2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 – Presented by Riddell InSite Analytics Participants Announced

The AFCA is pleased to announce the selections for its 2026 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute presented by Riddell InSite Analytics.

The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics, is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance. 

Members of the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 receive a stipend to assist with expenses incurred while attending the AFCA Convention. They will be published in the bi-monthly AFCA Magazine, AFCA Insider weekly email blast, and/or have their articles and videos added to the AFCA website. Members become a part of a prestigious network of rising coaches in the profession, along with many other great benefits. 

To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years old or younger on January 1st of the year’s convention and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, a two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or an NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or a ten-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant’s choosing back in the summer. 

For those interested in applying for next year’s class, submissions for the 2027 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute will run from July 1st to July 31st, 2026.