Game to kickoff at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 31 from University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium and will be televised on NFL Network
NEW YORK –– Jan. 16, 2026 –– The National Football League announced today the head coaches for the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, Clint Hurtt of the Philadelphia Eagles and Joel Thomas of the New Orleans Saints.
“This is an opportunity for two excellent coaches, Joel Thomas of the New Orleans Saints and Clint Hurtt of the Philadelphia Eagles, to take the reins as head coaches in leading their staffs and top football athletes in the Senior Bowl’s week-long evaluation of NFL prospects,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice president of football operations. “The Senior Bowl is not only a showcase for top football student-athletes, but also a wonderful opportunity for coaches that are nominated by their NFL clubs to further develop their skills and learn from one another.”
Hurtt recently completed his second season as the senior defensive assistant/defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (2024-25) after spending seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2017-23), including two as defensive coordinator. Prior to his NFL career, he spent 13 years coaching college football, including four years as defensive line coach at both Louisville (2010-13) and his alma mater, the University of Miami (2006-09), where he played defensive line and was a three-year letterman (1997, 1999-2000).
“We are thrilled to have Clint Hurtt as our head coach of the National Team in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl,” said Drew Fabianich, the executive director of the Panini Senior Bowl. “He is a highly regarded coach with a proven track record throughout his career. Clint will make a positive impact on his players and coaches during the week with his leadership and deep knowledge of the game. He will be a great mentor for the top prospects in the 2026 Draft.”
Thomas, a 25-year coaching veteran, returned to the New Orleans Saints in 2025 as associate head coach/running backs coach after previously spending nine seasons (2015-23) with the club. In 2024, he coached running backs for the New York Giants. Prior to the NFL, he spent 13 seasons as a running backs coach in the college ranks, including time with Washington (2009-12), Purdue (2006-08), his alma mater Idaho (2004-05) and Louisville (2002-03). Thomas played running back at Idaho (1993-98) where he holds school records for rushing yards and touchdowns and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
“It’s a great pleasure to have Joel Thomas as our head coach of the American Team in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl,” Fabianich said. “Joel is highly respected throughout the league because of his leadership, work ethic, and his knowledge of the game. He has the ability to connect with players and coaches which further strengthens his credentials as a rising star among NFL coaches. He will serve our players well in their preparation for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.”
This is the fourth year the Senior Bowl is implementing a “Coach Up” format in which NFL coordinators and assistant coaches are placed into elevated or different roles from the ones they currently hold with their respective clubs. Head coaches and general managers from all non-playoff teams and Wild Card round participants had the opportunity to nominate assistant coaches. Hurtt and Thomas were then selected by a group composed of league office executives and representatives from the General Managers Advisory Committee.
The Panini Senior Bowl, widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process, is the longest continuously running all-star game and has taken place in Mobile, Ala., for the previous 75 years. The 76th Senior Bowl will kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, Jan. 31, from the University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium and will be televised on NFL Network.
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@nfl.com
