TOPEKA —The Pittsburg State University football team garnered the preseason No. 1 ranking in the 2026 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coaches Poll released Monday (July 27) at MIAA Football Media Day hosted on the Washburn University campus.

The defending MIAA Co-Champion Gorillas received seven first-place votes from the MIAA coaches to land atop the poll. Northwest Missouri, which shared the 2025 MIAA title with Pitt State secured the remaining three first place votes to land at No. 2. The Gorillas posted a 27-14 win over the Bearcats in the regular season finale last year at Children's Mercy Park at Kansas City, Kan., to earn the share of the conference crown.

Central Oklahoma, Fort Hays State and Central Missouri rounded out the top five programs.

In the MIAA Media Poll, NWMSU received 19 of 30 first-place votes cast to take the No. 1 spot over Pitt State. The Gorillas compiled 10 first-place votes to settle at No. 2. UCO (one 1^st place vote), UCM and FHSU were tabbed third through fifth.

Pitt State enters the 2026 season with high aspirations once again following a 10-3 campaign a year ago. The Gorillas made their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Division II national playoffs after claiming their third conference crown in four seasons (2022, 2023, 2025).
 
Third-year head coach Tom Anthony welcomes back another talented squad that includes eight returning starters (five offense, three defense) and five players who garnered All-MIAA honors a year ago.
 
Senior placekicker Austin Schmitt was selected the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year in 2025, while redshirt senior wide receiver Kuron Parchmon joined him on the first-team All-MIAA squad. Redshirt senior wide receiver Greyson Holbert and redshirt junior tight end Luke Niggemann were third-team All-MIAA picks a year ago, while redshirt senior defensive end Ely Wilcox garnered honorable mention All-MIA recognition. Schmitt also received honorable mention All-America accolades from the Don Hansen Football Committee.
 
Overall, 39 letterwinners seek to provide veteran leadership to blend with a talented group of newcomers who are set to join the program for the 2026 campaign.

The Gorillas report for preseason camp Aug. 2; and Pitt State opens the 2026 campaign by hosting defending national champion Ferris State on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. (CDT) at Carnie Smith Stadium.

 
2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
 1. Pittsburg State (7)
 2. Northwest Missouri (3)
 3. Central Oklahoma
 4. Fort Hays State
 5. Central Missouri
 6. Emporia State
 7. Nebraska Kearney
 8. Washburn
 9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern

( ) – First-Place Votes
Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team

 
2026 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
 1. Northwest Missouri (19)
 2. Pittsburg State (10)
 3. Central Oklahoma (1)
 4. Central Missouri
 5. Fort Hays State
 6. Emporia State
 7. Nebraska Kearney
 8. Washburn
 9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern

( ) – First-Place Votes