Curt Cignetti Rises to Top of Big Ten Coach Rankings for 2026

The Big Ten conference has seen significant success recently, winning three consecutive national titles with different schools. This achievement has sparked discussions about the conference's standing in college football, particularly regarding its coaching talent.

Curt Cignetti, who led Indiana to a national title, has been ranked as the top coach in the Big Ten for the upcoming 2026 season. His rapid transformation of Indiana's football program has garnered attention, with some considering him one of the greatest coaching hires in sports history. Ryan Day of Ohio State, previously ranked first, now holds the second position after a 12-2 season that ended with losses to Indiana and Miami.

Other notable coaches include Dan Lanning of Oregon, who has led the Ducks to the College Football Playoff, and Sherrone Moore, who has been replaced by Kyle Whittingham at Michigan. The rankings reflect a competitive coaching landscape, with several new faces and established coaches vying for top positions as the season approaches.