Bryant Awards Honor Coaching Excellence While Supporting Heart Health Mission

The American Heart Association has announced its 2025 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, featuring twenty-eight college football coaches in contention for the prestigious annual honor. This recognition celebrates coaches who demonstrate grit, integrity, and a winning approach both on and off the field, contributing to the betterment of college football for athletes and fans. Now in its 40th year, the Bear Bryant Awards serve a dual purpose: celebrating coaching excellence while raising awareness and critical funds for the American Heart Association's mission to combat cardiovascular disease.

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 tragic connection between sports achievement and heart health has created a powerful platform that merges athletic recognition with health advocacy. The Coach of the Year winner will be announced on January 21, 2026 during the annual awards ceremony in Houston, Texas, which will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network, providing national visibility for both coaching achievements and heart health awareness.

The 2025 watch list includes prominent coaches from across major collegiate conferences, including Bret Bielema of the University of Illinois, Ryan Day of The Ohio State University, Kalen DeBoer of the University of Alabama, Kirby Smart of the University of Georgia, and Lincoln Riley of USC. The selection process involves voting by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of coaching excellence.

Beyond the main Coach of the Year honor, the Bryant Awards will also recognize Conference Coach of the Year recipients from each of the Power Four conferences - Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference - as well as one from the combined Group of Five conferences. Additional honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award, which will go to Phillip Fulmer of the University of Tennessee, and the Heart of a Champion Award presented by St. Luke's Health, expanding the recognition of coaching contributions across multiple levels.

The awards ceremony represents a significant fundraising opportunity for the American Heart Association's cardiovascular disease prevention and research efforts. The continued growth of the Bryant Awards over four decades demonstrates the enduring connection between sports excellence and health awareness, creating a sustainable platform that honors coaching achievement while supporting vital cardiovascular health initiatives. This integration of athletic recognition with health advocacy provides a model for how sports-based events can generate meaningful support for charitable causes while celebrating professional excellence in competitive fields.