Sporting News released its annual 1-138 coach rankings with a major change at the top.
Curt Cignetti claimed the No. 1 spot after leading Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and national championship in 2025. Georgia’s Kirby Smart dropped to No. 2 after holding the top position for two consecutive years.
Nine coaches ranked in the top 25 participated in last season’s College Football Playoff.
Three coaches moved into the top 25: Mike Elko at Texas A&M (No. 12), Joey McGuire at Texas Tech (No. 19), and Brent Venables at Oklahoma (No. 23).
Eric Morris at Oklahoma State (No. 34) made the biggest jump in the rankings. He joined three other coaches who moved up more than 40 spots: Auburn’s Alex Golesh (No. 53), UCLA’s Bob Chesney (No. 57), and New Mexico’s Jason Eck (No. 83).
North Carolina’s Bill Belichick (No. 56) and Boston College’s Bill O’Brien (No. 61) each dropped more than 30 spots.
The rankings consider a coach’s overall record, current school record, and three-year performance. Career accomplishments and program expectations also factor into the decisions.
The Sporting News college football coaches rankings for 2026
Nos. 138-101
138. Joe Harasyimak, UMass (133)
137. Alonzo Carter, Sacramento State (NR)
136. Scotty Waldren, UTEP (122)
135. Dell McGee, Georgia State (117)
134. Zach Kitley, FAU (132)
133. Alex Mortensen, UAB (NR)
132. Tony Sanchez, New Mexico State (NR)
131. CJ Woods, Missouri State (NR)
130. Rob Harley, Northern Illinois (NR)
129. Phil Longo, Sam Houston (112)
128. Mike Uremovich, Ball State (130)
127. Will Hall, Tulane (102)
126. Bryant Vincent, Louisiana-Monroe (118)
125. Jeff Choate, Nevada (121)
124. Jay Sawvel, Wyoming (NR)
123. Kirby Moore, Washington State (NR)
122. Tim Moore, Charlotte (87)
121. Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee State (114)
120. Eddie George, Bowling Green (125)
119. Joe Moorhead, Akron (120)
118. Tre Lamb, Tulsa (131)
117. John Hauser, Ohio (NR)
116. Mike Jacobs, Toledo (NR)
115. JaMarcus Shephard, Oregon State (NR)
114. Brian Hartline, South Florida (NR)
113. Scott Abell, Rice (128)
112. Tony Gibson, Marshall (129)
111. Max Carney, Kent State (134)
110. Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan (99)
109. Dowel Loggains, Appalachian State (126)
108. Pete Lembo, Buffalo (89)
107. Ryan Carty, Delaware (135)
106. Ryan Beard, Coastal Carolina (136)
105. Major Applewhite, South Alabama (98)
104. Matt Drinkall, Central Michigan (127)
103. Michael Desormeaux, Louisiana (91)
102. Gerad Parker, Troy (108)
101. Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech (109)
Nos. 100-71
100. K.C. Keeler, Temple (100)
99. Timmy Chang, Hawai’i (106)
98. Clay Helton, Georgia Southern (90)
97. Willie Simmons, Florida International (110)
96. Butch Jones, Arkansas State (96)
95. Ken Niumatalolo, San Jose State (86)
94. Charles Kelly, Jacksonville State (115)
93. Charles Huff, Memphis (83)
92. Sean Lewis, San Diego State (119)
91. Blake Anderson, Southern Miss (NR)
90. Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State (123)
89. Tim Polasek, North Dakota State (NR)
88. Chuck Martin, Miami (82)
87. Lance Taylor, Western Michigan (104)
86. Neal Brown, North Texas (86)
85. Ricky Rahne, Old Dominion (85)
84. Blake Harrrell, East Carolina (107)
83. Jason Eck, New Mexico (124)
82. Jeff Traylor, UTSA (81)
81. G.J. Kinne, Texas State (88)
80. Troy Calhoun, Air Force (69)
79. Billy Napier, James Madison (58)
78. Bronco Mendenhall, Utah State (74)
77. Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky (80)
76. Tavita Pritchard, Stanford (NR)
75. Jim Mora Jr., Colorado State (78)
74. Matt Entz, Fresno State (71)
73. Jeff Monken, Army (76)
72. Jason Candle, UConn (67)
71. Jamey Chadwell, Liberty (47)
Nos. 70-51
70. Brian Newberry, Navy (50)
69. Collin Klein, Kansas State (NR)
68. Tosh Lupoi, Cal (NR)
67. Will Stein, Kentucky (NR)
66. Morgan Scalley, Utah (NR)
65. Jimmy Rogers, Iowa State (72)
64. Barry Odom, Purdue (73)
63. Scott Frost, UCF (68)
62. Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State (79)
61. Bill O’Brien, Boston College (30)
60. Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati (64)
59. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia (57)
58. Mike Locksley, Maryland (55)
57. Bob Chesney, UCLA (97)
56. Bill Belichick, North Carolina (18)
55. Dave Aranda, Baylor (51)
54. Deion Sanders, Colorado (39)
53. Fran Brown, Syracuse (42)
52. Pat Fitzgerald, Michigan State (NR)
51. Greg Schiano, Rutgers (52)
Nos. 50-26
50. Alex Golesh, Auburn (92)
49. Ryan Silverfield, Arkansas (84)
48. Brent Brennan, Arizona (75)
47. Jake Dickert, Wake Forest (63)
46. Shane Beamer, South Carolina (40)
45. Lance Leipold, Kansas (38)
44. Tony Elliott, Virginia (77)
43. David Braun, Northwestern (59)
42. Matt Rhule, Nebraska (36)
41. Dan Mullen, UNLV (70)
40. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt (37)
39. Spencer Danielson, Boise State (33)
38. Dave Doeren, NC State (38)
37. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin (29)
36. Jon Sumrall, Florida (66)
35. Mike Norvell, Florida State (28)
34. Eric Morris, Oklahoma State (34)
33. Pete Golding, Ole Miss (NR)
32. Brent Key, Georgia Tech (48)
31. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt (60)
30. Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State (22)
29. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota (32)
38. Jedd Fisch, Washington (28)
27. Willie Fritz, Houston (56)
26. Manny Diaz, Duke (50)
Nos. 25-1
25. Bret Bielema, Illinois
Last year: 25
Record: 134-84 (37-26 at Illinois)
Bielema edged out Duke’s Manny Diaz and Houston’s Willie Fritz for this spot. He’s led Illinois to 19 victories over the past two seasons – the best two-year stretch in program history. This mirrors his successful run at Wisconsin from 2006-12.
Illinois should continue that success in 2026. Bielema can build on it by leading the program to its first CFP appearance.
24. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Last year: 19
Record: 209-128
At 70, Ferentz is the second-oldest coach in FBS behind North Carolina’s Bill Belichick. He became the Big Ten’s all-time leader in career wins last season.
The Hawkeyes have won eight or more games in five straight seasons. Ferentz has his critics, but he continues producing winning teams heading into his 28th season as Iowa’s head coach.
23. Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Last year: 41
Record: 32-20
Venables was on the hot seat heading into last season. He responded by leading the Sooners back to the College Football Playoff.
Hiring offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle was smart. The defense ranked seventh in the FBS at 15.5 points per game allowed.
Oklahoma went 5-2 against ranked opponents through a brutal SEC schedule. Venables also has an extension running through 2029.
22. Kalani Sitake, BYU
Last year: 31
Record: 84-45
Sitake hovered around the top 25 in recent years, but he continues building his stock with the Cougars. BYU has won 10 or more games in four of the past six seasons.
They just missed the CFP the past two years. Sitake made a quick adjustment to the Big 12. BYU is 4-3 against ranked opponents over the past two seasons.
Sitake also turned down the Penn State job last offseason.
21. Matt Campbell, Penn State
Last year: 16
Record: 107-70 (0-0 at Penn State)
Campbell finally moved up to a Big Ten program with his offseason transfer from Iowa State to Penn State. He went 26-13 with the Cyclones over the past three seasons.
Campbell steps into a bigger job where expectations will be higher. It’s the right-time hire for Penn State. He’ll also be linked to the next coach on the list.
20. James Franklin, Virginia Tech
Last year: 8
Record: 128-60 (0-0 at Virginia Tech)
Franklin starts a new chapter at Virginia Tech after parting ways with Penn State last season. He has top program-building skills, recruits well, and enjoyed consistent success with the Nittany Lions.
