Matt Fortuna
@mattfortuna.bsky.social
Subscribe to The Inside Zone ✍️ Subscribe to The Independent 🎙️ Adjunct: DePaul. Past: ESPN, The Athletic, FWAA President
Sources: Notre Dame DBs coach/defensive pass game coordinator Mike Mickens is leaving the Irish for a similar role with the Baltimore Ravens.
Mickens, the lone holdover from Brian Kelly’s staff, helped turn ND’s secondary into one of the nation’s top units.
Mickens, the lone holdover from Brian Kelly’s staff, helped turn ND’s secondary into one of the nation’s top units.
January 26, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Sources: Notre Dame DBs coach/defensive pass game coordinator Mike Mickens is leaving the Irish for a similar role with the Baltimore Ravens.
Mickens, the lone holdover from Brian Kelly’s staff, helped turn ND’s secondary into one of the nation’s top units.
Mickens, the lone holdover from Brian Kelly’s staff, helped turn ND’s secondary into one of the nation’s top units.
The Titans, a professional football organization, fired Mike Vrabel to hire Brian Callahan.
January 25, 2026 at 11:16 PM
The Titans, a professional football organization, fired Mike Vrabel to hire Brian Callahan.
Decent view of Pat Coogan here at Franklin’s Public House for the Indiana championship parade
January 24, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Decent view of Pat Coogan here at Franklin’s Public House for the Indiana championship parade
Curt Cignetti to the Washington Post in 2022: “Our goal is to play in the College Football Playoff.”
“Look, if they’re going to expand the playoff field to 12, I got to believe there’s going to be a sixth spot for the highest-ranked non-Power 5 school.” www.insidezonemf.com/p/fortuna-fi...
“Look, if they’re going to expand the playoff field to 12, I got to believe there’s going to be a sixth spot for the highest-ranked non-Power 5 school.” www.insidezonemf.com/p/fortuna-fi...
Fortuna Files: Indiana is the new king of college football. What’s that mean for everyone else?
Looking closer at the numbers to see how Indiana got here, how others can do the same, and why Notre Dame could be extremely well-positioned to make a run in 2026.
www.insidezonemf.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Curt Cignetti to the Washington Post in 2022: “Our goal is to play in the College Football Playoff.”
“Look, if they’re going to expand the playoff field to 12, I got to believe there’s going to be a sixth spot for the highest-ranked non-Power 5 school.” www.insidezonemf.com/p/fortuna-fi...
“Look, if they’re going to expand the playoff field to 12, I got to believe there’s going to be a sixth spot for the highest-ranked non-Power 5 school.” www.insidezonemf.com/p/fortuna-fi...
Sources: Oklahoma is set to hire Illinois deputy AD/COO Roger Denny to become its next athletic director.
Denny has been with the Illini since 2021, after working in the legal world in St. Louis. He succeeds Joe Castiglione, who has been the Sooners’ AD since 1998.
Denny has been with the Illini since 2021, after working in the legal world in St. Louis. He succeeds Joe Castiglione, who has been the Sooners’ AD since 1998.
January 23, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Sources: Oklahoma is set to hire Illinois deputy AD/COO Roger Denny to become its next athletic director.
Denny has been with the Illini since 2021, after working in the legal world in St. Louis. He succeeds Joe Castiglione, who has been the Sooners’ AD since 1998.
Denny has been with the Illini since 2021, after working in the legal world in St. Louis. He succeeds Joe Castiglione, who has been the Sooners’ AD since 1998.
CFP executive director Rich Clark:
January 23, 2026 at 5:11 PM
CFP executive director Rich Clark:
Notre Dame releases its 2026 schedule:
Sept. 6: Wisconsin (in Green Bay)
Sept: 12: Rice
Sept. 19: Michigan State
Sept. 26: at Purdue
Oct. 3: at UNC
Oct. 10: Stanford
Oct. 17: at BYU
Oct. 31: at Navy (in Foxborough)
Nov. 7: Miami
Nov. 14: BC
Nov. 21: SMU
Nov. 28: at Syracuse
Sept. 6: Wisconsin (in Green Bay)
Sept: 12: Rice
Sept. 19: Michigan State
Sept. 26: at Purdue
Oct. 3: at UNC
Oct. 10: Stanford
Oct. 17: at BYU
Oct. 31: at Navy (in Foxborough)
Nov. 7: Miami
Nov. 14: BC
Nov. 21: SMU
Nov. 28: at Syracuse
January 23, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Notre Dame releases its 2026 schedule:
Sept. 6: Wisconsin (in Green Bay)
Sept: 12: Rice
Sept. 19: Michigan State
Sept. 26: at Purdue
Oct. 3: at UNC
Oct. 10: Stanford
Oct. 17: at BYU
Oct. 31: at Navy (in Foxborough)
Nov. 7: Miami
Nov. 14: BC
Nov. 21: SMU
Nov. 28: at Syracuse
Sept. 6: Wisconsin (in Green Bay)
Sept: 12: Rice
Sept. 19: Michigan State
Sept. 26: at Purdue
Oct. 3: at UNC
Oct. 10: Stanford
Oct. 17: at BYU
Oct. 31: at Navy (in Foxborough)
Nov. 7: Miami
Nov. 14: BC
Nov. 21: SMU
Nov. 28: at Syracuse
NFL coaching cycle:
FILLED:
Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
Ravens: Jesse Minter
Titans: Robert Saleh
Giants: John Harbaugh
Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
OPEN:
Bills
Browns
Steelers
Raiders
Cardinals
FILLED:
Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
Ravens: Jesse Minter
Titans: Robert Saleh
Giants: John Harbaugh
Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
OPEN:
Bills
Browns
Steelers
Raiders
Cardinals
January 22, 2026 at 10:43 PM
NFL coaching cycle:
FILLED:
Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
Ravens: Jesse Minter
Titans: Robert Saleh
Giants: John Harbaugh
Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
OPEN:
Bills
Browns
Steelers
Raiders
Cardinals
FILLED:
Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
Ravens: Jesse Minter
Titans: Robert Saleh
Giants: John Harbaugh
Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
OPEN:
Bills
Browns
Steelers
Raiders
Cardinals
NEW: The Miami-Indiana national championship game drew 30.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched college football game in 11 years.
