The Coaching Hierarchy for 2026
The Athletic's annual coaching tiers project has become one of the most anticipated preseason features in college football, and the 2026 edition places Curt Cignetti and Kirby Smart in a tier of their own at the top of the profession. The ranking, which divides FBS head coaches into tiers based on evaluations from a panel of coaches, administrators, and analysts, represents a shift in how the sport's leadership is perceived.
For the first time in the project's history, the top tier is not exclusively occupied by coaches with national championships. Cignetti's rise — from James Madison to Indiana to a national championship in 2025 — has fundamentally changed how the coaching profession evaluates success, and his placement at the top of Tier 1 reflects the panel's belief that he is the best coach in the sport regardless of program resources.
Tier 1: The Elite
Curt Cignetti, Indiana — Cignetti's 2025 national championship run was the most improbable title in the playoff era, and his coaching performance was universally praised. His ability to build a program at three different levels (JMU, Indiana, and now as the defending national champion) has earned him the respect of his peers. The panel's consensus: Cignetti is the best in-game adjuster in college football, and his player development track record is unmatched.
Kirby Smart, Georgia — Smart's 2025 season ended without a national championship, but his program's sustained excellence — the Bulldogs have finished in the top five of the AP poll for seven consecutive seasons — is the most consistent record in the sport. The panel noted that Smart's recruiting machine and defensive acumen are the benchmarks against which all other programs measure themselves.
Bill Belichick, North Carolina — Belichick's placement in Tier 1 despite zero college head coaching experience reflects the panel's belief that his NFL success is transferable. His first season at North Carolina will be the most closely watched experiment in the country, and the panel's evaluation is based on his track record of adapting to circumstances and maximizing talent.
Steve Sarkisian, Texas — Sarkisian's quarterback development and offensive innovation have elevated Texas back to national prominence. The panel praised his ability to build a program culture that attracts elite talent, and his 2025 season — a playoff appearance and a Heisman finalist — demonstrated that the Longhorns are built to last.
Ryan Day, Ohio State — Day's record against top-10 opponents (18-4) is the best of any active coach, and his program's consistency is unmatched in the Big Ten. The panel's only reservation was the 2025 loss to Michigan in the regular season, but Day's overall body of work — including a national championship appearance in 2024 — keeps him firmly in Tier 1.
Tier 2: Proven Winners
Tier 2 includes coaches who have won at a high level but have not yet reached the sustained excellence of Tier 1. Lane Kiffin, LSU leads the group, with the panel praising his offensive innovation and roster management through the transfer portal. Mario Cristobal, Miami is next, with the panel noting that his program's trajectory — from 7-6 in 2023 to 10-3 in 2025 — is the most positive in the ACC.
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama is in Tier 2 for his first season, with the panel acknowledging his Washington success but expressing caution about the transition to the SEC. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame rounds out the top of Tier 2, with the panel praising his recruiting and player development but noting that his program has not yet reached the playoff.
Tier 3: Rising Stars
Tier 3 features coaches who are on the rise but have not yet proven they can sustain success. Jon Sumrall, Tulane is the most prominent name in this group — his 2025 season, which included a 10-win campaign and a victory over a Power Four opponent in a bowl game, was among the most impressive in the Group of Five. Jeff Brohm, Louisville and Brent Venables, Oklahoma are also in Tier 3, with the panel noting that both have the talent to move up but need to demonstrate consistency.
The most interesting name in Tier 3 is Deion Sanders, Colorado. The panel was divided on Sanders — some praised his recruiting and program-building, while others questioned his game management and roster construction. The 2026 season, which features Colorado's first full roster of Sanders-recruited players, will be a defining test.
The Coaching Landscape in 2026
The 2026 coaching landscape is defined by two trends: the rise of non-traditional candidates (Belichick, Sanders) and the consolidation of power at the top of the profession. Cignetti and Smart's placement at the top of Tier 1 represents a passing of the torch from the Saban-Meyer generation to a new era of coaching leadership. The gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 is wider than it has been in years, reflecting the panel's belief that the top coaches are separating themselves from the field.
The most significant coaching story of the 2026 season will be Belichick's performance at North Carolina. If he succeeds, the door will open for more NFL-to-college transitions. If he fails, the traditional pipeline — coordinator to mid-major head coach to Power Four head coach — will remain the definitive path to the top of the profession.
What This Means for CFB 27
In College Football 27's Dynasty mode, coaching ratings are a critical factor in program success. The game's coaching system includes ratings for recruiting, development, game management, and discipline. Cignetti and Smart enter the game with the highest coaching ratings (95 each), reflecting their Tier 1 status. The game's coaching carousel system allows players to track coach movement across the FBS, and the coaching tiers ranking is reflected in which coaches are hired by which programs in the simulation. For Dynasty players, hiring a Tier 1 coach is a transformative event that can elevate a program from contender to champion.
