Popping out of one of many wildest faculty soccer teaching cycles in latest reminiscence, the altering of the guard subsequent season may very well be equally momentous. There have been 17 new hires throughout the Energy 4 ranks over the past three months, culminating with Michigan touchdown Kyle Whittingham.
The SEC alone has six first-year coaches, together with three from the American. They assumed the management roles at Florida, Auburn and Arkansas, respectively.
Through the 2026 carousel subsequent season, there are a variety of choices that would current themselves, from sitting coaches altering applications to quite a few veteran assistants who may lead a significant program within the close to future. Utilizing trade sources, we picked 25 coaches who may very well be a part of subsequent season’s job cycle throughout faculty soccer, with various ranges of probability.
Means-too-early School Soccer Playoff projection for 2026 season: Miami, Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana on prime
Brad Crawford
Ranked in no explicit order and designated by class, here is a look at coaches to keep watch over when the carousel begins spinning in 2026.
Sitting head coaches
1. Lincoln Riley, USC
Since main the Trojans to a convention title recreation look in his first season (2022), Riley hasn’t been again and is 11-7 total in Large Ten play. There’s stress coming off a 9-4 end to make one thing occur as a playoff entrant in 2026. Riley’s buyout at USC is certainly one of faculty soccer’s highest, however there is a motive he was labeled the “largest wildcard” final cycle. There was actual perception Riley may go away USC in early November, however the Trojans completed robust and signed the No. 1 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite. Riley made a calculated transfer again in November 2021 when he turned his again on Oklahoma for Los Angeles. Nevertheless, the Trojans’ ROI on their costly rent hasn’t been as profitable as anticipated.
2. Jeff Brohm, Louisville
Brohm was within the crosshairs of Penn State and Michigan final cycle. He is at his alma mater and completely satisfied, however the 54-year-old former quarterback should decide and mission his ceiling at Louisville. The Cardinals beat Miami on the street final season and the Hurricanes had been within the nationwide championship recreation just a few months later. Is that the peak, or can Louisville win the ACC underneath Brohm and get to the playoff? The 2026 season shall be telling.
3. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Drinkwitz addressed teaching rumors a number of occasions final season, together with his identify showing in early Florida discussions and being on Michigan’s goal listing previous to the Kyle Whittingham rent in Ann Arbor. It is a testomony to what he is accomplished with much less at Missouri; 21 wins over a two-year stretch previous to 2025’s 8-5 document. Drinkwitz added six new assistants in January and has proven a penchant for locating undervalued expertise within the portal. Regardless of the workers modifications and roster fluctuation yearly, Drinkwitz’s set of abilities resulting in SEC wins may very well be coveted elsewhere.
4. Dan Mullen, UNLV
Mullen’s a competitor and as a former SEC coach who had success at Mississippi State and Florida, he clearly desires one other crack at big-time faculty soccer. City Meyer floated Mullen’s identify to Penn State in October earlier than the UNLV coach got here out with a press release indicating he was sticking round for one more season out west. Mullen gained 10 video games in his first season at UNLV and not too long ago stated he enjoys dwelling in Las Vegas. That might change if a faculty within the south provides a chance subsequent cycle.
5. Willie Fritz, Houston
In two seasons, Fritz has remodeled the Cougars from a four-win backside dweller within the Large 12 to just about reaching the convention championship final fall after going 9-3 previous to beating LSU within the postseason. Houston shall be a menace to win the league so long as he is coach or one other program plucks the 65-year-old Kansas native away. Maybe Missouri offers Fritz a name if Drinkwitz takes one other job quickly, given his ties to the state. Fritz gained 97 video games at Central Missouri from 1997-2009.
6. Jason Eck, New Mexico
A former offensive lineman at Wisconsin, Eck earned Mountain West Coach of the 12 months for his efforts in his first season at New Mexico in 2025 after ending 9-4. This comes after three successful seasons in three years at Idaho for a coach who beforehand solely labored as an offensive line assistant and working recreation coordinator at varied FCS applications.
7. Lance Leipold, Kansas
Leipold’s nonetheless held in excessive regard in teaching circles and on the administrative stage, however his mild does not shine as brilliant because it did a pair years in the past when he gained 9 video games (together with a bowl matchup) to complete inside the highest 25. Leipold inherited a mountain few have ever scaled at Kansas in 2021 and he is 27-35 total coming into his sixth marketing campaign. At a program with higher sources and expertise, he would win extra video games.
8. Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky
It is no secret that Helton would bounce if the proper alternative comes alongside. He is been a finalist for a number of jobs throughout latest cycles — together with Purdue — and his offenses produce. Helton has posted 5 consecutive seasons of eight or extra victories and must be a favourite to win Convention USA subsequent fall as a playoff hopeful if the Hilltoppers are capable of go unbeaten.
9. G.J. Kinne, Texas State
Kinne gained 12 video games as a first-year head coach at Incarnate Phrase in 2022 and has three successful seasons at Texas State. Sooner or later, there is a larger Group of 5 program or maybe a midwest Energy 4 that’s going to take an opportunity on a confirmed winner who has impressively navigated the recruiting scope throughout a difficult period of transition.
10. Dave Aranda, Baylor
Persevering with the pattern of coaches throughout the Lone Star State, Aranda joins Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, South Carolina’s Shane Beamer and some others on faculty soccer’s hottest seats subsequent fall as his tenure torpedoed additional south with the Bears in 2025. Since that 12-win marketing campaign in 2021, Baylor has only one successful season and is 15-21 total towards Large 12 competitors. Aranda’s 36-37 at Baylor forward of 12 months 7 in Waco.
Unemployed coaches
11. Jimbo Fisher
The previous nationwide champion at Florida State who pocketed a record-setting buyout from Texas A&M desires again in. Fisher initially stated it final summer season and reiterated his factors a number of occasions throughout appearances as an analyst final season on ACC Community. Fisher stated he’ll pay attention if the proper program reaches out to his agent. Employed away from Florida State on the finish of the 2017 season, Fisher signed the highest-rated recruiting class of all time with the Aggies in 2022 however by no means reached the top in School Station.
12. Brian Kelly
Kelly’s lawsuit towards LSU makes it clear he is able to get again on the sideline after he claimed the Tigers “made it practically unattainable” for him to get one other job final cycle following his firing. Kelly gained 29 video games his first three seasons at LSU earlier than a 5-3 begin in 2025 value him his job on account of exceedingly excessive expectations after signing a top-rated portal class. Different applications would applaud 34 whole wins over three-plus seasons, however at LSU, it is a playoff-or-bust mentality.
13. Ed Orgeron
Jogging on seashores in Florida is kind of enjoyable, however Orgeron is a ball coach and he stated in October he is not accomplished on the sideline. LSU was reportedly open to Orgeron becoming a member of Lane Kiffin’s first-year workers final cycle, however it did not work out. Orgeron, who led LSU to the 2019 nationwide championship because the spotlight of his six-year tenure because the Tigers coach, has been out of labor since his firing 4 years in the past.
14. Jon Gruden
Gruden stated in August he would “die” to teach within the SEC. That chance might come to fruition following a cycle that included vacancies at Arkansas, Auburn and Florida amongst others, however no less than faculty directors know he is keen on a chance. Gruden turned down an inquiry from the New York Jets to affix Aaron Glenn’s workers in January, so it is clear that until it is a head teaching probability, he appears okay with persevering with his sports activities media profession. What number of present faculty soccer coaches have a Tremendous Bowl title on their resume? Here is a touch: It is just one.
Coordinators
15. Glenn Schumann, Georgia DC
Kirby Sensible is aware of it is solely a matter of time earlier than he loses his veteran defensive thoughts to an NFL job or a lead position at one other faculty program. Schumman’s helped name the protection since 2019 and is likely one of the SEC’s brightest coaches. The 35-year-old Valdosta, Georgia native would possibly solely want to attend one other cycle or two for Alabama, his alma mater, to open.
16. Shannon Dawson, Miami OC
Have a look at what Dawson has achieved in three seasons on Mario Cristobal’s workers at Miami. In 2023, he took over for Josh Gattis and instantly helped the Hurricanes push ahead from 97th in scoring offense to thirty ninth. Then, he helped Washington State switch Cam Ward become the No. 1 total NFL Draft choose the next yr. Dawson’s coming off his greatest as Miami’s play-caller after the Carson Beck-to-Malachi Toney pairing practically resulted in a nationwide title. When given expertise to work with, Dawson’s elite as a play-caller.