A 4-21 record against top-10 opponents followed Franklin throughout his Penn State tenure.
A fresh start in Blacksburg was needed. Franklin should challenge to be one of the top ACC coaches as early as this season.
19. Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
Last year: 43
Record: 35-18
Remember when McGuire said “Everything runs through Lubbock!” back in 2022? The Big 12 does heading into 2026.
The Red Raiders are the defending conference champions. McGuire has worked with transfer-heavy rosters and strong NIL support.
McGuire isn’t afraid to mix it up with other coaches. The back and forth with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian proves that. The Red Raiders are 1-4 against top-five teams under McGuire. That’s the next evolution for the program.
18. Sonny Dykes, TCU
Last year: 14
Record: 107-80 (36-17 at TCU)
Dykes led the Horned Frogs to back-to-back nine-win seasons. The 2022 run to the CFP championship game still carries value.
TCU has produced 16 NFL Draft picks over the past four years. Dykes has managed the transfer portal well in Fort Worth. He’s the only active Big 12 coach with a playoff victory.
With Mike Gundy, Kyle Whittingham, and Matt Campbell gone, the “best coach in the Big 12” label is up for grabs.
17. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Last year: 21
Record: 58-30 (49-29 at Missouri)
Is Drinkwitz too high? The Tigers are 29-10 over the past three years, but they’re coming off an 8-5 season.
Missouri finished 0-5 against ranked opponents last season. That makes it tough to push Drinkwitz higher, even though he keeps the Tigers in the top 25 throughout much of most seasons.
16. Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Last year: 11
Record: 73-28 (45-20 at Tennessee)
Heupel led the Vols to a fifth straight winning season one year after the program’s first CFP appearance. Tennessee finished .500 in SEC play in three of those five years.
The Vols will no longer be judged as much on traditional rivalries. Tennessee doesn’t play Florida or Georgia this season.
Heupel drops a few spots in the rankings heading into 2026.
15. Lincoln Riley, USC
Last year: 12
Record: 90-28 (35-18 at USC)
Riley owns the 10th-best career winning percentage among FBS coaches. He should be a top-10 coach, but the Trojans have averaged five losses each of the past three years.
They’re still adjusting to the Big Ten. There are flashes of brilliance, but this is a prove-it year with the addition of defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
14. Jeff Brohm, Louisville
Last year: 15
Record: 94-56 (28-12 at Louisville)
Brohm has won at least eight games each of the past five seasons between Purdue and Louisville. He moved up one spot from last season.
Brohm excels at quarterback development. Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz could have a breakout season as a result.
The Cardinals are 4-4 against top-25 teams over the past three years. Will Brohm lead a breakthrough in the ACC this season?
13. Rhett Lashlee, SMU
Last year: 23
Record: 38-16
The Mustangs are 31-10 over the past three seasons under Lashlee. They smoothly transitioned as a competitor with the move to the ACC.
Lashlee has led SMU to four straight winning seasons. He turned down opportunities to interview with SEC schools in the last cycle.
That’s great news for a program looking for an eighth consecutive winning season.
12. Kyle Whittingham, Michigan
Last year: 13
Record: 177-88 (0-0 at Michigan)
Whittingham ranks third among FBS coaches in career victories. He jumps to Michigan after 21 seasons with Utah.
Whittingham led Utah to 10 or more wins in four of the past seven seasons but never reached the CFP. He’ll be expected to do more with the Wolverines.
The 66-year-old coach should take advantage of the opportunity. Whittingham sits just outside the top 10 for the second straight season.
11. Mike Elko, Texas A&M
Last year: 26
Record: 35-16 (19-7 at Texas A&M)
Elko continues moving up each season. He’s won at multiple stops with Duke and Texas A&M. The Aggies are building off their first CFP appearance in 2025.
Elko is 6-4 against top-25 teams. A 0-2 record against Texas will invite more scrutiny if Texas A&M can’t flip the script on that renewed rivalry.
Elko has emerged as a voice of reason on the college football landscape. This is the right spot.
10. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Last year: 3
Record: 187-53
Swinney might be the toughest coach to rank on this list. He’s one of just two active coaches with multiple national championships and will likely be the next to reach 200 career victories.
