The 2026 NCAA college football season is fast approaching with N.C. Central University’s Eagles set to begin the season on Aug. 29 against the Texas Southern University Tigers for the first time in both schools’ history.
The Eagles were forced to make changes across the roster this offseason and endured the challenge of bringing in new assistant coaches. The question remains before the season begins, can the Eagles return to the top of the MEAC conference?
Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Eagles had finished in the top 2 of the MEAC conference every year until last season.
An 8-4 record landed the Eagles third place to finish the 2025 season, the lowest finish during the Coach Oliver era.
This season the Eagles look to find their way back to the top of the conference and potentially an appearance in the Celebration Bowl.
Head coach of the Eagles, Trei Oliver, is coming into this season with five new coaches added to his staff.
New offensive coordinator, Chris Barnette, joins the team after a two year stint at Alabama State University where they were the best offense in the SWAC conference last season.
Former NFL linebacker Tommy Thigpen will serve as the new defensive coordinator with an extensive coaching background including at UNC-Chapel Hill, Auburn University, University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, University of Illinois and Bowling Green State University.
Grayson Reed is set to be the new offensive line coach coming from the University of Southern California and Elijah Coleman will be the new cornerback coach after three years at Howard.
NCCU alumni Omar Beasley was named Director of Speed Development.
The Eagles roster on both sides of the field also saw a major overhaul. Last season’s star quarterback Walker Harris and many other key offensive players will not be back for the 2026 season. The Eagles top wide receiver, running back and offensive lineman had to be replaced along with the entire starting defensive line and top linebacker from last season.
NCCU is facing a new challenge they’ve never seen before under Coach Oliver but despite the changes, the Eagles were still voted to finish second in the MEAC in preseason polls.
Returning senior wide receiver Chance Peterson was also voted 2026 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Five Eagles total made the Preseason All-MEAC First Team with five others making the Second Team.
Expectations remain high for the Eagles regardless of feeling like a brand new team to long time fans. Even still, NCCU will continue to be one of the better coached teams across HBCU Football under Coach Oliver.
Some of the big games to get excited about this season include the 98th Aggie-Eagle Classic against long time rival North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University on Sept. 12th.
The Eagles will travel to Greenville, N.C. on Sept. 26th to take on American Conference powerhouse Eastern Carolina University.
The Eagles only nationally televised game of the season will be against their first conference opponent Delaware State University on Oct. 23rd. Most NCCU games will be streamed on ESPN+ with the exception of the games against TSU, Elizabeth City State, Campbell University, and Delaware State.
NCCU begins their season on the road against Texas Southern on Aug. 29th, streaming on HBCU GO.
