MaxPreps continues its preview of the 2026 high school football season with a look at 10 coaches who could make a difference in their first year with new programs.
One of the top new coaches not on the list is former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, who is back at
Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) for a second stint after parting ways with UAB last October.
Former Grayson head coach took the same position with Gainesville after Josh Niblett took a position with the University of Colorado. In three seasons at Grayson, Bryant went 37-5.
Promoted from defensive coordinator after Santavious Bryant took head coaching position at Gainesville. Carswell takes over the nationally-ranked Rams with the talent to chase the program's fifth state title.
Spent the last seven years at Jackson (Ala.) before taking over for Patrick Nix, who retired after last season. His tenure at Jackson included a 69-21 record and back-to-back Class 4A titles in 2024 and 2025.
A 1974 alumni of the school, he coached with the Friars from 1989 until 2004. He was most
recently the head coach at Chandler (Ariz.) from 2019-24, winning a pair of Open Division state titles while putting together a 45-game win streak between 2018 and 2021.
Replaces Kyle Schmitt
after he left for a position with the University of Maryland. Green spent the last 12
years coaching at Navy. A Naval Academy graduate, Green started for the Midshipmen for three seasons before serving for more than a decade in the Marines.
Promoted from defensive coordinator after Ray Gates took a position with University of North Texas. Despite the eligibility ruling against five-star cornerback John Meredith III, the Panthers look to return to the state title game after winning it all in 2024.
Promoted from defensive coordinator after Riley Dodge took a position with SMU. The Dragons are 29-2 in the past two seasons with a state final appearance in 2024 and a state semifinal berth in 2025.
The 16-year NFL veteran was hired at the Trinity League school after spending the last three seasons at Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland). His swan song with the Dragons was a Division 5-AA state title victory in December.
The program's former defensive coordinator takes over for Eric Kjar, who took the head coaching spot at Weber State. Sutera spent the last four seasons at Brighton (Salt Lake City), compiling a 35-14 record with back-to-back state semifinal berths. He led the Corner Canyon defense when the Chargers from three straight state titles from 2018-20.
The former offensive coordinator at Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) has created a buzz with the Chiefs. He looks to mold a talent-rich roster into a power after a tenure with Chaminade-Madonna that included multiple state titles and a prolific offense that averaged more than 40 points per game.
