AFCA Announces General Speakers for the 2026 AFCA Convention
December 31, 2025
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) is pleased to announce the featured speakers for the 2026 AFCA Convention, to be held January 11–13 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This year’s program will include presentations from Bobby Hauck (Montana), Lance Taylor (Western Michigan), Jason Eck (New Mexico), Tony Elliott (Virginia), and Brent Vigen (Montana State).
Each of these head coaches led nationally recognized seasons in 2025.
- Bobby Hauck guided Montana to a 13-win season highlighted by one of the most productive offenses in program history and a deep FCS playoff run. Was the 2025 president of the AFCA and was also selected as the 2025 AFCA FCS Region 5 Coach of the Year.
- Lance Taylor led Western Michigan to a landmark 10-win season that included a conference championship and bowl victory. Coach Taylor was recently added to the AFCA Board of Trustees.
- Jason Eck directed a resurgence at New Mexico, returning the Lobos to postseason play and establishing the program as a contender in the Mountain West.
- Tony Elliott oversaw the most successful season in Virginia history, securing 11 wins, an ACC regular-season title, and recognition as ACC Coach of the Year. Coach Elliott was recently added to the AFCA Board of Trustees.
- Brent Vigen, currently preparing Montana State for the FCS National Championship, has established the Bobcats as one of the nation’s elite FCS programs. He became Montana State’s fourth national coach of the year in 2024 and the first to receive the Eddie Robinson Award. Vigen has produced four seasons of at least 12 wins, is the only coach in program history to lead MSU to four consecutive postseason appearances, and has guided the Bobcats to three national championship game berths.
The AFCA Convention remains the premier professional development event for football coaches at all levels. These featured sessions will provide attendees with insight into program leadership, culture, and strategy from some of the sport’s most accomplished coaches.
We look forward to welcoming the coaches to Charlotte in January.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) is pleased to announce the featured speakers for the 2026 AFCA Convention, to be held January 11–13 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This year’s program will include presentations from Bobby Hauck (Montana), Lance Taylor (Western Michigan), Jason Eck (New Mexico), Tony Elliott (Virginia), and Brent Vigen (Montana State).
Each of these head coaches led nationally recognized seasons in 2025.
- Bobby Hauck guided Montana to a 13-win season highlighted by one of the most productive offenses in program history and a deep FCS playoff run. Was the 2025 president of the AFCA and was also selected as the 2025 AFCA FCS Region 5 Coach of the Year.
- Lance Taylor led Western Michigan to a landmark 10-win season that included a conference championship and bowl victory. Coach Taylor was recently added to the AFCA Board of Trustees.
- Jason Eck directed a resurgence at New Mexico, returning the Lobos to postseason play and establishing the program as a contender in the Mountain West.
- Tony Elliott oversaw the most successful season in Virginia history, securing 11 wins, an ACC regular-season title, and recognition as ACC Coach of the Year. Coach Elliott was recently added to the AFCA Board of Trustees.
- Brent Vigen, currently preparing Montana State for the FCS National Championship, has established the Bobcats as one of the nation’s elite FCS programs. He became Montana State’s fourth national coach of the year in 2024 and the first to receive the Eddie Robinson Award. Vigen has produced four seasons of at least 12 wins, is the only coach in program history to lead MSU to four consecutive postseason appearances, and has guided the Bobcats to three national championship game berths.
The AFCA Convention remains the premier professional development event for football coaches at all levels. These featured sessions will provide attendees with insight into program leadership, culture, and strategy from some of the sport’s most accomplished coaches.
We look forward to welcoming the coaches to Charlotte in January.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
