When EA Sports College Football 26 launches on July 10, it looks to include a new feature. If the cover reveal is any indication, the sport’s best coaches will be in the game this time around. A minor feature on the surface, this addition could add a lot to Dynasty modes in the game.
Avoiding The Sophomore Slump
With this year’s iteration being the sophomore edition of college football’s return, EA very intentionally put two sophomores on the cover of the Standard Edition. Alabama wideout Ryan Williams and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith both lit up the scoreboard as freshmen last year. As EA’s Evan Dexter indicated, College Football 26 wants to celebrate its sophomore season by moving forward:
With College Football 26, we’re celebrating our sophomore season with two generational sophomore wide receivers on the cover and we can’t wait for the world to experience even more heart and authenticity across athletes, stadiums, coaches and fans. Tune in this Thursday to see what makes it so special.
But if you look closely at the Deluxe Edition of College Football 26, you’ll spot some head coaches on the cover. Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, and Georgia’s Kirby Smart are joined by other head coaches and a host of current and former players on the cover. Head coaches and assistant coaches in College Football 26 will add a new layer to game modes we haven’t seen before.
Where Coaches Make College Football 26 Better
Dynasty mode has long been about taking over a program as its head coach and leading it to greatness. That likely won’t change for many players. For me, the appeal of this isn’t playing as Ryan Day. It’s in recruiting against Ryan Day, Kirby Smart, and others. Coaches have star power in college sports that they often don’t carry in the pros. Look no further than Urban Meyer—or even Nick Saban’s NFL run. But taking on some of the biggest names (and personalities) on the recruiting trail adds a whole new layer to College Football 26.
There’s great potential for actual head coaches in Ultimate Team, too. Each coach’s traits and strengths will fit a different team build type. If you love running a ground and pound offense, don’t choose Dabo Sweeney or Lincoln Riley as your head coach. It won’t be a good fit. If you really get into college football lore, there’s something about wondering how Tim Tebow could do in a Ryan Day offense. That’s the fun of Ultimate Team—it allows for dream matchups and combinations.
Choose Your Path
Do you choose the technician or strategist with a proven record as your coach? Or do you choose the former player with the star power that attracts talent? It’d be a surprise if Deion Sanders were in College Football 26. He’d almost certainly be on the cover if he were. But even if some coaches get the Bill Belichick treatment, the real ones in the game will make Dynasty and Ultimate Team better.
Developing real assistant coaches has potential, too. If you’re anything like me, assistant coaches border on afterthought in Dynasty. That might change if it’s real names with real backgrounds. Immersion and realism just makes sports games more fun.
Are you optimistic about head coaches in College Football 26? We’ll find out more about the game as the rollout of features continues on the road to July 10.
