Curt Cignetti of Indiana named top Big Ten coach for 2026 season
CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 2:01 PM
Last updated Aug 4, 2026

Curt Cignetti of Indiana has been ranked the top coach in the Big Ten for the 2026 season, following a successful campaign that included a national title. Ryan Day of Ohio State, who held the top spot last year, has dropped to second place after the Buckeyes finished 12-2 but lost in their final two games. Dan Lanning of Oregon is placed third, having led the Ducks to consecutive Big Ten championships and a playoff appearance. The rankings reflect Cignetti's rapid ascension after just two years at Indiana, marking a significant shift in the conference's coaching hierarchy as the season approaches.
- •Cignetti achieves No. 1 ranking after winning a national title at Indiana.
- •Ryan Day falls to No. 2 after Ohio State's 2025 season end.
- •Dan Lanning maintains third place following two Big Ten titles at Oregon.
- •Kyle Whittingham joins Michigan as a new coach, ranked fourth.
- •Matt Campbell takes over at Penn State, marking a significant appointment.
- 2:01 PMCBS Sports — Big Ten coach rankings 2026: Curt Cignetti overtakes Ryan Day for the No. 1 spot
"A look at how all 18 coaches in the Big Ten line up ahead of the 2026 season
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