17. Charlie Weis Jr., LSU OC
Notable curiosity in Weis on the NFL stage might have triggered Kiffin some sleepless nights in January, however it seems he is sticking round to assist help the offense at LSU in 2026. He was reportedly approached by the Philadelphia Eagles for his or her OC position and there is the apparent connection to Jaxson Dart — from the pair’s Ole Miss days — with the New York Giants. Weis shall be tasked with ensuring prized portal signee Sam Leavitt at quarterback is a Heisman-level passer subsequent season.
18. Mike Shanahan, Indiana OC
Curt Cignetti’s prime assistant with the Hoosiers not too long ago signed a three-year contract extension, in order that’s excellent news at Indiana after a nationwide championship run. Nevertheless, it is laborious to ascertain Cignetti blocking Shanahan from making the most of his heightened progress if this rise continues in late 2026. Shanahan’s scheme led the Large Ten with 41.9 factors, 472.8 whole yards and 221.2 dashing yards per recreation this previous season behind Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. If TCU switch Josh Hoover comes near that manufacturing as an encore, quite a few applications shall be knocking on Shanahan’s door for assist.
19. Bobby Petrino, North Carolina OC
Invoice Belichick’s new play-caller with the Tar Heels, Petrino thought he might get one other shot at Arkansas following Sam Pittman’s firing final season earlier than a second-half swoon hit the Razorbacks underneath his interim watch. Petrino’s not the one coach inside this listing with just a few unfavourable marks on his document, however he is aware of the right way to coach offenses and North Carolina’s hoping his arrival helps produce factors in Chapel Hill.
20. Clayton White, South Carolina DC
Within the combine at a pair Group of 5 openings final cycle, the Gamecocks have a budding star in White, who has produced a number of drafts picks throughout his time in Columbia after coming over from Western Kentucky to affix Beamer’s workers. If there is a Group of 5 job that opens subsequent cycle within the Carolinas, White shall be on the shortlist.
21. Buster Faulkner, Florida OC
Faulkner’s on a two-year, $3 million take care of the Gators forward of Jon Sumrall’s first season, so the cash’s not going to be a problem if he flexes his offensive acumen to its highest stage in Gainesville. These within the trade had been inspired by Faulkner’s growth of Haynes King at Georgia Tech, getting essentially the most out of a quarterback who was restricted at occasions by the air. A two-time nationwide champion at Georgia because the Bulldogs’ quarterback coach with Stetson Bennett, Faulkner’s pedigree of manufacturing is notable.
22. Dana Holgorsen, Nebraska OC
Holgorsen would not stick round with the Huskers if 2026 goes properly and he will get supplied the keys to a different program for a 3rd time in his teaching profession, however he’ll want to actually impress for that to occur. His offenses generate factors and a bunch of yards on the bottom, however that 4-8 faceplant at Houston in 2023 stays recent. He is 92-69 total as a head coach and gained huge at West Virginia.
Appreciable prying vital
23. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Just like the captain of the Titanic, Swinney will go down with the ship and could be kicking and screaming on his manner out if it involves that. Cussed in methods with the Tigers, the two-time nationwide champion hasn’t gained a playoff recreation because the 2019 season and simply employed Chad Morris as his new offensive coordinator. Yeah, that Chad Morris, who’s teaching profession since starring as Clemson’s play-caller from 2011-14 consists of failed head teaching tenures at SMU, Arkansas and one yr as Auburn’s OC.
24. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
Whereas Minnesota has made strides underneath Fleck with participant retention and portal acquisitions within the NIL period, the Golden Gophers nonetheless scrounge for seconds within the mid-tier of the Large Ten. It is laborious to consider the 2026 season with be Fleck’s tenth on the program since he turned a nationwide identify at Western Michigan after successful the MAC in 2016. The 45-year-old has a protracted profession left, however his Minnesota tenure is rising a bit stale at 7.3 wins per yr common.
25. Jedd Fisch, Washington
The “ridiculousness” of school soccer’s teaching carousel isn’t misplaced on Fisch, whose identify was instantly tossed within the Florida hat at his alma mater and afterward the preliminary listing at Michigan. He is heading into 12 months 3 at Washington and will get Demond Williams Jr. again at quarterback after that viral NIL switch kerfuffle this offseason. If the 2026 season goes south, maybe Fisch shall be again within the combine at one other Energy 4 program.
