Curt Cignetti Surged 20 Spots to #3 and Made Indiana a National Champ in Two Seasons!
Hold up, college football fanatics! If you thought you knew the top dogs on the sidelines, CBS Sports just dropped their 2026 Power Four coach rankings. The landscape got a massive shake-up with new power leaders and elite names redefining the game, but one coach made a leap so absurd, it'll be all anyone talks about all season. Forget what you thought you knew, because Curt Cignetti just vaulted into the number three spot, turning Indiana into a national champion in just two seasons. Seriously, who saw that coming?
The Hoosier King's Unbelievable Rise
You heard that right: Curt Cignetti, previously at number 21, just made an unheard-of 20-spot jump to claim the #3 ranking in the entire country! CBS Sports didn't just rank him third, they labeled him the top overall coach for his rapid turnaround. This dude took Indiana from an overlooked program to a national champion in two short seasons. We're talking landmark wins over powerhouses like Oregon and Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. Plus, he racked up dominant postseason victories against Alabama, Oregon again, and Miami. His system, discipline, and aggressive game planning are getting all the credit, and it's easy to see why. The guy is a wizard!
Trade on Every Game with Kalshi
Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.
Elite Contenders and Frustrated Giants
While Cignetti grabs headlines, the rest of the top five features a mix of consistent winners and some feeling the heat. Dan Lanning, leading Oregon for four seasons, comes in strong with a ridiculous 48-8 overall record and a 32-4 conference mark. He won the Big Ten in his first season and grabbed multiple playoff wins, including their first since the inaugural CFP era win over Florida State. Despite missing the conference title game last year, analysts still view him as a future national champion contender. How could you not?
Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame holds strong despite controversy. Voters kept him highly ranked as he's evolved Brian Kelly's program into a national title contender with stronger performances and clear identity. Ranked sixth last season, staying high on the list speaks volumes.
Rounding out the top two are familiar, albeit frustrated, faces. Ryan Day at Ohio State (#2) led his team to a 12-2 season (9-0 conference), finally clearing Michigan. But he lost to champion Indiana in the title game, ending on a two-game skid with no first-place votes. Then there's Kirby Smart at Georgia (#1), who dropped a spot. With two national championships already, Georgia expects titles every year. But their season ended poorly, claiming the SEC crown yet failing to secure a playoff win, a drought since the 2022 title. He nabbed four first-place votes, but that playoff drought has gotta sting.
What This Means Moving Forward
So, as we head into this new college football season, the message is clear: the hierarchy is shifting. Cignetti's Indiana is a proven national champion, and Lanning's Oregon looks poised for more. Will Kirby Smart get Georgia back to playoff dominance, or will Ryan Day finally finish the job at Ohio State? This list just gave us a massive preview of the coaching battles to come, and I, for one, cannot wait to watch it all unfold. Get ready for some fireworks, Emerald City, because this season is going to be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.