College football coaching tiers 2026: It’s Curt Cignetti and Kirby Smart, then everyone else - nytimes.com

“The NYT’s 2026 coaching tier list places Curt Cignetti and Kirby Smart at the pinnacle, separating them from the rest of the Division I landscape. The ranking reflects recent on‑field success, recruiting prowess, and program stability, while also hinting at how coaching prestige drives ticket sales, TV contracts, and local economies tied to college football. Expert Analysis: The concentration of elite status around a handful of coaches underscores the growing financial disparity in college sports, where top programs leverage coaching brand equity to command higher sponsorship deals and alumni donations. As the market tightens, mid‑tier schools may need to innovate in analytics and player development to stay competitive without matching the spending power of the elite.”