In college football, head coaching chops can make or break a team’s whole season. Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt recently dropped his Top 10 head coaches list after the 2025 season, heading into 2026.
Fans are already buzzing—some are thrilled, others are probably rolling their eyes. Let’s take a look at who made Klatt’s cut, what these coaches have pulled off, and why they’re getting all this attention.
Top of the Class: Kurt Cignetti
Kurt Cignetti, head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, landed at the very top. He led Indiana to a flawless 16-0 season and snagged a national championship, which, honestly, is wild.
With a 27-2 record over two years at IU and a career tally of 146-37, Cignetti’s got everyone chasing him in 2026.
Indiana’s Rise to Glory
Indiana’s transformation under Cignetti has been nothing short of jaw-dropping. They grabbed the Big Ten title and toppled some heavy hitters along the way.
His knack for strategy and motivating his squad has set a new bar—maybe even a blueprint for other programs.
Ryan Day: A Consistent Contender
Ryan Day from Ohio State is sitting at number two. Sure, his Buckeyes lost the Big Ten Championship to Indiana and couldn’t repeat as national champs, but his 82-12 record since 2019? That speaks for itself.
Day finally broke through the Michigan wall, too, keeping Ohio State right in the thick of national title talks.
Ohio State’s Championship Aspirations
Day’s time at Ohio State has been all about high standards and steady results. The Buckeyes have the pieces to make another run in 2026, and honestly, would anyone be surprised?
Kirby Smart: The SEC Standard
Kirby Smart of Georgia comes in third. Even with two straight Sugar Bowl losses, his Bulldogs never seem to fall out of the top 10.
He’s racked up a 117-21 career record and has two national titles—not too shabby for an “off year” or two.
Georgia’s Continued Dominance
Smart’s kept Georgia at the top in the cutthroat SEC. The Bulldogs aren’t going anywhere; they’ll be circling another championship shot this season.
Dan Lanning: The Rising Star
Dan Lanning at Oregon is fourth on Klatt’s list. Since 2022, he’s guided the Ducks to a 26-3 record and a Big Ten crown.
Oregon nearly bagged a national championship this year, which says a lot about Lanning’s quick rise.
Oregon’s Quest for Glory
Lanning’s turnaround with the Ducks has been fast and impressive. Oregon’s right on the edge of something huge—maybe this is finally the year they get that national title.
Marcus Freeman: The Fighting Irish Leader
Marcus Freeman holds the fifth spot. He’s led Notre Dame to double-digit wins every year except his first full run in 2022.
Freeman’s at 43-12 overall, brought home a national championship in 2024, and keeps Notre Dame in the elite conversation.
Notre Dame’s Pursuit of Excellence
Freeman’s run at Notre Dame has been all about steady wins and sky-high expectations. The Irish are hungry for another College Football Playoff appearance in 2026.
Steve Sarkisian: The Texas Turnaround
Steve Sarkisian, ranked sixth, has given Texas a real jolt with a 10-3 record in 2025. He’s 48-20 overall at Texas, and with Arch Manning at quarterback, there’s a buzz about a possible national title run.
Texas’ Championship Hopes
Sarkisian’s figured out how to tap into Texas’ talent and hype. This next season might just be a turning point for him and the Longhorns.
Kyle Whittingham: A New Challenge
Kyle Whittingham, now coaching Michigan, comes in seventh. He left Utah after a 177-88 run with multiple conference titles, taking over a Wolverines squad that went 10-2 in the Big 12 last year.
It’s a big move. Can Whittingham bring his tough, proven style to Ann Arbor and shake things up?
Michigan’s New Era
Whittingham’s all-business approach seems like just what Michigan needed. The Wolverines look ready for something bigger.
Kalani Sitake: The BYU Builder
Kalani Sitake at BYU is eighth on the list. His Cougars have gone 23-4 over the last two years, pushing BYU’s profile higher than ever.
Sitake’s got an 84-45 career mark, and BYU’s inching closer to a College Football Playoff spot.
BYU’s Ascent
Sitake’s leadership has BYU playing with real swagger. The Cougars look hungry for a shot on the national stage.
Mario Cristobal: The Miami Maestro
Ninth is Mario Cristobal at Miami. He took the Hurricanes to the national championship game in 2025, just missing out against Indiana.
Cristobal’s 35-19 at Miami, 97-79 overall, and now he’s got to figure out how to get back to that title game—and win it.
Miami’s Championship Aspirations
Guiding Miami to the national championship game put Cristobal’s name on the map again. The Hurricanes are itching to finish the job this time.
Lane Kiffin: The Lane Train Rolls On
Lane Kiffin rounds out Klatt’s top 10, now taking over at LSU. He left Ole Miss after a 55-19 run, including an 11-1 final season, so expectations in Baton Rouge are sky-high.
Kiffin’s got the pressure now—LSU fans want championships, and they want them fast. No one ever said that job was easy.
LSU’s Championship Expectations
Kiffin’s move to LSU comes with a lot of pressure. Still, if you look at his track record, it’s hard not to think he might be up for it.
The Tigers, honestly, are just itching to get back to the top of college football with Kiffin calling the shots.
For more details and the full rankings, check out Joel Klatt’s Top 10 Head Coaches in College Football.
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