The 2026 college football season features 138 teams competing at the FBS level. All but 15 programs are helmed by coaches who, years ago, suited up at the college level themselves.
Some were superstars—though a surprising few went on to play in the NFL to any extent, and only one has a gold jacket and his visage enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Far more were role-players and walk-ons, plus a fair number competed in the Division II, III and NAIA ranks, only experiencing the sport’s premier level once they entered coaching.
