The American Heart Association has unveiled the 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, naming 28 current college football coaches in consideration for the annual honor. The award, announced via NEWMEDIAWIRE, is given each January to a college football coach who demonstrates grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life, both on and off the field. It is the only college football coaching honor given after the National Champion has been determined.
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 2026 list features coaches from across the country, including David Braun of Northwestern University, Troy Calhoun of Air Force, Curt Cignetti of Indiana University, Ryan Day of Ohio State University, Kalen DeBoer of the University of Alabama, Marcus Freeman of the University of Notre Dame, Kirby Smart of the University of Georgia, and Steve Sarkisian of the University of Texas, among others.
This news matters because the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards are about more than football. The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, honor Coach Bryant’s legacy, and raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. Coach Bryant died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. Since the awards began, they have united the football community in support of the Association’s lifesaving work, funding research and improving cardiovascular health.
In addition to the national Coach of the Year, the awards will present Conference Coach of the Year honors from each Power Four conference—the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, and Southeastern Conference—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. The 41st annual ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, in Houston and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Bruce Arians, an NFL Super Bowl-winning and 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. For more information about the awards and the American Heart Association’s mission, visit bryantawards.org and heart.org.
