C-N legend Ken Sparks tabbed for induction to NFF College Football Hall of Fame

January 15, 2026

RVING, Texas – Legendary former Carson-Newman head football coach Ken Sparks has been tabbed for induction into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the organization's 2026 class.
The announcement came on ESPN2 Wednesday afternoon during College Football Live.

The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Tickets are available at https://NFF2026.givesmart.com.

Sparks is the first person affiliated with Carson-Newman and the South Atlantic Conference to be included in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sparks announced his retirement on Nov. 14, 2016 before passing away after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer on March 29, 2017.

Full story via Carson-Newman Athletics here.