10/26/2026 12:30:00 PM | Football
Deal paves way for program's all-time wins leader to continue building in East Texas
"This extension reflects our tremendous confidence in Colby Carthel and the future of SFA Football," remarked McBroom. "Colby has built a championship culture through outstanding coaching staffs, player development and retention, and a genuine connection to our community. Our recent success is a testament to that foundation, but we're even more excited about what's ahead. With a new fieldhouse and football stadium on the horizon, expanding academic opportunities, a thriving university and a passionate fan base, the future of SFA Football has never been brighter. We believe in Coach Carthel and I look forward to continuing to work together to continue the upward trajectory of Lumberjack Football."
Carthel, who is in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach and 27th overall, has the Lumberjacks in the midst of a program record start. The 2026 Jacks are the only squad in the 100-year history of the program to start a campaign 8-0. SFA is riding Division I football's longest active regular season win streak at 18 games, has won 12 straight inside Homer Bryce Stadium, the second home winning streak of 12+ games in Carthel's tenure, and has won 13-consecutive Southland Conference games, the third-longest streak in league history.Â
"We are deeply grateful for the vision, hard work, and unwavering support of President Weaver and Michael McBroom, as their leadership and commitment to elevating SFA Athletics is truly beyond measure," noted Carthel. "More than celebrating past accomplishments, this extension signals an exciting time for this program, as the best days of Lumberjack Football are still ahead!"
The Jacks were recently selected No. 4 in the FCS Committee's Top 10 rankings and are ranked No. 2 nationally in both major FCS polls with first-place votes in each. It marks the 18th-straight week that SFA has earned a national ranking, the sixth as a consensus top 10 team in the country and it's the highest such weekly ranking in over 15 years.ÂThe successes this fall are coming off the heels of a program-changing campaign a season ago. Under the Texan's leadership, the 2025 Jacks captured the program's fifth SLC title and first since 2010, while making the program's ninth FCS postseason appearance. That title, the second under Carthel after the Jacks claimed the 2022 WAC title, came behind the program's first eight-win conference slate and first perfect finish in league play in 99 seasons. The Jacks reached double-digit wins for the fifth time in program history, and the 11 victories last fall are the most since the '95 campaign and only the third 11+ win season since 1923. SFA defeated Abilene Christian 41-34 in the second round of the FCS playoffs in the first non-opening round home playoff game inside Homer Bryce Stadium since 1989 and the latest home game on the calendar (Dec. 6) in program history.Â
McBroom added, "Colby, Sarah and their boys represent exactly the kind of people we want leading and representing SFA Athletics. Their commitment to Nacogdoches and East Texas extends well beyond the football field. As business owners, parents and community volunteers, they've invested themselves in the people and future of this region. That kind of genuine connection matters, and we're incredibly grateful for everything the Carthel family brings to our university and community. We're excited that they'll continue to be part of the Lumberjack family for years to come."
Carthel has guided SFA through multiple conference transitions, including its move to the WAC, a season in the United Athletic Conference and its return to the Southland Conference in 2024. His program rebuilding effort gained momentum during the pandemic-altered 2020 campaign, when SFA finished 6-4 against an FBS-heavy schedule. The Lumberjacks followed with an 8-4 season in 2021, earning their first FCS playoff appearance since 2014. The breakthrough culminated in 2022, when SFA secured its first Western Athletic Conference championship with a 24-21 road victory over Abilene Christian in the season finale. Following a challenging 2023 campaign, the Lumberjacks rebounded to finish 7-5 overall and 4-3 in the program's first season back in the Southland. SFA punctuated that season with a 32-19 victory over No. 12 Abilene Christian at Homer Bryce Stadium, the first win in the Jacks' current home winning streak.Â
CARTHEL BY THE NUMBERS (Since 2019)52 - program-record win total
31Â -Â total home wins; .775 home winning percentage (both school records)
26Â -Â total wins since SFA's return to Southland Conference in 2024
16 -Â total home wins since start of 2024 season
11 - victories in 2025; the most since 1995 and only the third season of 11+ wins
8 - seasons as the second-longest tenured head coach in program historyÂ
5 -Â completed winning seasons (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)
3 -Â unbeaten home seasons (2020, 2021, 2025)
2 - FCS playoff appearances (2021, 2025)
2 -Â conference championships: 2025 SLC title and 2022 Western Athletic Conference title
2 - Eddie Robinson Award finalist selections (2021, 2025)
1 - Southland Conference Coach of the Year (2025)
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