Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 15, 2025

28 College Football Coaches Named to Prestigious Bryant Award Watch List

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Original Source

TLDR

  • Twenty-eight coaches compete for the Bear Bryant Award, gaining national recognition that enhances their career prospects and program prestige.
  • The American Heart Association presents the award based on voting by sports media, Bryant leadership, and family, with the winner announced in January 2026.
  • This award honors Bear Bryant's legacy while raising funds for heart health awareness, supporting the American Heart Association's lifesaving mission.
  • The 40th annual Bear Bryant Awards ceremony will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network, celebrating coaching excellence across multiple college football conferences.

Impact - Why it Matters

This announcement matters because it highlights the intersection of sports excellence and health awareness, using the platform of college football's most prestigious coaching award to drive attention to cardiovascular health. Given that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, the American Heart Association's partnership with this high-profile sports award creates valuable opportunities to reach millions of football fans with critical health messaging. The timing is particularly relevant as cardiovascular health concerns have gained increased attention in recent years, and leveraging popular sports figures helps normalize conversations about heart health. For college football enthusiasts, this represents more than just coaching recognition—it's an opportunity to engage with health awareness through a familiar and beloved sport, potentially inspiring fans to take their own heart health more seriously while following their favorite coaches' achievements.

Summary

The American Heart Association has unveiled its 2025 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, featuring twenty-eight prominent college football coaches from across the nation's top conferences. This prestigious honor, now in its 40th year, recognizes coaches who demonstrate exceptional grit, integrity, and a winning approach both on and off the field. The watch list includes coaching heavyweights like Kirby Smart of Georgia, Ryan Day of Ohio State, Lincoln Riley of USC, and Kalen DeBoer of Alabama, representing powerhouse programs from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 conferences. The selection spans diverse coaching styles and program sizes, from established powerhouses to rising programs, showcasing the depth of coaching talent across collegiate football.

The Bryant Awards ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will take place on January 21, 2026, in Houston and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Beyond the main Coach of the Year honor, the event will also recognize Conference Coach of the Year winners from the Power Four conferences and Group of Five conferences, plus additional special awards. Notably, Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Heart of a Champion Award will be announced soon. Fans can track the awards progress through social media platforms including facebook.com/bryantawards and twitter.com/bryantawards using the hashtag #BryantAwards, or visit bryantawards.org for more information about the virtual VIP experience.

The American Heart Association, which presents these awards annually, uses the platform to honor Coach Bryant's legacy while raising awareness and critical funds for its mission to combat cardiovascular disease. This connection is particularly poignant given that Coach Bryant died from a heart attack just 28 days after his final victory and retirement in 1983. The organization, described as a relentless force for healthier lives, leverages the popularity of college football to drive attention to heart health issues. Voting for the finalists and ultimate winner involves the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process that considers both coaching excellence and character.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, 28 College Football Coaches Named to Prestigious Bryant Award Watch List

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