College football coaching carousel 2026: Names to watch in next cycle

The college football coaching carousel continues to be dynamic with significant changes anticipated in the 2026 season. Following a tumultuous cycle, 17 new hires have been made across the Power Four conferences, including Kyle Whittingham joining Michigan. The SEC, in particular, has introduced six first-year coaches, with notable appointments from the American conference at Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas.

Among the coaches to watch, Lincoln Riley at USC faces pressure to improve after an 11-7 record in Big Ten play. Jeff Brohm at Louisville and Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri are also notable figures who could see movement based on their performance in the upcoming season. Dan Mullen at UNLV and Willie Fritz at Houston have demonstrated success that could attract larger programs.

Veteran coaches such as Jimbo Fisher and Brian Kelly, currently without positions, are seeking opportunities to return to the sidelines. Prominent coordinators like Glenn Schumann at Georgia and Shannon Dawson at Miami are potential candidates for head coaching roles, given their recent