(NewMediaWire) - October 16, 2024 - HOUSTON — Twenty-seven college football coaches make up the American Heart Association’s 2024 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, a list of current coaches in consideration for the annual top honor. The award, given each January to a college football coach, recognizes 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, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all for more than 100 years, and the Bryant family present this award annually to celebrate Bear Bryant’s legacy and raise awareness and critical funds for scientific research to eliminate needless suffering and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke, the leading causes of death globally. The football coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983.

Now in its 39th year, the Coach of the Year award winner will be announced live from Houston’s Post Oak Hotel on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, during an awards ceremony presented by Marathon Oil. The National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family voted on the watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient.


The 2024 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):

Atlantic Coast Conference

• Mario Cristobal - University of Miami
• Rhett Lashlee - Southern Methodist University
• Pat Narduzzi - University of Pittsburgh
• Dabo Swinney - Clemson University

Big Ten Conference

• Bret Bielema - University of Illinois
• Curt Cignetti - Indiana University
• Ryan Day – Ohio State University
• James Franklin – Pennsylvania State University
• Dan Lanning – University of Oregon

Big 12 Conference

• Matt Campbell - Iowa State University
• Kenny Dillingham - Arizona State University
• Chris Klieman - Kansas State University
• Joey McGuire - Texas Tech University
• Kalani Sitake - Brigham Young University

Group of Five Conferences, Independent & Pac-12

• Jamey Chadwell – Liberty University
• Spencer Danielson - Boise State University
• Marcus Freeman – University of Notre Dame
• Jeff Monken – United States Military Academy (Army)
• Brian Newberry - United States Naval Academy (Navy)
• Bryant Vincent - University of Louisiana Monroe

Southeastern Conference

• Kalen DeBoer - University of Alabama
• Mike Elko - Texas A&M University
• Josh Heupel - University of Tennessee
• Brian Kelly - Louisiana State University
• Clark Lea - Vanderbilt University
• Steve Sarkisian – University of Texas
• Kirby Smart – University of Georgia

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.

As previously announced, this year’s awards event will recognize Grant Teaff, who served as the head coach at Baylor University and as the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, and Mark Richt, former University of Georgia and University of Miami head coach. Coach Teaff will receive the 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston and coach Richt will receive the 2025 Heart of a Champion award presented by St. Luke’s Health in Houston.

Marathon Oil Corporation, an independent exploration and production company based in Houston, has served as the presenting sponsor of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards for more than a decade, underscoring the company’s commitment to health and wellness and supporting initiatives that promote the well-being of workers and their families in the communities where it operates.

Fans can track the progress of the Paul “Bear” Bryant awards at  facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards, or instagram.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.

Additional resources:

• Photos are available on the right column of the release link.
• Mike Norvell named 2023 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year
• Olivia and Archie Manning named Paul “Bear” Bryant Heart of a Champion Award recipients
• Lloyd Carr, former University of Michigan coach, to receive Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

For Media Inquiries:

Paul Smith; (940) 367-7762, paul.smith@heart.org

Steven Embree; (405) 415-3039, steven.embree@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org