4 minSports
Five under-the-radar coaches who could headline the 2026 college football carousel
As the 2026 college football season approaches, several coaches on the hot seat could create openings at major programs. Here are five lesser-known names who might be the next big hires.
The 2025 college football coaching carousel was historic, with openings at powerhouse programs like LSU, Florida, and Penn State. While this year's cycle is expected to be quieter, several prominent schools — including Florida State, South Carolina, and Baylor — have coaches entering the season on extremely hot seats. If those jobs open up, athletic directors may need to look beyond the usual marquee names to find their next head coach.
One candidate who could get a call is UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor. He has turned the Roadrunners into a consistent winner, leading them to two of the best seasons in program history in 2021 and 2022, including their first AP Poll appearance and first conference championship. He also has three straight bowl victories. Traylor has spent nearly his entire career in Texas, including 15 years as a high school coach at Gilmer, which could help with in-state recruiting. If Baylor decides to part ways with Dave Aranda, Traylor's deep Lone Star State ties make him a logical fit for the Bears.
Another Texas-based coach to watch is Houston's Willie Fritz. After a 10-win season in 2025 that ended with the Cougars ranked in the top 25, Fritz has proven he can rebuild programs quickly. He previously led Tulane to a Cotton Bowl upset of USC in 2022, and his six-win improvement from year one to year two at Houston has drawn attention. If Wisconsin moves on from Luke Fickell, Fritz's track record of rapid turnarounds could make him an attractive option for a program looking to return to prominence.
Eric Morris may be the hottest name on the market before he even finishes unpacking in Stillwater. After successful stints at Incarnate Word and Washington State, Morris took North Texas to new heights and then landed the Oklahoma State job after a spectacular 2025 campaign. His explosive air raid offense, paired with quarterback Drew Mestemaker, could light up scoreboards in the Big 12 this season. At just 40 years old, Morris is young enough to be a long-term solution, but a deep-pocketed program could try to pry him away after just one season with the Cowboys.
For a truly off-the-radar candidate, consider Tony Annese of Ferris State. The Division II coach has compiled staggering win totals throughout his career, first at the high school and junior college levels and then at Ferris State, where he has been since 2012. Annese is a three-time Division II Coach of the Year and has led the Bulldogs to four of the last five national championship games. His path mirrors that of Indiana's Curt Cignetti, who dominated at lower levels before succeeding in a power conference. If a Power 4 program is willing to take a chance on a proven winner, Annese could be the surprise hire of the cycle.
With the season still ahead, these names are speculative, but each has the résumé and trajectory to become a serious candidate when the carousel starts spinning. Programs looking for stability, recruiting connections, or offensive innovation may find their next leader among this group.
