The CIAA officially kicks off the 2026 football season Wednesday with its annual Football Media Day in Durham, where the conference will unveil its preseason predicted order of finish, preseason all-conference team and other news & notables.
NC Football News will provide updates throughout the day, including the preseason poll results, all-conference selections, breaking news, photos and key storylines.
Check back throughout the day as this page evolves with the latest news and observations from the CIAA’s premier preseason event.
CIAA Media Day Information
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. ET
Location: Durham, N.C.
Venue: Hilton Durham (3800 Hillsborough Road)
Participants: CIAA officials as well as coaches and players from all 11 member schools
JCSU Football is heading to CIAA Media Day! 🐂🏆 Head Coach Maurice Flowers, All-CIAA OL of the Year Jamari Mason & Vince Hill Jr. represent the Bulls. July 15 | Durham, NC | 10am. One Team. One City. #CIAAMediaDay #GoldenBulls pic.twitter.com/hExGsmHhdc — Johnson C. Smith U. (@JCSUniversity) July 10, 2026
CIAA Media Day Live Updates & What We’re Watching
Updates from CIAA Media Day will be added throughout the day. Here is what we’re watching heading into the highly anticipated event:
Will Johnson C. Smith be picked to repeat?
The defending champs have reloaded for another run at the CIAA title. National HBCU media have picked JCSU as the team to beat across all of D2 Black College Football. Will the coaches agree or will a recent champ like Virginia Union start on top?
What will the expanded championship weekend format look like?
The CIAA has already announced it plans to change the format of its championship weekend. Reports suggest the league is adding a third-place game alongside the title contest to give additional teams a potential playoff-resume boost. League officials plan to officially unveil their plans at media day.
How will coaches slot North Carolina’s other CIAA teams?
Fayetteville State would have been in a third-place game a year ago had that been an option then. Winston-Salem State has a new coach (alum Tory Woodbury) and renewed passion to contend again. Elizabeth City State won its last three games to finish 2025. How will that translate into preseason predictions for these schools, Livingstone and Shaw?
Which players will start on the CIAA all-conference watch list?
The transfer portal and graduations have altered a lot of rosters. Which players are generating the most preseason buzz and are expected to lead the way later this fall?
Lineups are set
Each school will take center stage during a portion of the event. The following coaches and players are scheduled to represent their respective schools during that time.
Bluefield State University
Head Coach: Davon Morgan
Student Athletes: Brandon Wiley and Kamaree Wells
Bowie State University
Head Coach: Dawson Odums
Student Athletes: Deontae Roscoe and Maximus Jones
Elizabeth City State University
Head Coach: Adrian Jones
Student Athletes: Toriono Combs and Jaevon Branch
Fayetteville State University
Head Coach: Richard Hayes
Student Athletes: Joseph Woodard and Malachi Jones
Johnson C. Smith University
Head Coach: Maurice Flowers
Student Athletes: Jamari Mason and Vince Hill
Lincoln University (Pa.)
Head Coach: Frank Turner
Student Athletes: Seth Ulett and Charles Thompson
Livingstone College
Head Coach: Sean Gilbert
Student Athletes: Brandon “Manny” Moss and Davyn Reid
Shaw University
Head Coach: Lamar Manigo
Student Athletes: Alexander Marsh and Keyshaun Powell
Virginia State University
Head Coach: Dr. Henry Frazier, III
Student Athletes: Tyleek McCoy and KJ McNeil
Virginia Union University
Head Coach: Alvin Parker
Student Athletes: Christian Myles Solomon and Ahmad Ross
Winston Salem State University
Head Coach: Tory Woodbury
Student Athletes: Chancellor Smith and Jayden Grimes
Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
Coming soon. Johnson C. Smith is the defending champion after beating Virginia Union in the 2025 championship game last November.
Preseason All-CIAA Team
Coming soon.
Photos from Media Day
Coming soon.
News & Notes
Coming soon.
Five Things We Noticed
Coming soon.
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