American Heart Association Announces 2025 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List

The American Heart Association has unveiled its 2025 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, featuring twenty-eight college football coaches under consideration for the prestigious annual honor. The award recognizes 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 alike. This announcement carries significant importance as it represents the intersection of athletic excellence and public health awareness, particularly cardiovascular health, given Coach Bryant's death from a heart attack in 1983.

Now in its 40th year, the Bryant Awards serve a dual purpose of celebrating coaching excellence while raising awareness and critical funds for the American Heart Association's mission. The Coach of the Year winner will be announced on January 21, 2026, during the annual ceremony in Houston, Texas, which will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. 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 performance and impact.

The 2025 watch list showcases coaches from across the collegiate football landscape, including Bret Bielema (University of Illinois), Kalen DeBoer (University of Alabama), Kirby Smart (University of Georgia), and Lincoln Riley (USC). The list represents coaches from various conferences, including the Big Ten, Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, and Big 12, among others. This broad representation underscores the award's national significance and the competitive nature of college football coaching.

Beyond the main Coach of the Year honor, the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Awards will also recognize Conference Coach of the Year winners from each of the Power Four conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC) and 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 Houston-based St. Luke's Health. Fans can follow the awards progress through various social media channels, including facebook.com/bryantawards and twitter.com/bryantawards, using the hashtag #BryantAwards.

The timing of this announcement, coming early in the college football season, allows fans and media to track these coaches' performances throughout the year as they compete for the ultimate recognition. The award's connection to heart health awareness adds a crucial public health dimension to the celebration of athletic achievement, reminding the sports community of the importance of cardiovascular health. This combination of sports excellence and health advocacy makes the Bryant Awards unique among coaching honors and underscores their broader societal impact beyond the football field.