Cincinnati enters 2026 with major offensive turnover after a 7-6 overall and 5-4 Big 12 campaign in 2025. Scott Satterfield begins his fourth season at Cincinnati, with Nic Cardwell and Pete Thomas taking over as co-offensive coordinators and Georgia Southern transfer J.C. French taking over as the starting quarterback following Brendan Sorsby’s departure. The Bearcats feature a new-look backfield after Tawee Walker’s departure, with Cole Tabb emerging as a leading option alongside returning back Zion Johnson, Gi’Bran Payne, and Louisiana transfer Zylan Perry. Cincinnati must replace its top six receivers from last season, including Cyrus Allen, who led the Big 12 with 51 receptions and 13 touchdown catches. Isaiah Johnson returns in the receiving corps, while Oklahoma transfer J.V. Gibson and Central Arkansas transfer Malachi Henry join the group. The offensive line returns Joe Cotton, Evan Tengesdahl, and Taren Tyo, all of whom started each of Cincinnati’s 13 games last season.

Cincinnati also faces major defensive turnover as Nate Woody takes over as defensive coordinator. The Bearcats return three of their top eleven tacklers from last season after losing four of their top five, including leading tackler Jake Golday. All three returning top eleven tacklers are linebackers: Jonathan Thompson, Antwan Peek Jr., and Simeon Coleman. Marquaze Parker returns to the defensive line, while Northern Illinois transfers Jacob Finley and Jasper Beeler, and Bowling Green transfer M.J. Cannon, join the secondary. Woody will install a 3-4 defense after Cincinnati previously operated primarily from a 3-3-5 alignment.

Luke Paschall enters his second season as special teams coordinator. Stephen Rusnak returns at placekicker, while Max Fletcher returns at punter. Kent State transfer Cade Wolford joins the program with experience in both kickoff and punt returns. Cincinnati enters 2026 with new coordinators on offense and defense and major personnel turnover at quarterback, running back, receiver, and throughout the defense, creating a season defined by change and adjustment.