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The Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards announce the 2024 college football coaches watch list

The Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards announce the 2024 college football coaches watch list

The American Heart Association awards honor top college football coaches on the Watch List while raising life-saving donations and awareness for heart and brain health

HOUSTON, Oct. 16, 2024 – Twenty-seven college football coaches are on the American Heart Association’s watch list for the 2024 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award, a list of current coaches eligible for the annual top honor. The award, presented each January to a college football coach, recognizes contributions that improve the sport for athletes and fans alike through courage, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life on and demonstrate next to the field.

The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization committed to longer, healthier lives for all for more than 100 years, and the Bryant family present this award annually to honor Bear Bryant’s legacy and raise awareness Provide vital funding for scientific research to eliminate unnecessary suffering and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke, the leading causes of death worldwide. The football coaching legend died of a heart attack in 1983.

Now in its 39th year, the Coach of the Year winner will be announced live at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston at an awards ceremony presented by Marathon Oil on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. 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.

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 conferencesIndependent & 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

Southeast 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 Coach of the Year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards also present Conference Coach of the Year awards from each of the Power Four college 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 ceremony will honor Grant Teaff, who served as head coach at Baylor University and executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, and Mark Richt, former head coach at the University of Georgia and the University of Miami. 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 wellness. of workers and their families in the communities in which the company operates.

Fans can follow the progress of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards on facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or instagram.com/bryantawards or by following the hashtag #BryantAwards. To participate in the Bryant Awards’ exclusive virtual VIP experience, contact 832-918-4009 or visit bryantawards.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a tireless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are committed to ensuring equitable health in all communities. By collaborating with numerous organizations and supporting millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share life-saving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. In 2024 – our anniversary year – we celebrate our rich 100-year history and our successes. As we move forward into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to promote health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us at heart.org, Facebook, X or by phone at 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For media inquiries:

Paul Smith; (940) 367-7762, [email protected]

Steven Embree; (405) 415-3039, [email protected]

For public inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and Stroke.org