The previous high: The 2014-15 Ohio State-Oregon national title game (33.9 million)
This year's title game was up 8 million over last year.
The previous high: The 2014-15 Ohio State-Oregon national title game (33.9 million)
This year's title game was up 8 million over last year.
January 22, 2026 at 10:09 PM
NEW: The Miami-Indiana national championship game drew 30.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched college football game in 11 years.
The previous high: The 2014-15 Ohio State-Oregon national title game (33.9 million)
This year's title game was up 8 million over last year.
The previous high: The 2014-15 Ohio State-Oregon national title game (33.9 million)
This year's title game was up 8 million over last year.
Sources: Penn State will now host Maine in 2027.
This replaces Delaware for PSU. When that game was scheduled in 2018, Delaware was still in the FCS.
The Blue Hens and Nittany Lions worked together to find a replacement, with Delaware covering the difference in guarantee cost.
This replaces Delaware for PSU. When that game was scheduled in 2018, Delaware was still in the FCS.
The Blue Hens and Nittany Lions worked together to find a replacement, with Delaware covering the difference in guarantee cost.
Illinois will host Delaware on Sept. 11, 2027.
This will replace Delaware's game at Penn State, which the two schools have mutually agreed to cancel.
This will replace Delaware's game at Penn State, which the two schools have mutually agreed to cancel.
January 22, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Sources: Penn State will now host Maine in 2027.
This replaces Delaware for PSU. When that game was scheduled in 2018, Delaware was still in the FCS.
The Blue Hens and Nittany Lions worked together to find a replacement, with Delaware covering the difference in guarantee cost.
This replaces Delaware for PSU. When that game was scheduled in 2018, Delaware was still in the FCS.
The Blue Hens and Nittany Lions worked together to find a replacement, with Delaware covering the difference in guarantee cost.
Illinois will host Delaware on Sept. 11, 2027.
This will replace Delaware's game at Penn State, which the two schools have mutually agreed to cancel.
This will replace Delaware's game at Penn State, which the two schools have mutually agreed to cancel.
January 21, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Illinois will host Delaware on Sept. 11, 2027.
This will replace Delaware's game at Penn State, which the two schools have mutually agreed to cancel.
This will replace Delaware's game at Penn State, which the two schools have mutually agreed to cancel.
Sources: Northwestern CRO Jesse Marks is returning to Miami to be the Hurricanes’ CRO.
Marks, a Miami native and U of Miami graduate, was instrumental in overseeing Northwestern’s $850M rebuilt Ryan Field and in implementing the lakeside Martin Stadium, where football played the last two seasons.
Marks, a Miami native and U of Miami graduate, was instrumental in overseeing Northwestern’s $850M rebuilt Ryan Field and in implementing the lakeside Martin Stadium, where football played the last two seasons.
January 21, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Sources: Northwestern CRO Jesse Marks is returning to Miami to be the Hurricanes’ CRO.
Marks, a Miami native and U of Miami graduate, was instrumental in overseeing Northwestern’s $850M rebuilt Ryan Field and in implementing the lakeside Martin Stadium, where football played the last two seasons.
Marks, a Miami native and U of Miami graduate, was instrumental in overseeing Northwestern’s $850M rebuilt Ryan Field and in implementing the lakeside Martin Stadium, where football played the last two seasons.
Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan announce that their next two meetings will take place at Detroit's Ford Field.
The game will be mid-week in November, per Motor City MACtion decree.
The game will be mid-week in November, per Motor City MACtion decree.
