
If you're looking to earn more time on the field in College Football 26's Road to Glory (RTG) mode, you'll need to earn your coach's trust and keep them satisfied. Depending on the background you selected during RTG's setup—whether as a standout prospect or a lesser-known underdog—your journey to securing playing time can be easy or incredibly challenging. Elite and blue-chip recruits will find it easier to get opportunities, but players starting out as contributors or sleepers will need to prove themselves consistently. This guide outlines the best strategies to improve your Coach Trust and Coach Happiness so your player can finally shine on game day.
Improving Coach Happiness in RTG
Coach Happiness reflects how your coach views your behavior and performance on and off the field. Several factors influence this, including how you play in actual games, your results in weekly practices, your academic and leadership standing, and the choices you make in weekly life scenarios.

1. Strong Game Performance
When you get the chance to participate in games, it's essential that you make the most of it. Coaches notice players who produce results—whether it's making big plays, scoring, or avoiding mistakes. Poor decisions like turnovers or missed tackles will quickly lower your coach's opinion of you.
2. Weekly Practices
Each week, you're allowed to complete a practice session, which features various drills based on your position. How well you do in practice directly affects your Coach Happiness. Failing to earn a medal during practice will reduce your standing with the coach, while securing a silver or gold medal will give you a noticeable boost. If you're not getting game time, these practice sessions become your main opportunity to impress and should be taken seriously.
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3. GPA and Leadership
Off-field stats matter too. Using your weekly Energy in your agenda to invest in studying will increase your GPA. A higher GPA not only helps with academic success but also improves your coach's opinion of you. Similarly, dedicating time to develop your Leadership score will not only raise Coach Happiness but also grant you valuable team XP bonuses. It's wise to balance your Energy budget toward improving both GPA and Leadership to keep your coach consistently happy.
4. Life Scenarios
Throughout the season, you'll face various text-based events, or scenarios, which can impact your progress. These scenarios might include ethical dilemmas (e.g., cheating on a test), lifestyle decisions (e.g., partying before a game), or even quick quizzes from your coach about the playbook. Making smart choices in these moments not only protects your GPA and Leadership scores but also enhances your coach's view of you. Poor decisions, on the other hand, can negatively affect multiple areas at once.
Maintaining high Coach Happiness helps you build Coach Trust at a faster rate, which is essential for climbing the depth chart and ultimately getting more playtime.
Earning Coach Trust in RTG
Coach Trust determines your actual in-game opportunities. If you want to rise up the team ranks, building this metric is crucial.

1. Practice Matters—Even Simmed
You'll earn Coach Trust each week during practices. Even if you choose to simulate the practice, you'll still gain a portion of trust (displayed on the results screen). That said, performing the drills manually and doing well can give you significantly more trust each session. Strong performance here is one of the fastest ways to move up the ranks, especially when you're not yet getting meaningful game minutes.
2. Perform When It Counts
Every in-game snap is a chance to build trust. Whether you're rushing, passing, catching, or defending, doing your job well will lead to better stats and increased Coach Trust. Scoring points, gaining yards, completing passes, or making big plays on defense are all actions that boost your standing. Conversely, errors like fumbles, interceptions, and sacks can cause you to lose the trust you've built up.
3. Winning Helps
While your personal performance is most important, winning games when you're on the field contributes to overall Coach Trust. The coach will see you as a difference-maker who helps the team succeed, making it easier to rise on the depth chart. If you're looking for a competitive edge or quicker progression, consider checking out cheap CFB 26 coins for sale to help boost your gameplay efficiency and climb the ranks faster.
Conclusion
Coach Happiness and Coach Trust should be seen as interconnected systems if you want to succeed in Road to Glory. Gaining trust is accelerated when your Coach Happiness level is high. So whether you're grinding through practices or carefully choosing how to spend your weekly Energy, maintaining balance is key. Focus on academics, develop leadership, make wise decisions, and deliver in your limited game opportunities. If you consistently improve these areas, your coach will reward you with more chances to play—and ultimately lead your team to victory.