South Atlantic Conference Football

Big Changes in D2 Coaching Staffs: Where They Were And Where They're Headed

Big Changes in D2 Coaching Staffs: Where They Were And Where They're Headed

McCullough, Fisk, and Ingram take new coaching roles at the FCS level & Allen moves to Toledo in a notable change. Here is a rundown of all of the changes.

Jan 14, 2026
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D2 Football is seeing some major changes in its coaching leadership. From powerhouses getting new leadership to smaller programs getting big-time names, the coaching world has seen some waves in this 2025-26 offseason. 

In a non-shocking turn of events, the coaching hierarchy continues as coaches move up the ladder from D2 to D1. For the D1 programs getting these coaches, these were some of the best in D2. From long-term commitments to teams and historic seasons, the world of FCS & FBS football should see a change in a positive direction within the next few seasons. 

Most notably in this piece, Kory Allen has taken a major jump into the fun land of FBS football. Allen will move away from a head coaching position to a position-specific role, but still, this major jump is one to be noted and kept an eye on. 

Two coaches from the LSC depart from their schools as UTPB and Central Washington will be beginning the transition processes to new coaches, and as spring ball looms on the horizon, the major question for these two standouts in the Lone Star is simple. How quickly will it take to get adjusted, but also, how will the transfer portal affect these teams? While we don't know the full moves for these two schools, we will be keeping our eyes peeled for any major moves. 

Safe to say the chaos never stops in football, even in the offseason, but with so many changes, it can be hard to keep track. 

So, for the fans looking for all the information on where their coach may have moved to, here's a cheat sheet on where they started and where they're headed.

2026 D2 Coaching Changes

Kris McCullough departs from UTPB after making history. The 2025 season showcased McCullough's foundation with the Falcons, as they finished 11-3 and advanced to the NCAA D2 Quarterfinals. He departs as the program's all-time winningest head coach. He heads to D1 FCS Gardner-Webb, bringing his passion, leadership, and impact to the Bulldogs.

After an impressive season with the Findlay Oilers, Kory Allen accepted the Assistant Head Coach/Tight End Coach position with the Toledo Rockets. After 20 years with the Oilers, 4 as their head coach, Allen takes his skills to D1. This 2025 season was Findlay's best season since joining NCAA Division 2, and Allen's overall record as head coach was 33-12, the highest win percentage by a Findlay head coach since Dick Strahm.


Chris Fisk is hired as Head Coach for D1 Portland State after seven seasons as the Central Washington Wildcats Leader. Fishput him up in the history books as one of the most successful head coaches in the CWU program during his sixth season. He was named the 2025 Super Region 4 Coach of the Year and had an overall 48-22 record, with a standout 38-7 record in conference play.


Carson-Newman's Ashley Ingram moves to D1 Virginia Military Institute. Ingram leaves the Eagles on a 16-6 record - the most wins by a football coach in his first two seasons at Carson-Newman. He won his first 7 games straight as head coach and led his team to the NCAA Playoffs hin is first year. 

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