5 Hottest College Football Head Coaching Prospects for 2026

They’re successful, talented, and will be among the hottest names once the coaching carousel turns on – and in the current era, that can be sooner than it seems. They’re the coaches at schools that might be wonderful, but can’t quite make the offers the top Power Four programs can. Just over 22% of the FBS schools are welcoming in a new head coach this season – 31 in all, at least in a full-time role. It’ll be about the same when the 2026 season ends, and these five coaches should be among the hottest names on everyone’s list. 26 for ’26, No. 10: 5 Hottest College Football Head Coaching Prospects 26: Winningest Programs Yet To Make the CFP 25: ACC Key Questions 24: Big 12 Key Questions 23: Big Ten Key Questions 22: Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospects 21: SEC Key Questions 20: What’s Next in Realignment? 19. Ranking all 30 New Head Coaches 18. Who Has the Easiest Schedules? 17. Who Has the Hardest Schedules? 16. Who Might Be the Next Indiana? 15. Group of Six Teams with Best CFP Shot 14. 5 Teams Due For a Letdown 13. 5 Programs Under the Most Pressure 12. 26 Bold Predictions 11. 5 Teams We’re Disrespecting 5. Lance Taylor, Western Michigan Career Record: 20-19
 – Western Michigan 2026 Team Preview Why Taylor Will Be A Hot Name: After two years to build the program back up, Taylor put together a MAC Championship-winning season going 10-4 with a defense that turned into one of the best in the nation. Possible Next Job Up: Western Michigan. As good as he has been, this is still his first head coaching job. Even with another great year in Kalamazoo, he’ll likely get enough of a pay bump to keep other Group of Six programs from making an offer – and then the Power Four will come calling in 2028. 4. Tim Polasek, North Dakota State Career Record: 26-3 – North Dakota State 2026 Team Preview Why Polasek Will Be A Hot Name: Craig Bohl (Wyoming), Chris Klieman (Kansas State), Matt Entz (Fresno State) – those are the last three NDSU head coaches, and they all went on to be solid-to-terrific at their next jobs.
 Possible Next Job Up: Iowa. It might not be next year, and the 71-year-old Kirk Ferentz is still rolling, but when this eventually comes open, the former Hawkeye offensive line coach would be the perfect plug-and-go option (if, of course, Ferentz gives his blessing). One other quick thing on the NDSU job. Now that it’s part of the FBS, Polasek’s salary bumps up – it would take something big for another Group of Six opening (like Wyoming) to pull him away. 3. Jason Eck, New Mexico Career Record: 9-4
 – New Mexico 2026 Team Preview Why Eck Will Be A Hot Name: It’s not just because he immediately turned New Mexico into one of the toughest, hard-nosed teams in the Mountain West; it’s also because he made Idaho a top ten team in the FCS before going to Albuquerque. Possible Next Job Up: Colorado. The former Wisconsin offensive lineman, and star offensive coordinator and O line coach at the FCS level, would have one huge selling point if the Deion Sanders era comes to an end after this year – the lines. The trenches have been the biggest issue under Coach Prime, and all that changes fast if Eck were to take over. 2. Sean Lewis, San Diego State Career Record: 36-44
 – San Diego State 2026 Team Preview Why Lewis Will Be A Hot Name: Out of the five names on this list, Lewis is the biggest boom-or-bust call depending on the season – SDSU would love to keep him, no matter what. He’s known for his brilliant offenses, but last year’s Aztecs rocked on D. The tremendous defense of last year needs a retooling, so now he needs the other side to rise and shine.
 – CFN Interview with Sean Lewis Possible Next Job Up: Cincinnati. Lewis went to Wisconsin, but his style might not be the exact right fit if the job comes open – our call is that it won’t; Luke Fickell will do just enough. However, if things go like we think they will at Cincinnati, Lewis – who was a great assistant at Bowling Green and made Kent State good for a few years – would be a strong first call. 1. Dan Mullen, UNLV Career Record: 113-65 – UNLV 2026 Team Preview Why Mullen Will Be A Hot Name: Mississippi State won eight games or more five times under Mullen – it has won eight games or more twice in the eight years since he left. Florida played for the SEC Championship in 2020 and won 29 games in his first three seasons – it has won 24 games in just over four seasons since he was sacked. In 14 years as a head coach, he has nine seasons with eight or more wins, four with ten or more, and … Possible Next Job Up: Nebraska hasn’t won more than eight games since 2016, and hasn’t won 11 since Frank Solich did it in 2001. Nebraska would be a long shot, even if Mullen has one more great year at UNLV, but if Jeff Lebby struggles at Mississippi State, could Mullen go back? No coach has ever won more bowl games at the school.