Expand CFP, dump conference title games? Coaches outline vision for college football

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Expand CFP, dump conference title games? Coaches outline vision for college football

John Brice, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Wed, May 6, 2026 ·

4 min read

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College football’s largest professional organization for coaches publicly endorsed an expansion to the College Football Playoff , elimination of conference championship games and an earlier end to the season.

"Expanding the Playoff is inevitable," New Mexico coach Jason Eck told USA TODAY Sports. "Getting the season completed earlier is crucial for the future of college football."

While addressing the college football calendar at its recent AFCA Board of Trustees meeting, the association declared its formal support for an expansion to the current 12-team CFP, which just completed its second year after nearly a decade of a four-team format.

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The AFCA also outlined a method to conclude the playoffs by the second weekend of January.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) embraces his family on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

(Grace Hollars, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) lifts the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy as the team celebrates winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is interviewed by ESPN personality Rece Davis after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK)

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK)

A national champions flag is is seen after the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12), wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) and linebacker PJ Nelson (30) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images)

The Indiana Hoosiers reacts against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Ryland Gandy (10) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with wide receiver Charlie Becker (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of the CFP National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Grace Hollars, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) celebrates with defensive back Louis Moore (7) after making an interception against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) reacts after getting an interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

“Future playoff models should maximize the number of participants while honoring the proposed completion date,” the AFCA said in a statement posted to its website.

In a late-April interview with USA TODAY Sports, first-year Kentucky coach Will Stein adamantly supported a move to a 24-team playoff format.

“For us, nine-game (SEC) league, hell yeah," Stein said. “If I’m a Kentucky Wildcat fan and we get to 24, that’s what we want. That means eight people from this league are getting in. If you get a chance in a knockout round, I’m taking it all day. Get a home-field game here in Kroger Field? Are you kidding me? Love it.”

First-year Memphis coach Charles Huff , reached Tuesday evening by USA TODAY Sports, also voiced unequivocal support for a CFP expansion.

“Tell me how many teams you want in and spot the ball,” said Huff, two years removed from a Sun Belt Conference title at Marshall and having guided his teams to five bowls in five seasons as an FBS head coach. “There’s pros and cons to both, not sure there is a perfect number.”

San Diego State coach Sean Lewis also threw his support behind expansion.

“I believe this will be a great move for the game and for all who are passionate about college football," he said. "Obviously, lots to be worked out but excited about the direction we are heading.”

But support wasn't universal.

Second-year Central Michigan coach Matt Drinkall, who previously coached four NAIA playoff games and also served for six seasons as an assistant coach in Jeff Monken's Army program, pushed back against the support of an expansion format that would entirely eliminate all conference championship games.

"The reality is, there are paramount issues the NCAA needs to prioritize before they can meaningfully address postseason play in football," said Drinkall, who guided CMU to a seven-win season and bowl berth as a first-time FBS head coach in 2025. "Until those issues are addressed, the football paradigm will continue to constantly change.

"With so much uncertainty, you just try to coach your best, play your best and fight like hell to win 'em all."

The Football Championship Subdivision — formerly NCAA’s Division I-AA — has conducted a 24-team playoff with its top eight teams receiving opening-round byes and the remaining 16 teams squaring off in the opening round.

How would the AFCA’s endorsed model potentially work?

The coaches’ association wants to “reduce bye weeks from two to one; preserve a dedicated window for the annual Army-Navy game; have no more than six days between College Football Playoff contest.”

This model, said the AFCA, would position college football’s top division to conclude its season with a national championship game no later than the second Monday of January. It would be seeded one through 24.

“Structuring the season in this way will better support student-athletes by more closely matching the academic calendar and aligning with the single transfer portal window,” the AFCA’s statement said. “It also elevates the quality of play during the most meaningful stretch of the season by removing unnecessary breaks and preserving competitive rhythm.”

On April 16, the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee recommended standardizing the first contest date in the sport and eliminating all exceptions, beginning with the 2027 season.

Under the proposal, future FBS regular seasons would be standardized to 14 weeks, during which teams could schedule 12 games. The season would begin on the Thursday of what is now designated Week 0 and end on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coaches say expand CFP, eliminate conference championships, fix calendar

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