The American Heart Association has announced the eight finalists for the 2025 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award. The award, now in its 40th year, is presented each January to a college football coach for contributions that improve the sport for athletes and fans by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach both on and off the field. It is the only college football coaching honor given after the National Champion has been determined.
The finalists are Curt Cignetti of Indiana University, Bob Chesney of James Madison University, Mario Cristobal of the University of Miami, Mike Elko of Texas A&M University, Tony Elliott of the University of Virginia, Dan Lanning of the University of Oregon, Clark Lea of Vanderbilt University, and Joey McGuire of Texas Tech University. Five of these finalists—Cignetti, Chesney, Elliott, Lea, and McGuire—were also named Bear Bryant conference coaches of the year for their respective intercollegiate athletic conferences.
The winner will be announced live from the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas, on January 21, 2026, during a ceremony presented by Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System. The event will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by members of the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family.
Beyond recognizing coaching excellence, the awards serve a critical health mission. The American Heart Association presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate coaching, honor the legacy of coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant—who died from a heart attack in 1983—and raise awareness and funds for its cardiovascular health initiatives. The organization is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, funding groundbreaking research and advocating for public health. More information about the American Heart Association can be found at https://heart.org.
This year's gala will also honor two additional figures. Phillip Fulmer, the legendary former head coach of the University of Tennessee, will receive the 2026 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Mike Leach, innovator of the Air Raid offense and former head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, will be posthumously honored with the 2026 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Heart of a Champion Award, presented by St. Luke's Health.
For leaders in business and technology, the intersection of major sporting events, philanthropic fundraising, and public health advocacy demonstrated by this award presents a model of corporate-social partnership. The involvement of major health systems like Memorial Hermann and St. Luke's Health highlights how strategic sponsorships can align brand visibility with meaningful causes. The awards' longevity and prestige underscore the value of legacy branding and consistent philanthropic engagement, offering insights into building enduring programs that serve both commemorative and fundraising purposes effectively.
