Indiana center Pat Coogan is set to play in the 2025-26 national championship game on Monday. It’ll be a historic feat.
Last year, Coogan was the starting center for Notre Dame when the Irish ripped through the 2024 College Football Playoff and squared off against Ohio State for the national title.Â
After the 2024 season, Coogan transferred to Bloomington, where he’s been the starting center this season.
Coogan will be the first known NCAA football player to start in a meaningful role in consecutive national championship games with different teams.
It’s an incredible feat, aided by a historically constrictive system. Until recently, college athletes often had to sit out a year if they wanted to transfer, making consecutive championship appearances on different teams a virtually impossible feat. The only major exception was for graduate transfers.
The transfer portal has changed all that, and Coogan is the first one to make history like this.Â
But even if you open up the parameters to non-consecutive championship appearances, or players who may not have made a major team impact in both cases, the list is still quite short.
Regardless of the circumstances, it’s just very difficult to end up with two different programs that play for a national championship.
College Football Players Who Reached the National Championship With Two Different Teams
| Player | First Team (Season) | Second Team (Season) |
|---|---|---|
| Cam Newton | Florida (2008) | Auburn (2010) |
| Jake Coker | Florida State (2013) | Alabama (2015) |
| Derion Kendrick | Clemson (2018) | Georgia (2021) |
| Jameson Williams | Ohio State (2020) | Alabama (2021) |
| Marcel Brooks | LSU (2019) | TCU (2022) |
| Pat Coogan | Notre Dame (2024) | Indiana (2025) |
College Football Betting at BetMGM
BetMGM is the premier online sportsbook for college football betting each year.
From offseason futures like national championship odds and win totals to in-season betting on moneylines, spreads, and over/under totals, there are tons of betting opportunities for everyone.
If you don’t have an account, register today with BetMGM’s welcome offer. Once you have an account, check for daily sports betting promos.
The content provided in this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of BetMGM LLC. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.
