<\/a>) -9
96. Butch Jones<\/a> (Arkansas State<\/a>) \u2013
97. Willie Simmons<\/a> (FIU<\/a>) +13
98. Clay Helton<\/a> (Georgia Southern<\/a>) -8
99. Timmy Chang<\/a> (Hawaii<\/a>) +7
100. K.C. Keeler<\/a> (Temple<\/a>) \u2013<\/p>\n
102. Gerad Parker<\/a> (Troy<\/a>) +6
103. Michael Desormeaux<\/a> (Louisiana<\/a>) -12
104. Matt Drinkall<\/a> (Central Michigan<\/a>) +23
105. Major Applewhite<\/a> (South Alabama<\/a>) -7
106. Ryan Beard<\/a> (Coastal Carolina<\/a>) +30
107. Ryan Carty<\/a> (Delaware<\/a>) +28
108. Pete Lembo<\/a> (Buffalo<\/a>) +19
109. Dowel Loggains<\/a> (Appalachian State<\/a>) +17
110. Chris Creighton<\/a> (Eastern Michigan<\/a>) -11
111. Mark Carney<\/a> (Kent State<\/a>) +23
112. Tony Gibson<\/a> (Marshall<\/a>) +17
113. Scott Abell<\/a> (Rice<\/a>) +15
114. Brian Hartline<\/a> (USF<\/a>) NR
115. JaMarcus Shephard<\/a> (Oregon State<\/a>) NR
116. Mike Jacobs (Toledo<\/a>) NR
117. John Hauser<\/a> (Ohio<\/a>) NR
118. Tre Lamb<\/a> (Tulsa<\/a>) +13
119. Joe Moorhead<\/a> (Akron<\/a>) +1
120. Eddie George<\/a> (Bowling Green<\/a>) +5
121. Derek Mason<\/a> (Middle Tennessee State<\/a>) -7
122. Tim Albin<\/a> (Charlotte<\/a>) -35
123. Kirby Moore<\/a> (Washington State<\/a>) NR
124. Jay Sawvel<\/a> (Wyoming<\/a>) NR
125. Jeff Choate<\/a> (Nevada<\/a>) -4
126. Bryant Vincent<\/a> (Louisiana-Monroe<\/a>) -8
127. Will Hall<\/a> (Tulane<\/a>) -25
128. Mike Uremovich<\/a> (Ball State<\/a>) +2
129. Phil Longo<\/a> (Sam Houston<\/a>) -17
130. Rob Harley<\/a> (Northern Illinois<\/a>) NR
131. CJ Woods<\/a> (Missouri State<\/a>) NR
132. Tony Sanchez<\/a> (New Mexico State<\/a>) NR
133. Alex Mortensen<\/a> (UAB<\/a>) NR
134. Zach Kittley<\/a> (FAU<\/a>) NR
135. Dell McGee<\/a> (Georgia State<\/a>) -18
136. Scotty Walden<\/a> (UTEP<\/a>) -14
137. Alonzo Carter<\/a> (Sacramento State<\/a>) NR
138. Joe Harasyimak<\/a> (UMass<\/a>) -5<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Heading into the 2026 college football season, The Sporting News has ranked all 138 FBS head coaches. Unsurprisingly,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":697103,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[24321,399,129371,398,396,397,99],"class_list":["post-697102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ncaa-football","tag-curt-cignetti","tag-football","tag-kirby-smart-95-bainbridge","tag-ncaa","tag-ncaa-football","tag-ncaafootball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/697102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=697102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/697102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/697103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=697102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=697102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=697102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}