January 21, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan announce that their next two meetings will take place at Detroit's Ford Field.
The game will be mid-week in November, per Motor City MACtion decree.
The game will be mid-week in November, per Motor City MACtion decree.
The Big Ten has announced that it will release its 2026 conference schedule next Tuesday (Jan. 27) at 5:30 ET on BTN.
Just like last year, the league has announced the date for its championship game rematch:
Ohio State at Indiana will be on Oct. 17.
Just like last year, the league has announced the date for its championship game rematch:
Ohio State at Indiana will be on Oct. 17.
January 20, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The Big Ten has announced that it will release its 2026 conference schedule next Tuesday (Jan. 27) at 5:30 ET on BTN.
Just like last year, the league has announced the date for its championship game rematch:
Ohio State at Indiana will be on Oct. 17.
Just like last year, the league has announced the date for its championship game rematch:
Ohio State at Indiana will be on Oct. 17.
Fernando Mendoza, Pat Coogan, Aiden Fisher, Mikail Kamara and Curt Cignetti the day (hours?) after winning it all.
January 20, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Fernando Mendoza, Pat Coogan, Aiden Fisher, Mikail Kamara and Curt Cignetti the day (hours?) after winning it all.
The first thing Pat Coogan did when he saw me? Praise Marcus Freeman.
“Immediately what comes to mind is what Freeman always said: It’s gotta be that way. I’ve learned so much from him but it’s true.”
Coogan came through the other side of hard as a champ www.insidezonemf.com/p/business-f...
“Immediately what comes to mind is what Freeman always said: It’s gotta be that way. I’ve learned so much from him but it’s true.”
Coogan came through the other side of hard as a champ www.insidezonemf.com/p/business-f...
Business finished: Pat Coogan completes improbable journey with a national title
The charismatic Indiana center goes 1-on-1 with The Inside Zone after winning it all
www.insidezonemf.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:02 AM
The first thing Pat Coogan did when he saw me? Praise Marcus Freeman.
“Immediately what comes to mind is what Freeman always said: It’s gotta be that way. I’ve learned so much from him but it’s true.”
Coogan came through the other side of hard as a champ www.insidezonemf.com/p/business-f...
“Immediately what comes to mind is what Freeman always said: It’s gotta be that way. I’ve learned so much from him but it’s true.”
Coogan came through the other side of hard as a champ www.insidezonemf.com/p/business-f...
Asked Pat Coogan if he has any words tonight for his people at Franklin’s Public House and on the South Side of Chicago.
He smiled.
“Get drunk.”
He smiled.
“Get drunk.”
January 20, 2026 at 5:15 AM
Asked Pat Coogan if he has any words tonight for his people at Franklin’s Public House and on the South Side of Chicago.
He smiled.
“Get drunk.”
He smiled.
“Get drunk.”
Six TDs in this game. All on the ground. (In spirit, at least.)
Miami just won't go away.
Miami just won't go away.
January 20, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Six TDs in this game. All on the ground. (In spirit, at least.)
Miami just won't go away.
Miami just won't go away.
Cig called WHAT on fourth-and-4?!?!
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Cig called WHAT on fourth-and-4?!?!
January 20, 2026 at 3:35 AM
End of 3.
QB play: Dead even.
QB play: Dead even.
January 20, 2026 at 3:20 AM
End of 3.
QB play: Dead even.
QB play: Dead even.
Isaiah Jones is the rare Indiana upperclassman who has been a Hoosier since Day 1.
The redshirt junior linebacker stuck it out through a 7-17 record and a coaching change in his first two years.
For him to score a TD in the national title game is something special.
The redshirt junior linebacker stuck it out through a 7-17 record and a coaching change in his first two years.
For him to score a TD in the national title game is something special.
January 20, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Isaiah Jones is the rare Indiana upperclassman who has been a Hoosier since Day 1.
The redshirt junior linebacker stuck it out through a 7-17 record and a coaching change in his first two years.
For him to score a TD in the national title game is something special.
The redshirt junior linebacker stuck it out through a 7-17 record and a coaching change in his first two years.
For him to score a TD in the national title game is something special.
Indiana with the perhaps the smoothest punt block and TD you'll ever see. Man did the Hoosiers make that look routine.
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
January 20, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Indiana with the perhaps the smoothest punt block and TD you'll ever see. Man did the Hoosiers make that look routine.
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
Indiana with the perhaps the smoothest punt block and TD you'll ever see. Man did the Hoosiers make that look routine.
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
January 20, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Indiana with the perhaps the smoothest punt block and TD you'll ever see. Man did the Hoosiers make that look routine.
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
Mikail Kamara on the block, Isaiah Jones on the TD.
Indiana 17, Miami 7
Riley Nowakowski, a one-time Wisconsin walk-on, shows off those state roots with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone on third-and-goal.
January 20, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Riley Nowakowski, a one-time Wisconsin walk-on, shows off those state roots with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone on third-and-goal.