Deion Sanders and Bill Belichick are notably absent from College Football 26 due to personal decisions regarding their likeness rights and control over their image.
Bill Belichick's exclusion aligns with his long-standing pattern of opting out of video game appearances. During his NFL coaching tenure, Belichick famously declined to join the NFL Coaches Association, which controls licensing rights for games like Madden. As a result, he has often been replaced by fictional avatars in EA titles. His preference for privacy and independence extends to College Football 26, where he similarly chose not to be included.
Deion Sanders' absence is more surprising given his previous involvement with EA Sports, particularly in Madden. However, for College Football 26, EA required individual agreements from coaches to use their likenesses, and Sanders opted not to sign on. This decision appears to be about maintaining control over his brand and choosing when and how to engage with media, rather than a snub against the game.
In the game, both coaches are represented by fictional stand-in characters: “Hector Luna” replaces Belichick at North Carolina, and “Kirk Patrick” substitutes for Sanders at Colorado. These replacements maintain team functionality while respecting the coaches’ decisions.
For players diving deep into Dynasty or Ultimate Team modes, tools like buy NCAA 26 Coins allow for quicker team-building and smoother progression—even when navigating rosters affected by licensing gaps. Similarly, picking up cheap CFB 26 Coins can help fast-track upgrades for competitive edge.
The absence of Belichick and Sanders reflects their personal choices regarding licensing and branding, with Belichick’s exclusion consistent with a long history of opting out, and Sanders exercising control over his participation on his own terms.