Finalists Announced for 2019 Bear Bryant Award
12.19.2018
Houston, TX, Dec. 19, 2018 – The American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives announced the finalists for the 2019 Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, sponsored by Marathon Oil Corporation. Representing the nation’s best in college football, these coaches will compete for the highly-coveted and final title of the season:the 2018 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award. The winner will be announced live on Jan. 9, 2019 during the awards dinner and ceremony at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston.
The 2018 award finalists are:
- Bill Clark – University of Alabama-Birmingham
- Josh Heupel – University of Central Florida
- Brian Kelly – Notre Dame University
- Jeff Monken – Army West Point
- Nick Saban - University of Alabama
- Dabo Swinney – Clemson University
- Jeff Tedford – Fresno State University
Coach Frank Beamer is the recipient of the 2019 Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award and will also attend the dinner in January. Beamer coached at Virginia Tech for 29 years, retiring in 2015.
Now in its 33rd year, the Coach of the Year Award recognizes the country’s top college football coaches for their contributions both on and off the field. The award is the only college coaching honor selected after all bowl games are concluded and is voted on by the National Sports Media Association.
Behind the scenes, the award is much bigger than a season’s success. It is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on heart disease and stroke – the nation’s numbers one and five health threats. Since the adoption of the name, The Bryant Award has raised over $9.8 million for the American Heart Association, funding research, education and advocacy efforts and saving countless lives. “Bear” always talked about being bigger than something other than himself. The Bryant Awards offer an opportunity to do just that – to join the AHA in the fight against heart disease and stroke, and to help save lives.
Once again, sports aficionados can enjoy the Bryant Awards live on FOX College Sports – available through most cable providers.
Fans can take part in the online silent auction benefitting the AHA. Items are available for bidding online now at https://BearBryantAuction2019.ggo.bid. Notable auction packages include:15-day Grand European River Cruise for two; tickets to the Masters’ Tuesday Practice Round in Augusta, GA for four; a suite at the Toyota Center to see the Houston Rockets play the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, March 22, 2019; autographed sports memorabilia from the Houston Astros, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and more.
Marathon Oil Corporation has served as the presenting sponsor of the Bryant Awards for the past ten years, underscoring the Company’s commitment to health and wellness. The Company strives to partner with local organizations to recognize and advance important public health initiatives in the communities where it operates. Lee Tillman, Marathon Oil president and CEO, says the finalists are each remarkable. “These distinguished coaches are leaders on and off the field, and we’re honored to welcome them to this elite group,” Tillman said. “They represent Paul “Bear” Bryant’s commitment to the American Heart Association’s mission of building a world of longer, healthier lives.”
To purchase tickets to the Bryant Awards, call 832-918-4009, or visit www.bryantawards.org.