Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 22, 2026
Curt Cignetti Wins Bear Bryant Coach of Year After Historic Indiana Title Run
TLDR
- Indiana University's Curt Cignetti won Coach of the Year after leading the team to a perfect 16-0 season and national championship, demonstrating elite coaching advantage.
- The Paul 'Bear' Bryant Award selects the top college football coach through voting by media, coaches, and experts after the national champion is determined.
- The awards program raises funds for the American Heart Association's research to eradicate cardiovascular disease and promote healthier lives worldwide.
- The award honors Bear Bryant's legacy, created after his heart attack death, and also recognized Phillip Fulmer and Mike Leach with special honors.
Impact - Why it Matters
This recognition connects athletic excellence with vital health advocacy, as the Bryant Awards directly support the American Heart Association's mission to combat cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death in the United States. The partnership between sports and health organizations amplifies awareness about heart health to millions of football fans, potentially inspiring lifestyle changes and supporting research that saves lives. For college football enthusiasts, it highlights how coaching excellence extends beyond wins to character development and community impact, while honoring the legacy of Bear Bryant in a meaningful way that benefits public health.
Summary
Indiana University head football coach Curt Cignetti has been named the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year, capping a historic season where he led the Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship with a perfect 16-0 record. The award, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System at the American Heart Association's 40th annual ceremony in Houston, recognizes not only on-field excellence but also leadership, integrity, and contributions to the sport. Cignetti's remarkable turnaround of the Indiana program in just his second season was highlighted by the performance of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the championship victory over Miami.
The Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards program, which benefits the American Heart Association's mission to eradicate cardiovascular disease, represents a powerful partnership between sports and health advocacy. Established in 1986 after legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant died from a heart attack, the awards celebrate coaching excellence while raising critical funds for heart disease research. This year's ceremony also honored other coaching legends, including Phillip Fulmer, who will receive the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, and the late Mike Leach, who will be honored posthumously with the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Heart of a Champion Award presented by St. Luke's Health.
The selection process involves multiple voting groups including the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA coaches, former award winners, and the Bryant family, making this the only college football coaching honor awarded after the national champion is determined. Fans participated through the sixth annual Coach of the Year Fan Vote sponsored by Accenture, with Bob Chesney of James Madison University repeating as the fan vote winner. The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network, and additional coverage can be found on social media platforms including facebook.com/bryantawards and x.com/bryantawards, with more information available at bryantawards.org.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Curt Cignetti Wins Bear Bryant Coach of Year After Historic Indiana Title Run
