FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The West Liberty University football team enters the 2026 season tied for seventh in the Mountain East Conference preseason poll, with the Hilltoppers set to open a new chapter under first-year head coach
Chad Salisbury. West Liberty received 22 points in the preseason voting, matching Concord. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
Salisbury and his staff have spent the preseason focused on developing their roster and building the foundation of the program as the Hilltoppers prepare for the 2026 campaign.
Frostburg State, the reigning MEC co-champion, was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving eight of the nine first-place votes and 64 total points. Charleston was picked second with 57 points and one first-place vote, while Fairmont State was third with 41 points. West Virginia State was fourth with 39 points, followed by Wheeling with 36 and Glenville State with 32.
Concord and West Liberty tied for seventh with 22 points, while West Virginia Wesleyan rounded out the poll with 11 points.
2026 MEC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Frostburg State (8) |
64 |
| 2. |
Charleston (1) |
57 |
| 3. |
Fairmont State |
41 |
| 4. |
West Virginia State |
39 |
| 5. |
Wheeling |
36 |
| 6. |
Glenville State |
32 |
| T-7. |
Concord |
22 |
| T-7. |
West Liberty |
22 |
| 9. |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
11 |
West Liberty's season opener will also mark the beginning of the Salisbury era as the Hilltoppers welcome Walsh to West Family Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 27, for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Hilltoppers will then open Mountain East Conference play on Sept. 19 when Frostburg State visits West Family Stadium. The Bobcats enter the season as the MEC preseason favorite after sharing the conference championship in 2025 and advancing to the NCAA Division II Football Championship quarterfinals.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at
westliberty.edu.
