Analysts rank top five college football head coaches for 2026 season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 4:39 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
As the 2026 college football season begins, five head coaches have emerged as leaders in the collegiate ranks based on recent performance and program development. Curt Cignetti of Indiana claims the top spot following a rapid transformation of the program that included a national championship in his second year. Georgia coach Kirby Smart holds the second position, recognized for maintaining perennial success through multiple titles and adaptation to the NIL and transfer portal era. Ryan Day of Ohio State follows at third, holding the highest career winning percentage in the modern era and a 2024 national title. Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame ranks fourth due to his consistency in top-25 games and a championship appearance. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning rounds out the top five, noted for consistent 10-win seasons despite remaining challenges against top-tier postseason competition.
- •Curt Cignetti transformed Indiana from a team with no prior 10-win seasons into a national champion within two years.
- •Kirby Smart ranks second with 117 wins in his first 10 seasons and two national titles at Georgia.
- •Ryan Day maintains a.872 career winning percentage at Ohio State, the highest since the AP Poll began in 1936.
- •Marcus Freeman holds a 16-7 record against top-25 opponents, the second-best mark in the FBS during his tenure.
- •Dan Lanning has led Oregon to four consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins since 2022.
- 4:39 PMYahoo Sports — Ranking the five best coaches in college football
"With the amount of roster turnover and turnover amongst assist coaches in college football, the lone constant for programs is often the head coach, which means that in order to have sustained success at the college level, you need a great coach. As we head into the 2026 college football season, five coaches have separated…
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