Scott Satterfield enters his fourth season at Cincinnati following a 7-6 overall and 5-4 Big 12 campaign in 2025. Nic Cardwell and Pete Thomas take over as co-offensive coordinators, while Georgia Southern transfer J.C. French joins the program at quarterback following Brendan Sorsby’s departure. Cincinnati will feature a new-look backfield following the departure of Tawee Walker, with Zion Johnson returning and Louisiana transfer Zylan Perry joining the group. Cincinnati must replace its top six players in receiving production from last season, including Cyrus Allen, who led the Big 12 with 51 receptions and recorded 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 after all three started each of Cincinnati’s 13 games last season.

Nate Woody takes over as defensive coordinator. Cincinnati returns three of its top eleven tacklers from last season after losing four of its top five, including leading tackler Jake Golday. All three returning top-11 tacklers come from the linebacker group in Jonathan Thompson, Antwan Peek Jr., and Simeon Coleman. Marquaze Parker returns along 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 the kickoff- and punt-return games. Cincinnati enters 2026 with new coordinators on offense and defense and considerable personnel turnover at quarterback, running back, receiver, and throughout the defense.