Kalani Sitake tops Big 12 coach rankings as Deion Sanders slips

Kalani Sitake of BYU has been ranked the top coach in the Big 12 for 2026, after a significant rise from sixth place last year. The Big 12 coaching has changed considerably, with three of the top coaches from the previous season no longer in the rankings. Other notable placements include Willie Fritz of Houston in second and Joey McGuire of Texas Tech in third. Following last season, which saw a high turnover in coaching positions, Sitake's team has achieved the fifth-best record in the FBS over the past two seasons. The rankings were published today by CBS Sports as teams prepare for the upcoming season.

• 1:11 PMCBS Sports — Big 12 coach rankings 2026: Kalani Sitake makes dramatic rise as Deion Sanders' stock falters