Grading College Football's New Head Coach Hires for 2026

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Grading College Football's New Head Coach Hires for 2026

Steven Lassan

Thu, Feb 19, 2026 ·

17 min read

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The dust has finally settled on an active college football coaching carousel for the 2026 season with 34 teams hiring a new full-time head coach. Add in Northern Illinois playing the upcoming year under interim coach Rob Harley, and 25 percent of the 138 FBS programs had some type of coaching change from the previous year.

The carousel included several intriguing moves, including Lane Kiffin to LSU , James Franklin to Virginia Tech , and Kyle Whittingham to Michigan . This cycle of moves also included coaches wanting a second chance. That group of coaches included Pat Fitzgerald ( Michigan State ), Neal Brown ( North Texas ), and Billy Napier ( James Madison ). Up-and-coming assistants in Will Stein ( Kentucky ), Tosh Lupoi ( California ), and Collin Klein ( Kansas State ) are just a few names with high expectations in their first opportunity to be a FBS head coach.

Grading the new coach hires is an inexact science. However, we tried to weigh how strong a hire is relative to expectations, track record, and how well the coach seems to fit what the program needs the most at this time. Additionally, the resume and previous success (or lack thereof) for the coaches mattered a ton for this grade.

Here's a look at how Athlon Sports views, grades and ranks the 34 new coaches for 2026:

Grading College Football's New Head Coach Hires for 2026

LSU Tigers head coach Lane KiffinMatthew Hinton-Imagn Images

1.Lane Kiffin, LSU
Kiffin has navigated the new transfer portal and NIL rules as well as any coach in college football. After going 55-19 at Ole Miss with three consecutive seasons of double-digit victories, Kiffin was brought to Baton Rouge with one goal in mind: A national championship. The Bayou Bengals are sparing no expense on the talent acquisition front, and Kiffin should have no trouble keeping Louisiana 's top talent at home on the recruiting trail. That combination, along with an ability to build some of college football's top offenses, will quickly help Kiffin push LSU back into title contention.
Grade: A+

2. Kyle Whittingham, Michigan
Whittingham wasn't out of a job long following his decision to step down at Utah. The 66-year-old coach brings a needed steady hand to Ann Arbor, while the Michigan job offers Whittingham an opportunity to chase the only missing pieces on his resume: A playoff berth and a national championship. Whittingham went 177-88 and compiled eight seasons of 10 or more victories with the Utes . The program also finished No. 2 in the final Associated Press Top 25 in '08 after a perfect 13-0 season.
Grade: A+

Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC

3. James Franklin, Virginia Tech
Franklin was dismissed at Penn State in '25 after a 3-3 start in a season where the program expected to contend for a national title. Although his tenure in Happy Valley ended in disappointment, Franklin still won 104 games and had six seasons of 10 or more wins. Franklin's struggles in big games are notable, but his ability to win overall at a high level should turn Virginia Tech into an ACC title contender.
Grade: A

Florida Gators Football head coach Jon Sumrall Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

4. Jon Sumrall, Florida
Sumrall certainly understands life in the SEC from his background as a player at Kentucky and later stints as an assistant with the Wildcats and Ole Miss. In four years as a head coach in stops at Troy (2022-23) and Tulane (2023-24), Sumrall won at least nine games in every season and compiled a 43-12 record overall. After taking the Green Wave to an appearance in the College Football Playoff last year, Sumrall's next task is to help Florida get back on track on the national level after four losing seasons over the last five years.
Grade: A

5. Eric Morris, Oklahoma State
Morris knows how to build high-powered offenses and develop star quarterbacks. That combination should play well in Stillwater after he guided North Texas to a 22-16 mark over the last three years. The Mean Green displayed steady improvement under Morris' watch and finished 12-2 with one of the nation's most prolific offenses in '25. Morris is bringing a handful of key players from that squad, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins . The Cowboys could be the most-improved team in the nation in '26.
Grade: A

Related: Why North Dakota State is Ready for Move to Mountain West

6. Matt Campbell, Penn State
After a lengthy search, Penn State finally landed on Campbell to replace James Franklin. The Ohio native thrived at one of the toughest power conference jobs in the nation by recording a 72-55 mark and eight bowl trips at Iowa State. The Cyclones' 11-3 record was the best single season in program history , while a No. 9 ranking in '20 also marked the team's first top-10 finish. Campbell knows how to get the most out of a roster but expectations in Happy Valley will be higher than they were in Ames.
Grade: A

