American Heart Association Announces 2025 Bear Bryant Coach of the Year 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. Now in its 40th year, the Bear Bryant Awards serve a dual purpose: celebrating coaching excellence while raising awareness and critical funds for the American Heart Association's mission.

The award honors the legacy of coaching legend Paul 'Bear' Bryant, who died from a heart attack in 1983 just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. The Coach of the Year winner will be announced on January 21, 2026 during the annual awards ceremony in Houston, Texas, which will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The 2025 watch list includes prominent coaches from across major collegiate conferences, including Bret Bielema (University of Illinois), Ryan Day (The Ohio State University), Kalen DeBoer (University of Alabama), Kirby Smart (University of Georgia), and Lincoln Riley (USC).

The selection process involves voting by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family. Beyond the main Coach of the Year honor, the Bryant Awards will also recognize Conference Coach of the Year recipients from each of the Power Four conferences - Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference - as well as 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 St. Luke's Health.

The awards ceremony represents a significant fundraising opportunity for the American Heart Association's cardiovascular disease prevention and research efforts. Fans can track award progress through social media channels including facebook.com/bryantawards and twitter.com/bryantawards using the hashtag #BryantAwards. The continued growth of the Bryant Awards over four decades demonstrates the enduring connection between sports excellence and health awareness, creating a platform that honors coaching achievement while supporting vital cardiovascular health initiatives.