ECU Tabbed Sixth in Football Preseason Coaches' Poll, Prepares for GAC Media Day
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference released its 2026 Football Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday, with East Central University selected to finish sixth in the league standings ahead of the upcoming season.
The preseason poll was unveiled ahead of GAC Kickoff 2026, the conference's annual preseason media event. This year's kickoff will be an in-person format and will be held over two days. Tuesday's session took place at the Oaklawn Events Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas, while Wednesday's session will be held at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
GAC Kickoff 2026 will be streamed live on the conference's YouTube page and archived for on-demand viewing. ECU is scheduled to appear on Wednesday, July 22, at 2:20 p.m., with head coach
John Litrenta joined by quarterback
Sergio Kennedy and linebacker
Caden Pickens.
Defending NCAA Division II national finalist Harding claimed the top spot in the preseason rankings, earning all 11 eligible first-place votes. Ouachita Baptist received the remaining first-place vote to secure the No. 2 position, while Southern Arkansas and Henderson State followed in third and fourth, respectively. Arkansas Tech rounded out the top five, followed by East Central in sixth.
Southwestern Oklahoma State was tabbed seventh, with Southeastern Oklahoma State eighth. Arkansas-Monticello, Oklahoma Baptist, Southern Nazarene and Northwestern Oklahoma State completed the preseason poll.
The Tigers enter the 2026 campaign after posting a 6-6 overall record and a 6-5 mark in Great American Conference play last season, finishing with an appearance in the Inaugural First Americans Bowl. ECU also earned 23 All-GAC selections, placed 18 student-athletes on the GAC Academic Honor Roll, and produced one GAC Elite Scholar Athlete.
ECU football opens the 2026 season on the road against Ouachita Baptist on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The Tigers will then make their home debut the following week, welcoming Arkansas-Monticello to Koi Ishto Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 10, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
