Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards announce 2025 Coach of the Year Award watch list

HOUSTON, Oct. 15, 2025 – Twenty-eight college football coaches make up the American Heart Association’s 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, a list of current coaches in consideration for the annual top honor. The award is given each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field.

The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor coach Bryant’s legacy, and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.

Now in its 40th year, the Coach of the Year award winner will be presented on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, during the Association’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony in Houston, Texas. The ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

The watch list, finalists, and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family.

The 2025 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):

Bret Bielema – University of Illinois – Big Ten Conference

Curt Cignetti – Indiana University – Big Ten Conference

Mario Cristobal – University of Miami – Atlantic Coast Conference

Ryan Day – The Ohio State University – Big Ten Conference

Kalen DeBoer – University of Alabama – Southeastern Conference

Eliah Drinkwitz – University of Missouri – Southeastern Conference

Mike Elko – Texas A&M University – Southeastern Conference

Tony Elliott – University of Virginia - Atlantic Coast Conference

Matt Entz – Fresno State – Mountain West Conference

Willie Fritz – University of Houston – Big 12 Conference

Alex Golesh – University of South Florida – American Athletic Conference

Josh Heupel – University of Tennessee – Southeastern Conference

Brian Kelly – LSU – Southeastern Conference

Brent Key –Georgia Tech - Atlantic Coast Conference

Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss – Southeastern Conference

Dan Lanning – University of Oregon – Big Ten Conference

Clark Lea – Vanderbilt University – Southeastern Conference

Joey McGuire – Texas Tech University – Big 12 Conference

Dan Mullen – UNLV – Mountain West Conference

Brian Newberry – Navy – American Athletic Conference

Lincoln Riley – USC – Big Ten Conference

Scott Satterfield – University of Cincinnati – Big 12 Conference

Ryan Silverfield – University of Memphis – American Athletic Conference

Kalani Sitake – BYU – Big 12 Conference/

Kirby Smart – University of Georgia – Southeastern Conference

Jon Sumrall – Tulane University – American Athletic Conference

Brent Venables – University of Oklahoma – Southeastern Conference

Kyle Whittingham – University of Utah – Big 12 Conference

In addition to the Coach of the Year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will also present Conference Coach of the Year Awards from each of the Power Four collegiate athletic conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference) and one from the combined Group of Five conferences (American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference and Sun Belt Conference), the Pac-12 and Independent teams.

Phillip Fulmer of the University of Tennessee will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Heart of a Champion Award, presented by Houston (Texas) based St. Luke’s Health will be announced next week.

Fans can follow the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, track progress of the awards at facebook.com/bryantawards, twitter.com/bryantawards or by following the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive virtual VIP experience for the Bryant Awards, contact 832-918-4009 or visit bryantawards.org.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook,