2026 College Football’s Underrated Coaches: Lashlee, Brohm Lead Playoff Contenders
In college football, finding and developing talent is what separates good coaches from the great ones. The 2026 season’s almost here, and a handful of coaches have managed to pull off some pretty impressive runs—even with programs that don’t always get the spotlight.
They’ve squeezed the most out of their rosters, gone toe-to-toe with tough conference lineups, and somehow kept their teams in the mix. So, who are the most underrated coaches flying under the radar this year? Let’s give them some overdue credit.
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Indiana’s Curt Cignetti: The Rising Star
Curt Cignetti at Indiana is on a serious roll. He just wrapped up an unbeaten season and bagged a national championship, somehow turning Indiana into a legit powerhouse.
Cignetti’s move from James Madison to Indiana really shows he knows how to spot and grow talent. The guy’s led back-to-back standout seasons, chalking up a 31-10 record in the last three years and going 5-3 against top 25 teams. If you’re not keeping an eye on him in 2026, you probably should be.
Key Achievements
- Unbeaten national championship season
- Record: 31-10 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 5-3
Rhett Lashlee: The Offensive Guru
Rhett Lashlee’s made waves at SMU, guiding the Mustangs through a tricky move to the Power Four. He’s all about offense, and it’s paid off with big wins over teams like Clemson and Miami.
SMU just missed the ACC title game, but they finished strong—knocking off nationally-ranked Arizona in a bowl. Lashlee’s sitting on a 28-12 record, with a 4-4 mark against top 25 teams. You just can’t ignore what he’s done for the program.
Key Achievements
- Record: 28-12 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 4-4
- Bowl victory over Arizona
Jeff Brohm: The Louisville Leader
Jeff Brohm has totally changed things at Louisville. The Cardinals finally made it to the ACC Championship Game again, which felt overdue.
Brohm’s teams keep showing up, ending up with a 28-11 record over the last three years. He’s loyal to Louisville and knows how to build a roster that can hang with anyone.
Key Achievements
- Record: 28-11 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 4-6
- ACC Championship Game appearance
Kalani Sitake: The Consistent Contender
Kalani Sitake’s BYU teams just keep winning. After a rough start in the Big 12, he’s bounced back with 23 wins in two years, and back-to-back top-15 finishes.
He’s held onto key talent and kept BYU in the national conversation. That’s not easy, and it’s why Sitake’s still one to watch as the new season kicks off.
Key Achievements
- Record: 25-14 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 7-7
- Two consecutive top-15 finishes
Jedd Fisch: The Offensive Innovator
Jedd Fisch has done some real work at Washington. The Huskies look like they belong in the Big Ten now, which, honestly, is no small feat.
He’s got a 27-12 record and has faced a tough crowd, going 4-9 against top 25 teams. Fisch’s offensive spark has Washington eyeing the next level in a packed conference.
Key Achievements
- Record: 27-12 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 4-9
- Turned Arizona into a 10-game winner
Josh Heupel: The Vols Visionary
Josh Heupel already got Tennessee to the College Football Playoff, and with the field expanding, there’s a real shot for more. Sure, the Vols have stumbled a bit against top-25 teams lately, but Heupel’s kept them in the top 20.
He’s at 23-16 over three seasons. 2026 feels like a make-or-break year for him in Knoxville, and, well, the pressure’s on.
Key Achievements
- Record: 23-16 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 5-7
- Led Tennessee to the CFP
Brent Key: The Smash Mouth Strategist
Brent Key’s brought some grit to Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have gone 25-13 over the last three years, and they play with a physical edge.
Key’s teams have come close to big wins, including a couple of one-score heartbreakers against Georgia. He’s working hard to keep Tech in the mix.
Key Achievements
- Record: 25-13 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 2-5
- Consecutive one-score losses to Georgia
Willie Fritz: The Veteran Visionary
Willie Fritz might be 65, but he’s proving age doesn’t slow him down. He jumped from Tulane to Houston and led the Cougars to a 10-win campaign in just his second year.
With a 25-14 record and a knack for winning close games (7-1 in nail-biters), Fritz has given Houston a real shot at relevance again. That’s not something you see every day.
Key Achievements
- Record: 25-14 in the last three seasons
- Top 25 record: 7-7
- 10-win season at Houston
With the 2026 season coming up, these coaches have shown they can really get things done. It’s not just about the wins—it’s how they’ve built their programs up, scouted talent, and found creative ways to win.
Honestly, it’s surprising they don’t get more recognition. If you’re curious about what sets them apart, you might want to take a look at the full article on CBS Sports.
