The American Heart Association has revealed the eight finalists for the 2025 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award, marking the 40th anniversary of the prestigious coaching honor. The award recognizes college football coaches who demonstrate grit, integrity, and a winning approach both on and off the field, with the unique distinction of being the only college football coaching honor awarded after the national champion has been determined.
The finalists include Curt Cignetti of Indiana University, Bob Chesney of James Madison University, Mario Cristobal of the University of Miami, Mike Elko of Texas A&M University, Tony Elliott of the University of Virginia, Dan Lanning of the University of Oregon, Clark Lea of Vanderbilt University, and Joey McGuire of Texas Tech University. Five of these coaches have already received conference honors, with Cignetti named Bear Bryant Big 10 Conference Coach of the Year, Chesney as Bear Bryant Group of 6 Conference Coach of the Year, Elliott as Bear Bryant Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, Lea as Bear Bryant Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, and McGuire as Bear Bryant Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year.
The selection process involves voting by members of the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family. The winner will be announced during a ceremony at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas, on January 21, 2026, with the event broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The awards presentation is supported by Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System.
Beyond recognizing coaching excellence, the Bryant Awards serve a dual purpose of raising awareness and critical funds for the American Heart Association's mission. The award honors the legacy of coaching legend Paul "Bear" Bryant, who died from a heart attack in 1983 just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. This connection between sports achievement and cardiovascular health creates a powerful platform for health education and fundraising.
The 2026 ceremony will also feature special recognition for two additional coaching figures. Phillip Fulmer, former head coach of the University of Tennessee, will receive the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, while the late Mike Leach, innovator of the Air Raid offense and former head coach at multiple universities, will be honored posthumously with the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Heart of a Champion Award presented by St. Luke's Health.
For those interested in following the awards process, information is available through various channels including the official website at https://bryantawards.org. The integration of sports recognition with health advocacy represents a significant model for how athletic achievements can support broader societal goals, particularly in addressing cardiovascular disease, which remains a leading cause of death worldwide.
