College football coaches from all sports are calling for changes to the postseason playoff system, and how many teams should have a chance to earn a bid.
I can imagine that you are shocked to hear that the assistant coaches, and other head coaches, want to expand the current system. But again, the debate continues about whether the sport should abandon the current 12-team playoff format in favor of 24 teams that award participation medals and a lucrative paycheck.
What's the latest controversy, you might ask?
However, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) recently met to share ideas on how to improve the game of college football, as well as other discussions about the current state of the profession that changes on what seems like a weekly basis.
It should be noted that this group has no power, and any kind of “recommendations” will not bring about change by themselves.
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Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes watches the game in the fourth quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 8, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
This time, when they came out of their meeting, the great theme of “change” became a hot topic that many coaches in this game seem to be failing and that their job security is linked to the 12-team competition that started only two years ago.
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Of course, some of the topics discussed during another eventful end of the season were tied to the change in how many transfer portal sessions there are now (one) compared to previous years.
But, the strong feeling is based on how they think (assistants, analysts, head coaches) that the game of college football can be made better if some changes are made.
The coaches want to finish the conference title games, add more playoff teams
On Tuesday, the AFCA issued a statement to its board conveying the message that immediate changes are needed to help usher college football into a new era.
Mind you, we still live in a very old place, although that doesn't mean coaches won't look at themselves, rightfully so.
What are some changes to the current system that AFCA members would like to see implemented in the near future?
However, there are a few of them, starting with the elimination of conference championship games. If you're an avid college football fan, you've surely heard this over the past year, as the SEC and Big Ten continue to battle over how many teams should be able to make the CFP.
Right now, there is a game of “chicken” being played. The Big Ten, along with others like the ACC and Big 12, want the playoff to have 24 teams. On the other side of the coin, the SEC prefers to go with a 16-team format, although most coaches within the conference will be fine with 24 teams.
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Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Why was there a disagreement? As you may have noticed recently, some coaches within the SEC are beginning to voice their displeasure with the move to a nine-game conference schedule without further expansion of the college football playoff. The thought process in the coaching staff discussion, for some, is that if they're going to add an extra conference game, they have an extended playoff streak.
That's a reasonable take, but getting to the point of extending the postseason again will take some money at this point. Since the SEC and Big Ten control that we see an extended playoff, due to other conferences giving them that power in the final round of negotiations, reaching an agreement on how many teams should be included has been a difficult argument as the two disagree.
As for the AFCA member coaches, they want to “increase the number of participants while respecting the proposed completion date” which means “adding more teams once the ESPN contract is approved.”
Not playing football in late January? That's right
Something that I think most of you fans will have no problem with is the AFCA voting that ends the season on the second Monday in January. Sure, we can get behind that part.
Don't worry though, this is how they vote for “student athletes.” Okay, so we're going to drop the company line and continue to call paid players “students.”
“Scheduling the season this way will better support student-athletes by closely matching the academic calendar and aligning with a single transfer window,” AFCA said in a statement. “It also raises the level of play at the most important time of the season by eliminating unnecessary breaks and maintaining the rhythm of the competition.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning calls his team during the first half of the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff against James Madison in Eugene, Ore., Dec. 20, 2025. (Lydia Ely/AP)
For some reason, the coaches who voiced their opinion want to reduce the number of bye weeks from two to one. So, are we concerned about the wear and tear on players' bodies or not?
I think we all understand where we are headed in college football. The playoffs will be extended, fans didn't ask for it, and the season will officially begin a week before the regular Labor Day weekend.
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But, as we move into 'talk' season, remember that there are many voices that want to be heard about major change in college football, though few will actually find their recommendations heard loud enough to make a real move.
Until then, everything is sound.
