Louisville football has high expectations for the 2026 season, which means Jeff Brohm is under some pressure. Louisville had a top-five portal class this offseason and is returning some stars on offense and defense. Brohm has built one of the best rosters since arriving in Louisville, and for that reason, this team is likely ranked in the top 15 entering the 2026 season.
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With Louisville entering the 2026 season with high expectations, Brohm has a bit to prove, and ESPN makes that clear. ESPN's Max Lederman believes that the Cardinals' head coach actually has the most to prove this season, and it is time for Louisville to “make a meaningful jump.”
ESPN believes Jeff Brohm has the most to prove in 2026
Brohm took over Louisville in December of 2022 and had a massive first year in 2023. The Cards went to their first ACC Championship game, won 10 games, and it looked like this program was about to be the real deal in the ACC. However, since then, Louisville went 8-4 in consecutive seasons, and now Lederman believes Brohm has this team ready to make the jump, but now they just have to do it.
"With an intriguing newcomer under center in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz and stars returning on both sides of the ball in running back Isaac Brown and defensive lineman Clev Lubin, it's time for Brohm's Cardinals to make a meaningful jump, especially given how wide open the ACC race appears to be behind favorite Miami."Max Lederman
Louisville has won 28 games in the Cardinals' three seasons under Brohm, which is impressive, as it ranks second among Power Four teams without a CFP appearance. But it is just another sign that this program is on the verge of becoming CFP contenders; they just have to get over that hump.
Brohm has some impressive wins since he got to Louisville, including Notre Dame, Clemson, and Miami, but now the Cards have to put together a full season and try to compete not just for the ACC crown but also for the program's first berth in the College Football Playoffs.
Other coaches listed with the most to prove in the article included South Carolina’s Shane Beamer, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, LSU’s Lane Kiffin, Florida State’s Mike Norvell, and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer.
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For all the latest news and updates on Louisville football's 2025 season and recruiting, stay tuned.