With the 2026 college football season creeping closer, anticipation is everywhere. Fans and analysts can’t stop talking about the upcoming action, especially when it comes to ranking the top coaches in the game.
USA Today just dropped its latest list of the top 25 head coaches for the new season. The ranking factors in national championships, playoff runs, how well coaches build their programs, and who’s got the most momentum lately.
Let’s get into who made the biggest waves—and why.
Curt Cignetti Tops the List
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti sits at the very top, and honestly, it’s hard to argue against it. He led the Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship, which is a wild achievement for a program that’s never been there before.
Indiana’s posted a 27-2 overall record under Cignetti, with a 17-1 mark in Big Ten play across just two seasons. The turnaround’s been, well, kind of unbelievable.
Key Highlights of Curt Cignetti’s Tenure
- National Championship: Indiana’s first in history.
- Overall Record: 27-2 in two seasons.
- Big Ten Play: 17-1 record.
USA Today called out Cignetti’s knack for turning Indiana into a national powerhouse. That’s what landed him the top spot.
Kirby Smart’s Consistency at Georgia
Kirby Smart is still hanging near the top after another strong stretch with Georgia. The Bulldogs have picked up three SEC championships in the last four years, cementing their spot among the game’s perennial contenders.
Smart’s recruiting chops and his ability to keep top talent in Athens have fueled Georgia’s run. He’s built a machine there, no doubt.
Georgia’s Achievements Under Kirby Smart
- SEC Championships: Three in the past four seasons.
- Recruitment: Consistently top-tier recruiting classes.
Georgia might not be steamrolling everyone like they did a few years back, but under Smart, they’re always in the mix.
Ryan Day’s Dominance at Ohio State
Ryan Day keeps Ohio State among the sport’s elite. He finally broke through against Michigan and grabbed a national title, so he heads into 2026 with a résumé that’s tough to match.
Day’s got 82 wins in 94 games and six top-five finishes. The Buckeyes are still a major NFL pipeline with him at the helm.
Ohio State’s Success Under Ryan Day
- Overall Record: 82 wins in 94 games.
- Top-Five Finishes: Six during his tenure.
Marcus Freeman’s Rise at Notre Dame
Marcus Freeman is on the rise after steering Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. At just 40 years old, he’s shifted the vibe in South Bend since taking over from Brian Kelly.
Freeman’s racked up 43 wins in four seasons and upgraded the roster year by year. Now, the only thing missing is a national title—something Notre Dame hasn’t seen since 1988.
Freeman’s Impact at Notre Dame
- Overall Record: 43 victories in four seasons.
- Playoff Appearance: Reached the National Championship Game.
Dan Lanning’s Consistency at Oregon
Dan Lanning’s made Oregon one of the most reliable winners in the country since arriving in Eugene. The Ducks are 48-6 under his watch, plus they’ve started Big Ten play with a bang.
He’s had some deep postseason runs, but the national championship still eludes him. Oregon’s not far off, though.
Oregon’s Achievements Under Dan Lanning
- Overall Record: 48-6 under Lanning.
- Big Ten Play: Dominant start to conference play.
Lane Kiffin’s Move to LSU
Lane Kiffin lands at No. 6 after jumping from Ole Miss to LSU. He led the Rebels to the College Football Playoff before snagging one of the SEC’s most coveted gigs.
Kiffin’s known for developing quarterbacks and squeezing the most out of transfer portal additions. Now he faces the pressure cooker that is Baton Rouge.
Kiffin’s Success at Ole Miss and LSU
- Playoff Appearance: Led Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff.
- Quarterback Development: Known for developing top quarterbacks.
Mario Cristobal’s Resurgence at Miami
Mario Cristobal made a huge leap in the rankings after guiding Miami to the College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes’ postseason run turned heads, and Cristobal’s built a tough, defensive-minded culture through recruiting and the transfer portal.
After a rough start, Miami’s now won 23 of its last 29 games. Heading into 2026, they’re right back in the national conversation.
Miami’s Turnaround Under Cristobal
- Overall Record: 23 wins in the last 29 games.
- Playoff Appearance: Reached the College Football Playoff.
Steve Sarkisian’s Impact at Texas
Steve Sarkisian stays in the top 10, even with Texas missing the playoff last year. Wins over rivals Oklahoma and Texas A&M have changed what fans expect in Austin.
These days, winning 10 games almost feels disappointing. That’s how much Sarkisian has raised the bar. With another stacked roster, Texas has a real shot at a national title run.
Sarkisian’s Achievements at Texas
- Rivalry Wins: Victories over Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
- Program Elevation: Changed expectations in Austin.
Kalen DeBoer’s Tenure at Alabama
Kalen DeBoer’s still getting used to life after Nick Saban at Alabama. He’s got 19 wins in two seasons, with big victories over Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and Auburn.
Sure, there’ve been a couple of unexpected losses, and fans are restless at times. But Alabama’s still a top program, and there’s a sense DeBoer’s building toward something big.
DeBoer’s Success at Alabama
- Overall Record: 19 wins in two seasons.
- Rivalry Wins: Victories over Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and Auburn.
Dabo Swinney’s Legacy at Clemson
Dabo Swinney rounds out the top 10, even though Clemson’s been a bit up and down lately. The Tigers still have two national titles and nine conference championships under his leadership.
USA Today pointed out Clemson’s struggles in the transfer portal era after a rough 7-6 season. Can Swinney adapt and bring Clemson back to the top? That’s the big question.
Clemson’s Achievements Under Swinney
- National Championships: Two under Swinney.
- Conference Titles: Nine during his tenure.
Swinney’s led Clemson to serious success. It’s tough to argue against his place among the best coaches in college football.
If you want to check out the full list of the top 25 college football coaches for 2026, the original article is over at USA Today’s rankings.
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