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Among the 25 teams highlighted in FloCollege's Way Too Early D2 Football Rankings, five will start the 2026 season under new head coaches.
Since those programs make up 20 percent of the preseason Top 25, how each coach shapes their new team will be one of the biggest storylines to watch this fall.
Three of the five coaching changes came after the previous head coach departed for a Division I opportunity. Four of the five replacements were external hires, while only one program promoted from within. Despite that, three of the new head coaches have previous ties to the programs they now lead.
Some inherit championship expectations, while others are looking to sustain recent success. Either way, each coach faces the challenge of keeping a Top 25 program on track in 2026.
Harding Football (#2)
Previous coach: Paul Simmons
- 92-16 overall at Harding.
- 2023 national champion.
- Four GAC championships.
- Moved into a newly created GM role instead of leaving the program.
New coach: Roddy Mote
- Longtime defensive coordinator.
- Harding alum.
- Defensive architect behind one of the nation's best defenses.
What changes?
It's unlikely there will be any massive philosophical changes within the Harding program. Simmons remains involved as general manager, but Mote will have an opportunity to put his own stamp on the team. With that said, the established culture and much of the staff remain in place for this perennial contender.
Central Washington Football (#5)
Previous coach: Chris Fisk
- 48-22 overall at Central Washington.
- Built CWU into a perennial playoff team.
- Left to become Portland State's head coach.
New coach: Scott Power
- Former CWU defensive coordinator.
- Returns after coordinating defenses at Louisiana Tech and Western Michigan and coaching nickels at Wisconsin.
- First collegiate head coaching job.
What changes?
CWU ranked 16th in the nation in scoring defense last season. Expect that to be reemphasized under Power. In an interview with the CWU Observer, Power said, "Our identity will remain the same. The system has never really left ever … I think there’s a pretty clear identity of how we want to play defense."
Findlay Football (#8)
Previous coach: Kory Allen
- 33-12 overall at Findlay.
- Led Findlay to a 10-2 season in 2025, G-MAC title, and first home NCAA playoff game ever.
- Left for Toledo to take role as associate head coach and tight ends coach.
New coach: Tyler Johns
- Former Findlay player.
- Spent the previous two seasons as Gardner-Webb's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
- Previously led successful offenses at Tiffin.
What changes?
Johns played under Allen when Allen was an assistant at Findlay. Expect Johns to build on the identity already in place while putting his own stamp on the Oilers. His first staff blends coaches with previous Findlay experience with several new additions.
Albany State Football (#13)
Previous coach: Quinn Gray Sr.
- 24-11 overall at Albany State.
- Won the 2025 SIAC championship.
- Led Albany State to its first Division 2 quarterfinal appearance.
- Left for the Florida A&M head coaching job.
New coach: David Bowser
- More than 20 years of D2 coaching and administrator experience.
- Former Saint Augustine's head coach and AD.
- Served as linebackers coach and director of player personnel for Johnson C. Smith's 2025 CIAA championship team.
What changes?
Bowser quickly added three members to his staff, including Marcus Hilliard as defensive coordinator. Hilliard was most recently at Barton and Elizabeth City State, but earned the 2018 AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year award while serving as Virginia Union's assistant head coach and defensive line coach.
UT Permian Basin Football (#16)
Previous coach: Kris McCullough
- 28-10 overall at UTPB.
- Became the winningest coach in program history.
- Took UTPB to its first D2 quarterfinal.
- Left for Gardner-Webb.
New coach: Chris Softley
- Highly successful Texas high school coach with a 101-22 record.
- Won two state championships at Lubbock Christian School.
- First collegiate head coaching job.
What changes?
Already, Softley's connection to Texas high school football has paid dividends as National Signing Day brought 25 freshmen to UTPB, all of whom attended Texas schools, including two from Lubbock Christian. The Falcons also added 20 transfers, including players from Baylor, Harding, Fresno State, Slippery Rock, and North Dakota. From the transfers, we can see that Softley is reinforcing the secondary and adding size on the offensive line.
Way-Too-Early D2 Football Rankings for 2026 Season
- Ferris State
- Harding
- Kutztown
- CSU Pueblo
- Central Washington
- Indianapolis
- Virginia Union
- Findlay
- Minnesota State
- Pittsburg State
- Minnesota Duluth
- Northwest Missouri State
- Albany State
- Western Colorado
- Augustana (SD)
- UT Permian Basin
- Johnson C. Smith
- Western Oregon
- Ashland
- Grand Valley State
- Newberry
- Chadron State
- Northwood
- Frostburg State
- Wingate
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