The Best Quotes, Football and Otherwise, from FCS Players and Coaches During 2026 Media Days
· Yahoo Sports
August is here and college football is right around the corner. We can practically feel it in the air. FCS coaches and players gathered to share their thoughts on the upcoming season (amongst other things) over the last few weeks at various media days across the country. Here are some of the things they had to say:
“I never say that I came back, I always say that I never left.” – Chris Parson, Austin Peay
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When Chris Parson was asked at UAC Media Day why he decided to return with Austin Peay after a breakout year in 2025, the star signal caller was was quick to correct the notion that he came back and cited his teammates at coaches as a major reason why he chose to stay instead of transferring. He is expected to be one of the top FCS quarterbacks this year and the Governors are picked by several to be a playoff team in 2026 largely because of his decision to remain with the team heading into his senior year.
“It’s almost like you’re recruiting but you’re de-recruiting. I may not have all the answers. I’m not Nick Saban or Kirby Smart.”– Will Healy, ETSU
During SoCon Media Day, second-year ETSU head coach Will Healy was asked by The Bluebloods how he and his staff approach the challenge of getting the right guys for their culture in Johnson City out of the transfer portal with so little time to actually get to know most of the players. Healy’s answer was insightful and candid as he spoke about what he pitches to potential Buccaneers. He talked of the importance of players’ willingness to be held to a high standard at his program and the importance of figuring out what a prospect player is looking for when they come to East Tennessee State. Healy’s Bucs went 7-5 in his first season.
“It’s been busy. Between the wedding planning… which I shouldn’t say that I’m doing a whole lot of… she’s kind of taken the reins with that and I’m just trying to be agreeable.”– Jaxon Dailey, Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa quarterback Jaxon Dailey joked with reporters about what he’s been up to this summer. Dailey, who was named the starting quarterback for the Panthers, got engaged this offseason as he heads into his graduate season. While he is looking forward to wedding bells off the field, Dailey is also looking forward to being UNI’s full-time starter this fall. He got the gig for the last four matchups of 2025 and, in those contests, threw for 726 yards and five touchdowns. Dailey is hoping to get Northern Iowa back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. UNI was picked to finish seventh in the conference.
“There’s no doubt we probably lost the wrong two games last year… but Montana football’s not broken and my charge is to keep it on the path of improved success.” – Bobby Kennedy, Montana
First-year head coach Bobby Kennedy got candid about where the Grizzlies are and what his job is as they prepare for what is, in may ways, an extremely pivotal 2026 season. After going 13-2 last year and reaching the FCS semifinals but losing to rival Montana State twice down the stretch, UM faces a ton of questions sprinkled in with another heap of high expectations this year. Kennedy got promoted to the head coaching gig back in February when former head man Bobby Hauck stepped away and is no preparing for his first-ever season as a Division I head coach. Although he has not coached in a game yet, Kennedy has signed a four-year deal with Montana and there is a lot of excitement about his program as they move through the summer. The Griz were picked by both the media and the coaches to finish second in the Big Sky this year.
“’College Football’is too arcade-y. In that game you get the craziest passes, carries, catches… that’s not realistic. I want to play some real football so I’m playing ‘Madden’.”– Zarion Walters, North Carolina Central
NC Central defensive end Zarion Walters explained with great seriousness why he prefers Madden to College Football when it comes to video games. Watlers was interviewed alongside teammate Chance Peterson at MEAC Media Days in Baltimore. Walters will be a redshirt sophomore this fall and will be looking to build of a promising 2025 campaign that saw him rack up 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks as well as two PBUs. He should see an increased role for the Eagles defensive line. NCCU received one first place vote and was picked to finish second behind South Carolina State in the conference this year.
“This conference is definitely not the conference you want to cut your teeth or test drive or get your driving permit in because it’s big boy football in the biggest way.” – Jody Wright, Murray State
Racers head coach Jody Wright had high praise for the Missouri Valley Conference as he enters his third season. It’s no secret that Murray State has struggled greatly over the last few years since joining the league. In fact they’ve won just four games since hopping over from the Ohio Valley Conference in 2024 but it feels like a new day may be dawning for the program. Wright’s team won their first MVFC game if his tenure last fall, besting Indiana State in the season finale. The team will field some notable players this year as well including VMI transfer quarterback Collin Shannon. Still, it will be an uphill battle for the Racers as they look to once again navigate the loaded conference.