Coaching carousel 2026: Who may land top jobs as vacancies arise

The 2026 college-football coaching market is expected to feature several candidates with recent success at Group of 6 and Power-5 programs. Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck, who has posted a 66-44 record and five seasons with eight or more wins, is seen as a possible next-level hire. Wake Forest’s Jake Dickert, 43, earned a 32-24 record at Washington State and a 9-4 debut at Wake Forest, prompting speculation about interest from schools such as Wisconsin.

Washington’s Jedd Fisch, a veteran of 11 stops since 2008, is entering his third year in Seattle after a 9-4 season and may be considered for jobs in Florida or Michigan if they open. Manny Diaz, after rebuilding Duke with consecutive nine-win seasons and an ACC title, is described as a “hot name” by industry sources. Georgia Tech’s Brent Key, a lifelong Southeast coach, has guided his alma mater to three bowl games and a 20-11 ACC record, making him a candidate for SEC vacancies.

Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, who earned consecutive SEC Coach of the Year honors and led the Commodores to a historic 10-win season, could depart for a higher-profile role. BYU’s Kalani Sitake, 23-4 over the past two seasons, is linked to potential openings at USC. Both Rhett Lashlee of SMU and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham are viewed as needing a “truly great opportunity” to move on.

Among rising coaches, Jason Eck at New Mexico, Matt Entz at Fresno State, and Dan Mullen at UNLV are highlighted for possible jumps to larger programs. Boise State’s Spencer Danielson, 37, has delivered a CFP appearance and a No. 8 finish, while Memphis’s Charles Huff and Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor have earned recent conference titles.

Coordinators also attract attention. Georgia’s Glenn Schumann, 36, is considered a top candidate for regional openings, with Florida State mentioned as a logical fit. Ohio State’s Matt Patricia, a former NFL defensive coordinator, has solidified his reputation after a strong first season. Indiana’s Bryant Haines, the Broyles Award winner, and Alabama’s Kane Wommack are expected to be in demand for head-coach roles.

The list also includes former head coaches who may re-enter the market, such as Brian Kelly, Jimbo Fisher and Skip Holtz, each bringing extensive experience despite recent setbacks.

Industry insiders suggest that performance this fall, especially at programs investing in facilities and resources, will shape which of these coaches become the next wave of Power-5 hires.