Eight College Football Coaches Named Finalists for Prestigious Bear Bryant Award

The American Heart Association has announced the eight finalists for the prestigious 2025 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award, celebrating its 40th anniversary as the only college football coaching honor awarded after the National Champion is determined. The finalists, selected for demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach both on and off the field, 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. Notably, five of these coaches have already been recognized as Bear Bryant conference coaches of the year for their respective intercollegiate athletic conferences, highlighting their exceptional leadership within the National Sports Media Association framework.

The award ceremony, presented by Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System, will take place at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas, on January 21, 2026, with a live broadcast on CBS Sports Network. In addition to the Coach of the Year announcement, the gala will honor Phillip Fulmer with the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award and the late Mike Leach posthumously with the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Heart of a Champion Award, presented by St. Luke's Health. Fans can follow the event's progress through social media platforms like facebook.com/bryantawards and x.com/bryantawards, or by visiting the official bryantawards.org website for updates and virtual attendance options.

Established in memory of coaching legend Paul "Bear" Bryant, who died from a heart attack in 1983, the awards serve a dual purpose: celebrating coaching excellence and raising awareness and critical funds for the American Heart Association's mission to combat cardiovascular disease. The organization, a relentless force for healthier lives, uses this platform to drive its health initiatives, connecting with the public through resources like heart.org and stroke.org. This year's finalists represent a diverse group of programs across major conferences, underscoring the award's significance in recognizing coaching impact beyond win-loss records, as emphasized by the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team in their selection process.