Pat Forde's Crystal Ball: The 25 Most Intriguing College Football Coaches for 2026

In the ever-shifting landscape of college football, predicting the future is a fool's errand... unless you're Pat Forde. Known for his incisive takes and uncanny ability to spot trends, we've channeled our inner Forde to project the 25 coaches who will be the most fascinating to watch as the 2026 season approaches. With the transfer portal, NIL, and conference realignment creating unprecedented volatility, these are the individuals whose careers, decisions, and programs will define the sport's narrative.

The Ascenders: Rising to Power

• Kalen DeBoer (Alabama): By 2026, he will have cemented his legacy (or faced immense pressure) at Bama. How does he handle the post-Saban machine long-term?

• Dan Lanning (Oregon): Expected to be a perennial playoff contender, Lanning's trajectory could see him challenge for national titles annually, or hit a ceiling.

• Mike Norvell (Florida State): Will he have finally broken through the ACC's top tier and made FSU a consistent national threat, or will the weight of expectation prove too much?

• Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri): After solidifying Mizzou, is he positioning himself for a blue-blood job, or building a sustainable SEC East power?

• Lance Leipold (Kansas): The miracle worker. By 2026, will he have elevated Kansas into consistent Big 12 contention, or will the physical toll of the job become apparent?

The Proven Power Brokers: Holding Court (or Seeking New Thrones)

• Kirby Smart (Georgia): The undisputed king. The intrigue lies in how long he can maintain this historic dominance and if anyone can truly challenge him.

• Ryan Day (Ohio State): The pressure cooker. By 2026, will he have a national championship, or will the "can't beat Michigan" narrative define his tenure?

• Steve Sarkisian (Texas): Having navigated the SEC transition, is he a true perennial playoff coach, or will Texas be Texas?

• Lincoln Riley (USC): Can he truly build a championship defense and overcome the Pac-12 (or whatever league they're in by then) hurdles to reach the promised land?

• Brian Kelly (LSU): The veteran tactician. Will he still be winning big at LSU, or will the younger generation of coaches start to catch up?

The Redemption Seekers & High-Stakes Gamblers

• James Franklin (Penn State): Will he have finally broken through the Ohio State/Michigan ceiling and made Penn State a legitimate national title contender?

• Brent Venables (Oklahoma): His defense-first philosophy is taking shape. By 2026, will Oklahoma be a defensive juggernaut in the SEC, or still striving for consistency?

• Matt Campbell (Iowa State): The perennial "name to watch" for bigger jobs. Will he have finally made the leap, or will he still be building quietly in Ames?

• Jonathan Smith (Michigan State): Taking on a rebuilding job with high expectations. By 2026, will he have transformed the Spartans, or still be laying the groundwork?

• Josh Heupel (Tennessee): Can his high-octane offense consistently compete with the SEC's elite, or will defensive struggles limit their ceiling?

The Young Guns & Emerging Talents

• Sherrone Moore (Michigan): Thrust into a championship program. By 2026, will he have sustained Harbaugh's success and proven himself as an elite head coach?

• Jedd Fisch (Washington): After a quick ascent, can he maintain the Huskies' momentum and prove he's more than a one-year wonder?

• Glenn Schumann (Potential HC elsewhere): Georgia's defensive coordinator is a hot name. Where will he land, and how quickly will he make an impact as a head coach?

• Troy Taylor (Stanford): A fascinating offensive mind attempting to rebuild a sleeping giant. Will he have found a way to win in the new NIL/portal era at Stanford?

• Sean Lewis (Potential HC elsewhere): The former Kent State HC and current OC is a rising offensive star. Where will he get his next shot, and what will he do with it?

The Sleepers & Wildcards

• Jeff Brohm (Louisville): Can he consistently elevate Louisville into the ACC's upper echelon and make them a dark horse playoff contender?

• Jamey Chadwell (Liberty): If he continues his winning ways, will a P4 job come calling, and how will his unique offense translate to that level?

• Will Stein (Oregon OC, Potential HC): Lanning's offensive coordinator is quickly making a name for himself. Could he be a head coach by 2026?

• Ryan Grubb (Seattle Seahawks OC, former UW OC, Potential HC): If his NFL stint is short or he seeks an HC job, his offensive genius is highly coveted.

• Kyle Whittingham (Utah): The quiet consistent winner. How long can he keep Utah punching above its weight in the new Big 12, or will he decide to ride off into the sunset?

From established giants navigating new challenges to rising stars trying to break through, the 2026 college football season promises a rich tapestry of coaching intrigue. These 25 names, in the spirit of Pat Forde, are the ones we'll be watching closest, their successes and struggles shaping the very fabric of the sport.

Who do you think will be the most intriguing? Let us know in the comments!