7. Bob Chesney, UCLA
After spending his entire coaching career on the East Coast, Chesney heads west tasked with turning around UCLA's fortunes in the Big Ten. Although the 48-year-old coach has to adjust for new terrain, he's won at every level, including a 21-6 mark at James Madison over the last two seasons and a trip to the College Football Playoff in '25. Counting that stint with the Dukes, along with stops at Salve Regina , Assumption, and Holy Cross, Chesney is 132-52 overall as a head coach.
Grade: A

8. Charles Huff, Memphis
Huff guided Southern Miss to a six-game improvement in the win column (1-11 to 7-6) in his only year in charge. Prior to last season in Hattiesburg, Huff had a successful four-year run at Marshall, including a 10-3 record with a Sun Belt title in '24. With significant ties to the Southeast and a track record of success as a recruiter and head coach at two different FBS jobs, Huff looks like the right pick to help Memphis challenge for a College Football Playoff spot in the near future.
Grade: A

9. Alex Golesh, Auburn
Golesh emerged as one of the top coaches in the Group of Six ranks by guiding South Florida to a 23-15 record over the last three seasons. Golesh's background of producing prolific offenses should provide instant help on the Plains. The Tigers have not finished higher than ninth in the SEC in scoring over the last six seasons.
Grade: A

New Kentucky Wildcat head coach Will Stein makes remarks as he is introduced at Kentucky.© Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

10. Will Stein, Kentucky
Mark Stoops was the winningest coach in Kentucky history, but Stein provides a much-needed breath of fresh air after the program grew stale over the last couple of seasons. The former Louisville quarterback and Kentucky native coordinated some of the nation's top offenses at Oregon over the last three seasons and already put his stamp on the program with a standout transfer portal class. As a young (36 years old) first-time head coach, Stein is likely to have some growing pains on the job in the rugged SEC.
Grade: A-

11. Collin Klein, Kansas State
Klein amassed over 7,000 total yards during his playing career at Kansas State, and the former quarterback finished third in Heisman voting in '12. He's back at his alma mater following a successful two-year stint as Texas A&M 's offensive coordinator. This is Klein's first head-coaching opportunity, but the former K-State quarterback knows what it takes to win in Manhattan and is among the top offensive minds in the nation.
Grade: A-

Related: College Football's Top 10 Transfer Portal Winners for 2026

12. Jim Mora, Colorado State
After his tenure at UCLA (2012-17) ended in dismissal, Mora's second stint as a collegiate head coach went significantly better. He guided UConn to a 27-23 mark from 2022-25, including back-to-back nine-win campaigns in his final two years in charge. Colorado State is a job with significant upside but has just one winning season since '18. Mora is tasked with helping this program reach its potential, especially as it moves to the Pac-12 this fall.
Grade: B+

13. Jimmy Rogers, Iowa State
Rogers has been on a fast rise through the coaching ranks. In just two seasons in charge at South Dakota State (2023-24), he guided the program to a 27-3 record and won the '23 FCS National Championship. Rogers was hired at Washington State last season and took a revamped roster to a solid 6-6 season with a bowl appearance. With ties to the Midwest from his stint at South Dakota State, along with an ability to get the most out of the roster, Rogers looks like a strong fit to replace Matt Campbell in Ames.
Grade: B+

Ole Miss Rebels head coach Pete Golding Amber Searls-Imagn Images

14. Pete Golding, Ole Miss
Golding's tenure is just a few months old, but he's already off to a good start after guiding Ole Miss to two College Football Playoff victories after Lane Kiffin's departure to LSU. Additionally, Golding maintained a couple of key cogs from the '25 team and brought in one of the SEC's top portal classes to help this program push even deeper into the playoff this fall. After successfully coordinating the Rebels defense over the last three seasons, Golding is ready for this promotion and inherits one of the better setups for a first-year coach.
Grade: B+

Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC

15. Brian Hartline, South Florida
Hartline was arguably college football's top wide receivers coach during an eight-year run as an assistant at Ohio State . The former Buckeyes' receiver was also widely regarded for his work on the recruiting trail - including the talent-rich state of Florida - which should prove valuable in his new role with the Bulls. The only blemish on Hartline's resume is a lack of head-coaching experience. A few growing pains should be anticipated, but Hartline's ability to reel in talent should keep South Florida among the top programs in the American Conference.
Grade: B+

16. Mike Jacobs, Toledo
Jacobs is arguably the best under-the-radar hire for '26. He's won at three different jobs at three different levels of college football, compiling a 94-23 mark as a head coach since '16. Jacobs - a former Ohio State offensive lineman - returns to his home state of Ohio after going 20-6 at Mercer with two FCS Playoff appearances.
Grade: B+

17. Morgan Scalley, Utah
Kyle Whittingham leaves big shoes to fill at Utah, but Scalley is ready to run his own program. The Salt Lake City native was a standout defensive back for the Utes (2001-04) and worked as an assistant under Whittingham since '07. After a promotion to defensive coordinator in '16, Scalley was instrumental in assembling some of the nation's top units.
Grade: B

Michigan State head football coach Pat Fitzgerald.© Dale Young-Imagn Images

18. Pat Fitzgerald, Michigan State
Fitzgerald returns to a Big Ten sideline for the first time since his dismissal at Northwestern due to hazing allegations surrounding the program. Fitzgerald was later cleared of any wrongdoing. The former Wildcats' linebacker went 110-101 overall and posted three seasons of at least 10 victories at his alma mater from 2006-22. Fitzgerald struggled at the end of his tenure in Evanston (4-20 in the last two years) and the sport has evolved significantly in his three years away from the sidelines.
Grade: B-

19. Billy Napier, James Madison
After a failed stint at Florida, Napier wasted no time in returning to the sidelines at one of the top Group of Six jobs in the nation. Recruiting top-notch talent to Gainesville was never a problem for Napier, but a sluggish offense and a lack of on-field success (22-23) finally doomed his tenure during the '25 campaign. This job represents a return to the Sun Belt for Napier. He previously went 40-12 as the head coach at Louisiana from 2018-21.
Grade: B-

20. Tosh Lupoi, California
Long regarded for his work on the recruiting trail and as a defensive assistant, Lupoi's first opportunity as a head coach is at his alma mater. The former California defensive lineman spent the last four years working as Oregon's defensive coordinator and previously spent time as an assistant Alabama (2014-18) and in the NFL (2019-21).
Grade: B-

21. Jason Candle, UConn
Candle has been considered a rising star in the Group of Six coaching ranks after going 81-44 with two MAC titles in charge at Toledo. Considering the program resources, the Rockets did underachieve a bit at times and suffered a few surprising upset defeats under Candle. However, Candle's background on offense, along with overall success at Toledo, should help UConn build on the program's 18 wins over the last two years.
Grade: B-

22. Mark Carney, Kent State
Carney earned the full-time job after guiding Kent State to a 5-7 record in '25. This is one of the toughest jobs in college football, but Carney's ability to get the most out of the roster in a challenging situation after taking over the job late in the spring, provides optimism he can steer this team into annual bowl contention.
Grade: B-

23. Blake Anderson, Southern Miss
Southern Miss opted for continuity by promoting Anderson from offensive coordinator to head coach after Charles Huff departed for Memphis. Anderson is a proven winner at the Group of Six level, recording a 51-37 mark at Arkansas State (2014-20) and a 23-17 record at Utah State (2021-23). However, Anderson brings baggage to this role. His last head-coaching stint with the Aggies ended after an investigation indicated he did not comply with the school's Title IX policies .
Grade: B-

24. Neal Brown, North Texas
Brown was considered a rising star after guiding Troy to a 35-16 record from 2015-18. However, that success failed to translate at West Virginia . The Mountaineers went 37-35 and made four bowl appearances under Brown, but the program only had one winning season prior to his dismissal in '24. Brown's ability to reload a roster will be tested right away with North Texas bringing in over 50 transfers for '26.
Grade: B-

Memphis Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield looks on during his team's game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025.Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

