USA TODAY Sports has released its latest coach rankings, placing Indiana’s Curt Cignetti at the summit for the 2026 season.
Cignetti’s rapid ascent is underscored by a 27‑2 record and a national championship earned in just two years at the helm of the Hoosiers.
Who Else Made the Top Five
Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Oregon’s Dan Lanning join Cignetti in the upper echelon, reflecting the continued influence of Big Ten and Pac‑12 programs.
The list also highlights the volatility of recent performance, with coaches who have guided teams to the College Football Playoff enjoying heightened visibility.
In a surprising shift, Lincoln Riley, once a top‑tier coach at Oklahoma, has slipped outside the top fifteen, illustrating how quickly fortunes can change in college football.
USA TODAY Sports emphasizes that the rankings prioritize recent achievement over historical success, making them a snapshot rather than a definitive hierarchy.