Cignetti and Smart Lead 2026 College Football Coaching Tiers
The Athletic ranks Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches into eight tiers for 2026, evaluating the full body of work, resources, longevity, and sustained success rather than just recent results. Curt Cignetti and Kirby Smart anchor the top tier, with movements across tiers reflecting evolving roles, program resources, and the pressures of modern college football, including longer-term trends and note-worthy upward or downward shifts among multiple programs.