25. Ryan Silverfield, Arkansas
Silverfield posted a solid overall 50-25 mark at Memphis, including a 29-9 record over the last three years. The Tigers had two finishes in the Associated Press Top 25 rankings but never played for the American Conference title under Silverfield's watch. Silverfield has displayed a knack for successfully building rosters in the transfer portal era. However, this won't be an easy rebuilding project with Arkansas coming off a 2-10 record and needing more resources needed to compete at a high level in the SEC.
Grade: B-

26. Kirby Moore, Washington State
Moore is Washington State's third coach in three seasons, so the 35-year-old former Boise State receiver is tasked with bringing some much-needed stability to the program in the new Pac-12. Moore - a native of Washington - arrives in Pullman after working as the offensive coordinator at Missouri since '23.
Grade: B-

27. Ryan Beard, Coastal Carolina
Beard is a solid hire for a Coastal Carolina program looking to get back on track after back-to-back losing seasons. The former Western Kentucky defensive back went 19-16 at Missouri State and successfully guided the program through a transition to the FBS level. The Bears finished 7-5 and made a bowl in their FBS debut in '25.
Grade: B-

28. JaMarcus Shephard, Oregon State
Shephard was regarded as one of college football's top wide receiver coaches and has accumulated a wealth of experience as an assistant from stops at Western Kentucky, Washington State, Purdue , Washington, and Alabama. This is Shephard's first head-coaching job, but his energy and passion should bring a much-needed fresh start to Corvallis in the revamped Pac-12.
Grade: B-

Related: Ranking College Football's Rosters for 2026

29. Casey Woods, Missouri State
Woods - a former Tennessee wide receiver - lands his first head-coaching job after spending the last four years assisting coach Rhett Lashlee at SMU as the team's offensive coordinator. The Mustangs averaged over 30 points a game every year under Woods, including a prolific '24 season where the offense accumulated 511 points (third-most in program history). Woods also has previous stops as an assistant at Missouri, UAB, Arkansas State, and Auburn.
Grade: B-

30. Will Hall , Tulane
After back-to-back home-run hires in Willie Fritz and Jon Sumrall, Tulane opted for continuity by promoting Hall. The Mississippi native previously worked with the Green Wave as an assistant from 2019-20 and again in '25. This stop is Hall's fourth chance as a head coach, including stints at West Alabama (25-11) and West Georgia (31-9). However, his last stop at Southern Miss did not go well. The Golden Eagles finished 7-6 in Hall's debut but were only 14-30 overall before his dismissal during the '24 season.
Grade: C+

Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard is Stanford's new head coachEric Canha-Imagn Images

31. Tavita Pritchard, Stanford
Few coaches know the Stanford program better than Pritchard. The Washington native played quarterback for the Cardinal from 2006-09 and later worked on the Farm as an assistant from 2010-22, including the last five seasons as offensive coordinator. After spending the last three years as the Commanders ' quarterback coach, Pritchard returns to Stanford as former teammate Andrew Luck 's first hand-picked coach. Pritchard's familiarity with what it takes to win at Stanford is a plus, but his track record as a coordinator with the Cardinal was uninspiring and he's also a first-time head coach.
Grade: C

32. Alonzo Carter, Sacramento State
Carter - a former backup dancer for MC Hammer and long-time assistant coach - is tasked with navigating Sacramento State through a FBS transition. The California native's extensive roots throughout the state, which included stints as an assistant at San Jose State (2017-23), a seven-year run as Contra Costa's head coach, and stops in the state's high school ranks, should help attract talent to the newest FBS program. Carter spent the last two seasons at Arizona working with the team's running backs.
Grade: C

33. John Hauser, Ohio
Ohio opted for continuity with Hauser's promotion from defensive coordinator to head coach following Brian Smith's dismissal prior to the team's appearance in the Frisco Bowl. It's hard to argue with that approach considering the Bobcats have made a postseason appearance in nine out of the last 11 years. However, while Hauser has assembled solid defenses during his tenure in Athens, he's still a first-time head coach navigating the challenges of the portal and NIL era at a Group of Six program.
Grade: C

34. Alex Mortensen, UAB
Mortensen had some bright spots as UAB's offensive coordinator over the last three years and gained valuable experience working as the team's interim coach last season with a 2-4 record over the final six games. However, this is a steep learning curve for a first-time head coach at one of college football's toughest jobs.
Grade: C-

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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