The American Heart Association has announced the 28 football coaches named to the watch list for the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award, an honor given annually to a college football coach who demonstrates grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, marks the beginning of a selection process that will culminate in January 2027, after the National Champion has been determined.
The watch list includes coaches from across the collegiate landscape, such as Kirby Smart of the University of Georgia, Ryan Day of Ohio State University, Kalen DeBoer of the University of Alabama, and Marcus Freeman of the University of Notre Dame. The diversity of conferences represented, from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference to the Mountain West and Pac-12, underscores the national scope of the award.
This announcement matters because the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards are about more than just football. They serve as a platform to raise awareness and critical funds for the American Heart Association's mission to fight cardiovascular disease and stroke. Coach Bryant died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement, making the award a powerful tribute to his legacy and a reminder of the importance of heart health. The awards have united the football community in support of the Association's lifesaving work since their inception.
The watch list, finalists, and ultimate recipient are 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 selection process ensures that the award honors coaches who excel both on and off the field.
In addition to the national honor, the awards will present Conference Coach of the Year Awards from each of the Power Four conferences and one from the combined Group of Six conferences and Independent teams. The National Coach of the Year Award is one of five honors presented annually during the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas. This year's ceremony, in its 41st year, will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Bruce Arians, a Super Bowl-winning NFL coach and former college head coach, has been selected as the Heart of a Champion Award winner, and Jackie Sherrill, a two-time NCAA national championship head coach, has been named the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The Fan Favorite and Newcomer Coach of the Year Awards will be announced live at the show.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond the football season. By spotlighting these coaches, the American Heart Association hopes to inspire fans to take charge of their cardiovascular health. The association provides resources and information through heart.org and stroke.org, encouraging individuals to learn about risk factors and prevention. The watch list serves as a reminder that the fight against heart disease is a team effort, and the coaches on this list are leading by example.
Fans can follow the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards and track the progress of the awards at bryantawards.org or by following the hashtag #BryantAwards. The full release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
