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Curt Cignetti tops college football coaches list after national title win

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 13, 2026, 9:16 AM

Last updated Jul 13, 2026

Curt Cignetti tops college football coaches list after national title win

Summary

Curt Cignetti of Indiana is ranked as the top college football coach following his team's national championship victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff final. Previously ranked 13th, Cignetti's rise is based on a 27-2 record and a dominant season in the Big Ten. Kirby Smart of Georgia, who held the top spot last year, falls to second, while Ryan Day of Ohio State is third after winning the national championship in 2024. The rankings were compiled by USA TODAY Sports through a voting process from a panel of 10 voters. Cignetti's success has drawn comparisons to Nick Saban, showcasing his impact on the sport.

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By the Numbers

•Curt Cignetti leads the rankings after Indiana's national title win.
•Kirby Smart drops to second, once retaining the top spot.
•Ryan Day retains third place following Ohio State's championship.
•Cignetti's record is 27-2 in two seasons at Indiana.
•The rankings were determined by a panel from USA TODAY Sports.

Latest Updates

9:16 AMYahoo Sports — Who are the top 25 college football coaches? Curt Cignetti moves past Kirby Smart

What they're saying

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There are outstanding college football coaches across all levels of the Bowl Subdivision. Who are the best? We put together our list of the top 25.
— Yahoo Sports

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