The Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference is gearing up for a pivotal 2026 season, one that will be defined as much by fresh leadership as by the returning firepower of its veteran programs.
Four of the league’s ten members will be led by new head coaches next fall, a turnover that follows a 2025 campaign in which only four squads reached the playoffs and Clinton‑Massie emerged as the sole postseason victor.
Among the most anticipated replacements is Steve Dahlheimer at Batavia, who inherits a young offensive nucleus featuring quarterback Makhi Taylor and top rusher Ken Kelch. Across the board, the new coaches bring a mix of youthful energy and seasoned strategy, promising to reshape the competitive landscape.
Clinton‑Massie’s newly appointed coach Kevin Scholz will rely on defensive stalwart Ty Martin, the SBAAC American Division co‑player of the year, to anchor a unit that helped the team to a historic postseason win.
Goshen, fresh off a playoff run that saw eight of its athletes earn all‑conference honors, returns the bulk of its production, including both offensive and defensive players of the year for the American Division.
Meanwhile, Williamsburg aims to protect its National Division crown despite losing nine all‑conference players, with Gray Robinson and linebacker Rylin Collins slated to shoulder the offensive and defensive workloads.
Other storylines include New Richmond’s senior‑laden attack led by quarterback Brady Young and rusher Dylan Wolf, Western Brown’s steady quarterback Deon Bradford, and Wilmington’s defensive front anchored by Ioan Cioca and Damian Simpson, all of whom could tip the balance in tightly contested matchups.
The breadth of experience returning to the league, combined with the infusion of new coaching talent, sets the stage for a season that may see traditional powerhouses challenged by emerging contenders.
What to Watch
Key questions will revolve around how quickly the new coaches can implement their systems, whether the returning all‑conference talent can sustain performance levels, and which teams will capitalize on the shifting power dynamics.
As the 2026 schedule unfolds, the SBAAC promises a blend of high‑octane offense, stout defense, and strategic innovation that could redefine the conference’s identity for years to come.