Monmouth University’s football squad is already generating buzz as the 2026 campaign approaches, having secured a spot in the preseason Top 25 of both major FCS rankings.
Preseason Rankings
The Hawks sit at No. 23 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the STATS Perform poll, marking the second consecutive year the program has earned a national preseason ranking.
Only two Colonial Athletic Association programs cracked the combined Top 25, with Rhode Island also appearing near the summit, underscoring the conference’s growing national footprint.
Coaching Vision and Key Returners
Head coach Jeff Gallo, now in his inaugural season as the team’s leader after a lengthy tenure as an assistant, will lean on a core of returning veterans, chief among them defensive standout Jaeden Jones, who earned CAA Defensive Player of the Year honors and a STATS Perform Second‑Team All‑American nod.
The momentum stems from a 9‑3 finish a year ago, a record that included a 6‑2 mark within CAA play and a first‑time dual‑poll appearance since 2019.
The season officially begins on August 29 with a home matchup against Tennessee Tech, a game that pits the Hawks against a program ranked No. 15/14 in the preseason polls, promising an early test of the team’s mettle.
With a blend of experienced leadership, high‑caliber recruits, and a coaching staff eager to build on recent breakthroughs, Monmouth’s Hawks are poised to translate preseason optimism into on‑field success.