The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be wild, honestly. A dizzying carousel of coaching changes has everyone buzzing.
With 34 FBS teams hiring new head coaches, fans and analysts are left guessing how these new faces will shake things up. Big moves like Lane Kiffin to LSU, James Franklin to Virginia Tech, and Kyle Whittingham to Michigan have set the tone.
The grades for these hires? All over the place—A+ to C-. Expectations are sky-high for some, and, well, a bit more cautious for others.
Top Coaching Hires for 2026
Out of the 34 new head coaches, a handful really pop off the page. Their resumes are stacked, and the pressure is on to deliver—fast.
Lane Kiffin to LSU
Grade: A+
Lane Kiffin landing at LSU might just be the headline of the 2026 carousel. Kiffin’s handled the transfer portal and NIL era like a pro, which, let’s be honest, is no easy feat.
He put up a 55-19 record at Ole Miss, with three straight years of double-digit wins. At LSU, it’s all about chasing that national championship.
Kiffin’s recruiting chops and his love for high-octane offenses are a near-perfect fit for the Bayou Bengals. He’s got the swagger for it, too.
Kyle Whittingham to Michigan
Grade: A+
Kyle Whittingham didn’t stay retired for long, did he? Michigan snapped him up, and now he brings decades of experience to Ann Arbor.
He posted a 177-88 record at Utah, with eight seasons of at least 10 wins. Michigan fans are hoping he’s the missing piece for a playoff run—finally.
James Franklin to Virginia Tech
Grade: A
James Franklin’s Penn State chapter ended on a sour note, but Virginia Tech is giving him a clean slate. He was let go after a shaky 3-3 start in 2025, but his career record—104 wins and six 10-win seasons—speaks for itself.
Now, Franklin’s tasked with turning the Hokies into ACC contenders. It’s a tall order, but if anyone’s up for it, it might just be him.
Up-and-Coming Coaches
Beyond the big names, there’s a crop of fresh faces stepping into FBS head coaching gigs. They’re bringing new ideas, and maybe a little chaos, to the table.
Will Stein to Kentucky
Grade: A-
Will Stein, a Kentucky native and former Louisville QB, is taking the reins at Kentucky. He was behind some of the country’s flashiest offenses at Oregon in recent years and is already making waves with a killer transfer portal class.
At just 36, Stein’s bound to hit some bumps, but his offensive creativity and local roots make him a genuinely intriguing SEC hire. You get the sense he’s got something to prove.
Collin Klein to Kansas State
Grade: A-
Collin Klein is back where it all started—Kansas State. After calling plays at Texas A&M, he’s returning as head coach to his alma mater.
Klein racked up over 7,000 yards as a Wildcat and knows the program inside out. He’s never been a head coach before, but he’s already viewed as one of the brightest offensive minds out there.
Experienced Coaches Seeking Second Chances
Some coaches are hoping for redemption, eager to show they can still get it done at the highest level.
Pat Fitzgerald to Michigan State
Grade: B-
Pat Fitzgerald is back in the Big Ten after being ousted from Northwestern amid hazing allegations. He was cleared, but the whole saga left a mark.
He went 110-101 at Northwestern, including three 10-win seasons. Things got rough at the end, but his Big Ten experience makes him a steady, if not flashy, pick for Michigan State.
Billy Napier to James Madison
Grade: B-
Billy Napier didn’t last at Florida, but he landed quickly at James Madison. His 40-12 run at Louisiana is still fresh in people’s minds.
Now, Napier’s out to rebuild his image and push the Dukes to new heights in the Sun Belt. It’s a chance for a reset.
Promising Assistants Taking the Helm
A few assistants are getting their shot at running the show, and honestly, it’s about time.
Tosh Lupoi to California
Grade: B-
Tosh Lupoi is finally getting his first head coaching gig, and it’s at his alma mater, California. He’s made his name as a recruiter and defensive assistant at Oregon, Alabama, and even in the NFL.
Lupoi knows the Cal program well, and his recruiting skills could give the Bears a real boost. There’s no guarantee, but there’s real potential here.
JaMarcus Shephard to Oregon State
Grade: B-
JaMarcus Shephard, widely recognized as one of college football’s top wide receiver coaches, is stepping into his first head coaching job at Oregon State.
His energy and passion for the game? Honestly, it’s hard not to feel a bit optimistic about what he might bring to Corvallis.
He’s logged time at Western Kentucky, Washington State, Purdue, Washington, and even Alabama. That’s a lot of different locker rooms and playbooks—so he should be ready for just about anything this new gig throws at him.
If you’re curious about how all the fresh faces in college football coaching stack up, or just want to dig deeper into the grading of all the new head coach hires, Athlon Sports has the rundown.
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