Today: Impact CFB hires, MBB bubble watch, Remembering Lou Holtz, and the case for the 12-team CFP.

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NCAA FOOTBALL

New college football staff hires poised to make a major impact in 2026

Bobby Petrino, Charlie Weis Jr., Will Muschamp

Spring practice is underway around the country, and while roster turnover grabs most of the headlines, new assistants can shape a season just as much as players or head coaches. On3's Chris Low recently highlighted the assistant coaches and staff additions poised to make a major impact in 2026, a list that spans the sport and includes several high-profile hires at major programs. You can read the full breakdown here.

North Carolina: Bobby Petrino, offensive coordinator: Bill Belichick brought Petrino to Chapel Hill to jumpstart an offense that ranked 120th nationally in scoring last season, and the veteran play-caller could play a critical role in rebuilding the Tar Heels' quarterback room while installing the aggressive offensive approach he's known for.

LSU: Charlie Weis Jr., offensive coordinator: One of the brightest young offensive minds in the game, Weis followed Lane Kiffin to LSU after helping engineer a prolific offense at Ole Miss, where the Rebels scored 107 points across three playoff games last season.

Texas: Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator: Steve Sarkisian turned to the longtime SEC head coach and defensive strategist to elevate a Texas defense that struggled late last season, bringing back the same defensive mind who helped lead elite Longhorns units during his first stint in Austin.

These three hires are only a small piece of Low's larger list. His full breakdown highlights 30 hires across the country who could reshape teams in 2026, from coordinators to position coaches and key off-field staff members. Check out the entire list below.

Read the Full Story

MARCH MADNESS

2026 NCAA Tournament bubble watch enters final stages as regular season nears end

Jake Diebler, Jamie Dixon, Darian Devries, Brian Dutcher

The NCAA Tournament bubble is shifting as the regular season ends and conference tournaments begin, with only days left. Teams around the 9-seed line are generally safe; 10s and 11s still need wins. Outside the field, the margin is shrinking. Here are the biggest recent risers and fallers.

📈 Stock up

Ohio State: The Buckeyes flipped the narrative with a statement win over Purdue, adding a needed result while analytics still like their overall work. Their last game against Indiana can add cushion before the Big Ten Tournament.

TCU: A four-game win streak has lifted the Horned Frogs into the Last Four In range, punctuated by a road win over Texas Tech. Big 12 positioning helps offset non-conference losses, and a closing bubble battle with Cincinnati could swing momentum.

New Mexico: The Lobos beat San Diego State head-to-head and now sit in position to be the second Mountain West team in the at-large conversation. They pair a strong record with two Quad 1 wins, but after losing to Colorado State, Utah State will shape their margin.

📉 Stock down

San Diego State: Four losses in the past five games have complicated the Aztecs' path, and the latest defeat to Boise State raised the urgency. UNLV is a must-win to stop the skid before the Mountain West Tournament, where they may need multiple wins.

Indiana: A three-game losing streak arrived at the worst time, including a damaging loss to Northwestern. The Hoosiers beat Minnesota and now have an opportunity against Ohio State for a head-to-head boost.

SMU: Three-straight losses to Cal, Stanford, and Miami pulled the Mustangs closer to danger as bid-stealer anxiety ramps up. They need a win against Florida State, but another stumble could turn their conference tournament into an early must-win.

See Full Projections by Conference

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

College football world remembers Lou Holtz after his death at 89

College football lost one of its most influential figures on Wednesday as legendary coach Lou Holtz died at the age of 89. The Hall of Famer built championship programs across a more than 40-year career and remains the last coach to lead Notre Dame to a national title, guiding the Fighting Irish to a perfect 12-0 season in 1988. Holtz finished his career with a 249-132-7 record, with successful stops that included Arkansas and South Carolina before later becoming a staple on ESPN.

Notre Dame announced Holtz's passing after he entered hospice care earlier this year, prompting tributes from across the sport.

The tributes began immediately in South Bend. Notre Dame released a tribute video celebrating Holtz's impact on the program, including the 1988 championship and the lasting tradition of players touching the "Play Like A Champion Today" sign before taking the field. The school also honored Holtz on the stadium video board Wednesday night, a simple but powerful message recognizing the coach who helped define an era of Fighting Irish football.

Current Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman shared a heartfelt message following the news, praising Holtz for the values he brought to the program and the support he showed throughout Freeman's time in South Bend. Freeman said Holtz's legacy extends far beyond football and highlighted the love, trust, and commitment that shaped his career.

Tributes also poured in from across the college football world. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey reflected on Holtz's time leading Arkansas and South Carolina, calling him a giant of the sport whose impact reached far beyond the sidelines. Former ESPN colleague Rece Davis also reflected on Holtz's post-coaching career as "Dr. Lou," saying the decade they spent together on television became one of the most meaningful friendships of his life.

Family and friends also shared emotional messages remembering Holtz the person. His son, coach Skip Holtz, wrote that while his father was successful, what mattered most was that he was significant in the lives of others.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Wasserman: College football lucked its way into a highly-functional 12-team playoff. Why mess that up?

By pure chance — not skill, intelligence, concern for the fan, or even foresight — college football's leaders unintentionally stumbled upon the perfect 12-team playoff system. So what's the next move? Of course, they feel like they have to change it again.

No. Stop it.

How much money the Big Ten and SEC generate isn't our concern. We are consumers of the sport. What's actually best for college football? The answer: a meaningful regular season where wins and losses matter, and an entertaining and useful postseason tournament that invites teams that are capable of winning a national title. Watering down any of that is counterproductive.

Column from Ari Wasserman

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I played wide receiver at Alabama and was part of Nick Saban's early dynasty, sharing the field with star receiver Julio Jones.
By my senior season in 2011, I became Alabama's top receiver and a dangerous punt returner, highlighted by an 83-yard punt return touchdown against Arkansas.
I helped Alabama win two national championships and was injured after nearly breaking a punt return for a touchdown in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game against LSU.

Answer at the bottom.

SHAREWORTHY