FHSU Athletics
TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State Football was tabbed fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and fifth in the MIAA Preseason Media Poll, released on Monday (July 27) at 2026 MIAA Football Media Day. The Tigers are picked in the position they finished last year in the standings after tying for fourth with Central Missouri. The Tigers were 6-5 overall and 5-4 in the MIAA in 2025.
The polls look much like the 2025 MIAA standings. Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State tied for the MIAA regular season crown, both at 8-1 in conference play, and each was picked No. 1 in one of the polls. Pittsburg State was the top pick of the coaches, while Northwest Missouri State was the top pick of the media.
Fort Hays State tied Central Missouri in the standings for the second straight year, both finishing at 5-4 in the MIAA in 2025. The Tigers and Mules tied for third place in 2024 at 6-3. Central Oklahoma was the only team between the tie between NWMSU and PSU and the tie between FHSU and UCM in the standings last year. UCO was picked third in both polls, while FHSU was fourth in the coaches poll and fifth in the media poll, and UCM was fourth in the media poll and fifth in the coaches poll.
Fort Hays State returns six of its regular starters from the 2025 season on defense, but just two on offense. Defense was the strong point of the Tigers last year, ranking fourth in scoring defense in the MIAA and fifth in total defense. Four of the six returning starters on defense were All-MIAA selections in 2025, which includes Gaven Haselhorst (DE), Parrish Terry (DE), Michael Polley (DB), and Matthew McBride (CB).
For the third-straight year, Fort Hays State will open with Angelo State, but this time on the road after hosting the Rams for two years in a row. The season opener will be on Thursday, August 27 in San Angelo, Texas. The Tigers will have six home games throughout the 2026 regular season, which includes two in September, three in October, and one in November.
Fort Hays State's home opener will be a non-conference contest with CSU Pueblo on Thursday, September 3. FHSU knocked off CSU Pueblo in Colorado last year when the Thunderwolves were ranked No. 5 in the nation. In conference play, FHSU will play host to Pittsburg State, Missouri Southern, Northwest Missouri State, Washburn, and Emporia State this year.
The Tigers enter their 15th season under head coach Chris Brown, who is now just five wins shy of 100 in his career. The Tigers are 95-63 overall in his tenure.
Below are the MIAA Football Preseason Polls.
2026 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
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
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