Iowa Ties Highlight College Football Coaching Hot Board for 2026 Cycle
As the 2026 college football season kicks off, athletic directors across the country are already mapping out their contingency plans. The 2025 coaching carousel was one of the wildest in recent memory, with major programs like LSU, Michigan, and Florida changing leadership. Now, industry insiders are watching a new list of candidates who could be on the move, and several have direct ties to Iowa.
While no one expects a repeat of last year's chaos, the landscape is volatile. Questions loom at USC, Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame. If any of those dominos fall, the ripple effect could reach programs from coast to coast. Here is a look at the coaches generating the most buzz, including one with deep Hawkeye State roots.
Why the 2026 Coaching Cycle Could Get Crazy
Forecasting a coaching cycle based on the previous one is risky business. Last year saw Lane Kiffin leave a playoff-bound Ole Miss team for LSU, James Franklin get fired and rehired in the same cycle, and Pat Fitzgerald return to the Big Ten after a three-year absence.
Typically, the carousel that follows a massive year is quieter. But several unresolved situations could spark unexpected movement. What happens if USC opens up? What if Marcus Freeman bolts for the NFL? Could the pressure at Alabama become too much for Kalen DeBoer? Any of these scenarios could trigger a chain reaction.
Administrators need to know the top movable candidates before vacancies even appear. Industry sources have identified a mix of Power 4 head coaches, Group of 6 standouts, elite coordinators, and sidelined veterans ready for a comeback.
Power 4 Head Coaches on the Radar
Several established Power 4 coaches could be tempted by the right opportunity. Eliah Drinkwitz has gone 29-10 in the past three seasons at Missouri and turned down high-profile interest last year. A tougher SEC schedule this fall will test whether he can sustain that success.
P.J. Fleck continues to win at Minnesota, with eight or more victories in five of the past six full seasons and a perfect 7-0 bowl record. His branding often overshadows his results, but the 45-year-old has a decade of Big Ten experience and could seek a new challenge.
Manny Diaz has rebuilt his reputation at Duke after being forced out at Miami. He has delivered consecutive nine-win seasons and surprisingly won the ACC title last year. One industry source said,
“The rise of Manny Diaz. Fired by Miami and now he's a hot name at Duke. Look, you can win at Duke, you can win at a lot of places.”
Kalani Sitake nearly left BYU for Penn State last year before staying with an enhanced deal. But recent administrative changes in Provo have stirred doubts again. His 23-4 record over the past two seasons makes him a strong candidate if a job like USC opens.
Clark Lea has won consecutive SEC Coach of the Year awards at Vanderbilt, including a historic 10-win season. He is a Vanderbilt guy through and through, but the right job with a higher ceiling could lure him away.
Rhett Lashlee at SMU and Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State would both need a truly elite opportunity to leave their current posts. Both have made CFP appearances and built annual Top 25 programs. An A-list SEC job seems like the logical next step for either.
Group of 6 Coaches Ready to Move Up
The Group of 6 ranks are loaded with coaches who could make the leap to the Power 4. Jason Eck led New Mexico to nine wins in his first season, the best by a first-year Lobos coach. The former Wisconsin offensive lineman could be a candidate if a job opens at his alma mater.
Matt Entz has FCS championships on his resume from North Dakota State and went 9-4 in his first season at Fresno State. Another strong year would put the 53-year-old on radars from the Midwest to the West Coast.
Dan Mullen returned to coaching last year at UNLV and went 10-4. His overall record of 113-65 and his quarterback development skills make him an attractive option for potential Big Ten or ACC openings.
Spencer Danielson has guided Boise State to conference titles in each of his full seasons, including a CFP appearance. The 37-year-old has spent his entire career at Boise State but could appeal to vacancies in the western half of the country.
Tim Polasek is leading North Dakota State into the FBS and the Mountain West this season. He is 27-3 as a college coach with an FCS national title in 2024. Critically for Iowa readers, Polasek coached the offensive line at Iowa from 2017 to 2020.
Charles Huff could land four FBS jobs in four years if he wins big at Memphis. He guided Marshall to a Sun Belt title, improved Southern Miss by six wins, and now takes over a program that has vaulted its past three coaches to Power 4 jobs.
Other names to watch include Jason Candle at UConn, Lance Taylor at Western Michigan, Brian Newberry at Navy, Jerry Mack at Kennesaw State, Sean Lewis at San Diego State, Blake Harrell at East Carolina, Willie Simmons at FIU, GJ Kinne at Texas State, and Tyson Helton at Western Kentucky.
Coordinator Candidates With Head Coach Potential
Several coordinators are positioning themselves for their first head coaching opportunity. Glenn Schumann at Georgia is only 36 but already one of the most established names in the market. He was a candidate for the North Carolina job that went to Bill Belichick.
Matt Patricia silenced skeptics at Ohio State with a historically strong defense in his first season. The former NFL coach could return to the pros or jump to a college head job.
Bryant Haines won the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant after leading Indiana's defense to a national championship. He has strong Midwest roots and could be coveted by both college and NFL teams.
Arthur Smith, also at Ohio State, returned to college after a 15-year NFL stretch that included three seasons as Atlanta Falcons head coach. His management of the Buckeyes' talent-stocked offense will be closely watched.
Kane Wommack at Alabama has previous head coaching experience at South Alabama and led a Tide defense that ranked 13th nationally in yards allowed.
Mike Shanahan orchestrated Indiana's national championship offense, which ranked No. 3 nationally in scoring. He coached Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and is in no rush to leave, but the inquiries will come.
FCS and Sidelined Coaches to Watch
Brett Vigen led Montana State to its first national title since 1984 and has reached the championship game three times in five seasons. The North Dakota native has FBS experience at Wyoming.
Kevin Cahill won the Eddie Robinson Award as the top FCS coach in 2025 after a remarkable run at Lehigh. He now leads Yale and could be a candidate for FBS openings in the Northeast.
Among sidelined coaches, Brian Kelly still wants to coach despite a disappointing end at LSU. His overall accomplishments include two CFP appearances at Notre Dame and two Division II national titles at Grand Valley State.
Jimbo Fisher has stated he is open to coaching again. The 60-year-old is 128-48 all time with a national championship at Florida State, though his Texas A&M tenure ended with a record buyout.
Skip Holtz went 33-7 with three straight USFL championships with the Birmingham Stallions. He recently said he is not retiring after taking care of his father, Lou, in his final weeks. One industry source said,
“I would take Skip tomorrow. Part of the problem last year was his dad was real sick, but with that behind him now, I think Skip's ready.”
What This Means for Iowa Football Fans
For Iowa fans, the most relevant name on this list is Tim Polasek. His time coaching the Hawkeyes' offensive line from 2017 to 2020 gave him valuable Power 4 experience and Midwest connections. If he leads North Dakota State successfully through its first FBS season, he could become a candidate for jobs in the region.
The coaching carousel is unpredictable by nature. Last year proved that even playoff-bound coaches can change addresses. As the season unfolds, expect more names to emerge and the picture to sharpen. For now, these are the coaches creating the most buzz in industry circles.