The 2025 season led to a very hectic coaching cycle in 2026 that saw big names move to very different places. It all started with Penn State firing James Franklin and ended with Michigan hiring Kyle Whittingham after another scandal rocked the program.
With so many new faces in places, it gets one thinking about how the new coaches will fare, especially after seeing the success Indiana had with Curt Cignetti in his first season at Indiana. Cignetti got Indiana to the CFP in Year 1 and won it all in Year 2, so who is next?
5. Jon Sumrall - Florida
Even though Florida fans didn't love the hiring of Jon Sumrall and would have rather had Lane Kiffin, he is the best fit for the Gators. Florida is finally away from DJ Lagway and can move on at the QB position, a position Sumrall has had success developing in his past at Tulane. The return of Jadan Baugh is big for the offense that needs a lot of help.
Sumrall has been open about having to change a lot of the culture in Gainesville, but that could be the big reason he gets the Gators to their first-ever CFP appearance. With a strong SEC schedule, Florida could find enough quality wins to push out another top Big 12 team to snag another spot for football's second-strongest conference.
4. Collin Klein - Kansas State
Some might think I am crazy to believe former Kansas State legend Collin Klein will lead his Alma Mater to the CFP in his first season as a head coach ever. Well, let me be the one to remind you that the best season Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson ever had was when Klein was his QB coach and offensive coordinator, and now, with more experience and Klein back in the building, he could unlock what fans have wanted to see from him.
Kansas State also avoids playing the top two teams in the Big 12: Texas Tech and BYU. The Wildcats also get Houston at home, where the Wildcats thrive in front of the home crowd. A 12-0 record could very well be in the cards for Kansas State, and even with a loss that would probably come in the Big 12 Championship, that regular-season record has to mean something for a low spot in the CFP.
3. Matt Campbell - Penn State
Penn State is in a situation similar to Michigan, with a new head coach coming in from the Big 12 who spent a long time at their past school. Matt Campbell spent 10 seasons with the Cyclones and has now practically moved his roster from Ames to State College.
Iowa State was able to compete well in the Big 12, but now with the resources at Penn State, Campbell could soar with the Nittany Lions. That, along with the easier schedule his team has, especially avoiding the Big Three - Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana - Campbell could lead his team to a CFP appearance with a solid 10-win season that isn't totally out of the question.
2. Kyle Whittingham - Michigan
Some may wonder why Whittingham has a shot at the College Football Playoff in his first season at Michigan, but that's because of what the Wolverines did last season, given everything the program dealt with. Michigan was 9-3 last season, with a true freshman QB who wasn't performing up to expectations, a head coach with other things going on personally, and no QB coach.
Now, the coaching staff has been totally revamped under Whittingham, and the roster looks really strong coming in with a lot of experience. Sure, the schedule is a bit troublesome, as Michigan has to face the Big Three in Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana, along with other ranked opponents like Penn State, Iowa, and Oklahoma.
That tough schedule could end up working in Michigan's favor, though, giving them a strong resume if they win at least half of their ranked games and all the unranked games. It could be enough to get Michigan in one of the final spots of the CFP.
1. Lane Kiffin - LSU
Let's face it, even though Lane Kiffin does his weird Lane Kiffin things off the field, he is still one of the top college football coaches in the country. There is a reason he was one of the most sought-after coaches during the coaching cycle last season, and now he is working with, reportedly, the most expensive roster in the country.
It won't be easy, especially with Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee all on the schedule in November, but the SEC tends to beat up on itself, which could lead to LSU walking into the College Football Playoff with enough high-caliber wins.
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