However, the Tigers are 26-14 over the past three seasons. That .650 winning percentage doesn’t measure up after a disappointing 7-6 season in 2025.
Swinney remains in the top 10 – at least for now.
9. Mario Cristobal, Miami
Last year: 24
Record: 97-79 (35-19 at Miami)
Cristobal led the Hurricanes to a CFP championship game appearance last season. He’s built Miami from the inside out with physical offensive and defensive lines.
The transfer quarterback strategy worked with Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Will Darian Mensah keep that trend going?
Cristobal is the top-ranked coach in the ACC.
8. Lane Kiffin, LSU
Last year: 10
Record: 116-53 (0-0 at LSU)
Kiffin generates constant content off the field with his well-documented in-season move from Ole Miss to LSU. He went 55-19 at Ole Miss and elevated the Rebels into a top-10 program.
Now he takes on the LSU job, where three of the past four coaches won national titles.
The pressure is on Kiffin. The spotlight will be bright in the home opener against Clemson and a road trip to Ole Miss on Sept. 19.
7. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Last year: 5
Record: 94-55 (48-20 at Texas)
Texas made the adjustment to the SEC under Sarkisian. The Longhorns are 13-3 in regular-season conference play over the past two years.
Sarkisian has built a perennial playoff contender with elite recruiting and smart transfer portal additions. It’s been an impressive three-year run, though with a 2-6 record against top-five teams.
Sarkisian has the pieces around Arch Manning to make a deep playoff run with the Longhorns.
6. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Last year: 6
Record: 57-17 (20-8 at Alabama)
DeBoer is in the top 10 for the third straight season. He’s 34-9 with a CFP championship game appearance between Washington and Alabama over the past three years.
He’s handled the pressure of following Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide – an impossible task where the temperature never cools.
Alabama is 8-4 against top-25 teams over the past two seasons. DeBoer agreed to a seven-year, $87.5 million extension in the offseason.
5. Dan Lanning, Oregon
Last year: 7
Record: 48-8
Lanning cracks the top five for the first time and continues rising in the rankings each season. The Ducks are 26-3 since joining the Big Ten.
Lanning’s aggressive style continues to be a hit in Eugene. Back-to-back blowout losses in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals hurt, but the Ducks return another national championship contender in 2026.
Is this the year Oregon wins its first national title?
4. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
Last year: 4
Record: 43-12
Lanning could easily go here, but Freeman is the “best coach without a national championship” in the rankings. He led the Irish to the CFP championship game in 2024.
Notre Dame was snubbed from the playoff despite 10 wins last season. Freeman brought in a top-five recruiting class last year.
The Irish are 12-5 against top-25 opponents over the past three seasons. Freeman continues turning down NFL opportunities – which will continue as long as he has success in South Bend.
3. Ryan Day, Ohio State
Last year: 2
Record: 82-12
Day has led the Buckeyes to five College Football Playoff appearances in seven years. That run of success goes under-appreciated given the standards in Columbus.
Ohio State broke a four-game losing streak to Michigan in 2025. The Buckeyes have the second-best record in FBS since Day took over in 2019.
The recruiting and NFL Draft production remains at an all-time high in Columbus. Day also is tapping into NFL coordinators. Will new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith match what defensive coordinator Matt Patricia did last season?
2. Kirby Smart, Georgia
Last year: 1
Record: 117-21
Smart’s two-year run at the top is over – at least for one year. Is this an over-reaction?
Smart still delivered back-to-back SEC championships for the Bulldogs. He’s one of just two coaches with multiple national championships on this list. He’s also arguably the most influential voice in the sport – much like his mentor Nick Saban was at Alabama.
The Bulldogs have failed to advance past the CFP quarterfinals in the first two years of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Will that change in 2026?
1. Curt Cignetti, Indiana
Last year: 17
Record: 46-6 (27-2 at Indiana)
Look at what Cignetti has accomplished over the past three years between James Madison and Indiana. He led the Dukes to an 11-1 season in 2023, setting the groundwork for last year’s CFP run.
He turned Indiana – a perennial Big Ten punchline – into a Big Ten juggernaut that finished 16-0 last season.
Cignetti’s talent evaluation and development is elite. When you factor in stops at IUP and Elon, the 64-year-old coach has a .807 career winning percentage.
