Texas Coaches Land on 2026 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List

The American Heart Association has unveiled the 28-coach watch list for the 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award, and Texas is well represented. Three coaches from Texas universities—Willie Fritz of the University of Houston, Joey McGuire of Texas Tech University and Steve Sarkisian of the University of Texas—are among those in consideration for the annual honor, which is given each January to a college football coach who demonstrates grit, integrity and a winning approach on and off the field.

The award, announced via NEWMEDIAWIRE, is the only college football coaching honor given after the National Champion has been determined. It is voted on by the National Sports Media Association and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, which includes members of the Bryant family and community leaders. The watch list also features coaches from across the country, including Kirby Smart of Georgia, Ryan Day of Ohio State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame.

For Texas, the presence of three coaches on the watch list underscores the state's continued influence in college football. Fritz, in his tenure at Houston, has guided the Cougars into the Big 12 Conference spotlight. McGuire has built Texas Tech into a competitive force in the Big 12, while Sarkisian has led Texas to national prominence in the Southeastern Conference. Their inclusion brings national attention to Texas programs and reinforces the state's role as a recruiting and coaching powerhouse.

The awards carry significance beyond football. The Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards support the American Heart Association by raising funds and awareness to advance lifesaving research and improve cardiovascular health. Coach Bryant died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. Since the awards' inception, the football community has united in support of the Association's mission. The 41st annual ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will be held on January 27, 2027, in Houston and will air on CBS Sports Network. Bruce Arians, a Super Bowl-winning coach, has been selected as the Heart of a Champion Award winner, and Jackie Sherrill, a two-time NCAA national championship head coach, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The economic and cultural impact of the awards extends to Houston, where the ceremony will draw coaches, media and fans, benefiting local hospitality and spotlighting the city as a host for major sports events. For businesses, the association with a cause as prominent as the American Heart Association offers a model of how sports can drive philanthropy and community health. The watch list itself generates national conversation, and the finalists and winner will be announced in the coming months. Fans can track the awards at bryantawards.org and learn more about the Association's work at heart.org.

As the 2026 season progresses, the Texas coaches on the watch list will carry the state's flag on a national stage, with implications for their programs' visibility and the continued partnership between football and heart health.