
Sporting News Releases 2026 College Football Coach Rankings
The annual rankings, based on performance metrics and program expectations, place Indiana’s Curt Cignetti at No. 1, while Georgia’s Kirby Smart drops to No. 2.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Manny Diaz across Football.

The annual rankings, based on performance metrics and program expectations, place Indiana’s Curt Cignetti at No. 1, while Georgia’s Kirby Smart drops to No. 2.
Following a 9‑5 record, an ACC championship and a Sun Bowl victory, the Blue Devils are set to open the 2026 campaign against Tulane, with tough tests against Miami, Virginia, Clemson and more.

Duke Blue Devils face a pivotal 2026 season where high hopes clash with quarterback uncertainty, defensive losses, and the threat of a sub‑.500 record.

A look at how top newcomers Bryce Davis, Bradley Gompers, Bariate Kara and Nate Sheppard are expected to impact the Blue Devils' performance this season.
Duke’s recent ACC title and three nine‑win seasons under Manny Diaz set the stage for a 2026 campaign that will test the team’s depth and defensive evolution.

Coach Manny Diaz announced the pledge of three‑star prospect Javarris Warner, a Georgia standout with a 4.0 GPA, who chose Duke over LSU, South Carolina and Stanford.

Duke University’s football team, fresh off an ACC championship, faces a pivotal 2026 season after losing star quarterback Darian Mensah, yet retains a strong defensive core and a coaching staff confident of another title run.

Duke’s recent ACC championship sets the stage for an ambitious defense rebuild, with new cornerbacks stepping into key roles

After losing quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate, Duke is pinning its hopes on a quartet of high‑potential skill players to revitalize the offense for the 2026 season.

Duke football is hosting a wave of highly rated recruits this weekend, seeking to reinforce a roster reshaped after a wave of departures and to sustain its 2025 ACC title chase.

After capturing the ACC title, Duke’s program is reshaping its roster. Coach Manny Diaz has turned to the transfer market and a highly touted freshman class — including center Sean Stover, running back CJ Givers and defensive tackle Chadwicke Cannon Jr. — to sustain depth and ambition.

After losing quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate to the transfer portal, Duke is pinning its hopes on new recruit Jared Richardson, whose 2025 performance in the Ivy League has already generated buzz.

Duke announces kickoff times for six 2026 games, highlighting primetime Friday night matchups against Virginia and Clemson, as the program looks to build on back‑to‑back nine‑win seasons under Manny Diaz.

The Blue Devils' 2025 campaign culminated in an ACC Championship and a Sun Bowl victory, prompting the university to reward fans and highlight a heartfelt moment between coach Manny Diaz and senior longsnapper Jack Yates.

After capturing the 2025 ACC title, the Blue Devils must replace Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate, who have moved to Miami, and navigate a schedule that includes a rematch with Illinois, a revenge game against Miami and a showdown with Clemson.

After capturing its first ACC football title since 1989, Duke saw star quarterback Darian Mensah walk away for Miami despite a $4 million NIL agreement. Coach Manny Diaz’s steady guidance has turned a promising rebuild into a tangible contender, even as the program navigates the evolving landscape of college athletics.

Defending ACC champions the Duke Blue Devils face three pivotal games that will determine whether they can repeat as conference titleholders in 2026.

Duke football’s recent ACC championship and Sun Bowl win are overshadowed by the loss of numerous star players, prompting a critical search for replacements at quarterback, edge rusher and defensive tackle.

Duke’s football program will not issue a 2026 depth chart until August, allowing late transfers and injury recoveries to be reflected accurately.

Under head coach Manny Diaz, Duke’s football squad combines a fortified offensive line, a revamped defense and a dynamic running back corps, signaling a competitive outlook for the upcoming campaign

The Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason power rankings have been released, and the narrative is already taking shape. At the top of the list sits the University of Miami, a program that has ridden a wave of momentum into the 2026 campaign.

Analysts outline three possible outcomes for Duke’s 2026 season, ranging from a historic unbeaten run to a realistic eight‑win campaign that still tests the program’s depth.

Duke’s star passer Darian Mensah has left the Blue Devils for the University of Miami, a shift driven by a reported $10 million name‑image‑likeness agreement. The departure also sees his top target, Cooper Barkate, join the Hurricanes, while Duke taps San Jose State transfer Walker Eget to fill the void.

After a wave of departures, Duke’s 2026 football slate blends early promise with late‑season trials, culminating in a record that could redefine the program’s trajectory.