Coaches Take Center Stage in EA Sports College Football 26

Over 300 Coaches Featured with Ratings and Archetypes

EA Sports College Football 26 has arrived, and this time, it's not just the players stealing the show. Over 300 college football coaches have been included, each with their own ratings and archetypes. This is a significant improvement from last year's game, which didn't feature licensed coaches. However, a few notable names like Bill Belichick, Deion Sanders, Kirk Ferentz, and Mario Cristobal opted out. Despite this, the majority of coaches are part of the game, requiring EA Sports to develop a ranking system.

Top-Rated Coaches

The cream of the crop includes Georgia's Kirby Smart, Clemson's Dabo Swinney, and Ohio State's Ryan Day, all of whom have earned the prestigious "CEO" archetype, the highest possible rating. Smart and Swinney are tied at the top with a coaching level of 80, while Day is close behind at 72. In total, 11 real-world coaches have achieved an A+ in coach prestige, including stand-ins for Cristobal and Sanders, both with a coaching level of 40.

Bottom-Rated Coaches

Not every coach is at the top. Delaware's Ryan Carty, FAU's Zach Kittley, Ohio's Brian Smith, and Marshall's Tony Gibson are at the bottom of the prestige list with a D- and coaching levels below 22. The only coach with an F prestige rating is the CPU-generated coach for Kent State, as their interim coach, Mark Carney, isn't in the game.

Conference Breakdown

The game breaks down coach prestige ratings, coach level, and archetype for every coach in each conference. For example:

• Big Ten: Ohio State's Ryan Day leads with an A+ and a coaching level of 72, while Kent State's CPU coach sits at the bottom with an F and a coaching level of 20.
• SEC: Georgia's Kirby Smart tops the list with an A+ and a coaching level of 80, while Mississippi State's Jeff Lebby is at the bottom with a C and a coaching level of 40.

Reactions and Implications

It's fascinating to see how these ratings shake out. Some coaches might feel they deserve higher ratings, while others might be content with their placement. Either way, it's an engaging way to see how the gaming world views real-world coaches.