Mario Cristobal ranked No. 1 in ACC Coach Rankings for 2026

Mario Cristobal of Miami has been ranked the top coach in the ACC for the 2026 season, moving up from No. 3 in 2025. He leads an updated assessment by CBS Sports, who ranked him seventh nationally. Dabo Swinney of Clemson falls to second in the ACC after previously holding the top spot, reflecting shifts in performance evaluations. The rankings highlight Kevin Key at Georgia Tech's rise following a nine-win season, alongside notable mention of other coaches like James Franklin and Rhett Lashlee. Overall, these rankings are part of an ongoing debate about coach effectiveness as teams prepare for the upcoming season.

• 4:00 PMCBS Sports — ACC Coach Rankings 2026: Mario Cristobal takes No. 1 from Dabo Swinney, Mike Norvell tumbles again