Stephen F. Austin has extended football coach Colby Carthel’s contract through the 2031 campaign, backing him as the Lumberjacks deliver the strongest start in program history. SFA is 8-0 in 2026 and enters the extension announcement amid a 2025 Southland Conference title and continued national prominence.

By the Numbers
  • 18 — consecutive regular-season wins, the longest active streak in Division I football.
  • 13 — straight Southland Conference wins, the third-longest streak in league history.
  • No. 2 — SFA’s ranking in both major FCS polls, with first-place votes in each.
  • 52 — program-record wins under Carthel since 2019.
  • 2 — conference titles under Carthel: the 2022 WAC championship and 2025 Southland title.
Yes, But

The extension reflects SFA’s confidence in Carthel, but it arrives while the team’s 2026 season is still unfolding. The announcement does not disclose the contract’s financial terms.

State of Play
  • SFA is undefeated at 8-0, the first team in the program’s 100-year history to open a season that way.
  • The Lumberjacks are ranked No. 2 in both major FCS polls and No. 4 in the FCS Committee’s Top 10.
  • The university says a new fieldhouse and football stadium are on the horizon.
What’s Next

Carthel will continue leading SFA through the 2031 campaign as the Lumberjacks pursue further success and prepare for planned facility upgrades.

Bottom Line

SFA is pairing a long-term commitment to its coach with a historic run on the field—signaling that the program expects its current momentum to last.