CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was named to the American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year watch list, the award's committee announced.Â
Bielema has led the Illini to a 5-2 overall record entering their off weekend. Illinois has played the #4 strength of schedule in the nation and the #1 most difficult schedule in the Big Ten, according to ESPN. Illinois' strength of record metric is 13th-best in the nation, as the Illini's season has been highlighted by a top-25 win over USC.Â
The Bear Bryant Coach of the Year award is given each January to a college football coach for 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, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor coach Bryant's legacy, and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
Now in its 40th year, the Coach of the Year award winner will be presented Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, during the Association's annual Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony in Houston, Texas. The ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
The watch list, finalists, and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family.
The 2025 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):
Bret Bielema – University of Illinois – Big Ten Conference
Curt Cignetti – Indiana University – Big Ten Conference
Mario Cristobal – University of Miami – Atlantic Coast Conference
Ryan Day – The Ohio State University – Big Ten Conference
Kalen DeBoer – University of Alabama – Southeastern Conference
Eliah Drinkwitz – University of Missouri – Southeastern Conference
Tony Elliott – University of Virginia - Atlantic Coast Conference
Mike Elko – Texas A&M University – Southeastern Conference
Matt Entz – Fresno State University – Mountain West Conference
Willie Fritz – University of Houston – Big 12 Conference
Alex Golesh – University of South Florida – American Athletic Conference
Josh Heupel – University of Tennessee – Southeastern Conference
Brian Kelly – Louisiana State University – Southeastern Conference
Brent Key – Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) - Atlantic Coast Conference
Lane Kiffin – University of Mississippi – Southeastern Conference
Dan Lanning – University of Oregon – Big Ten Conference
Clark Lea – Vanderbilt University – Southeastern Conference
Joey McGuire – Texas Tech University – Big 12 Conference
Dan Mullen – University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Mountain West ConferenceÂ
Brian Newberry – United States Naval Academy – American Athletic Conference
Lincoln Riley – University of Southern California – Big Ten Conference
Scott Satterfield – University of Cincinnati – Big 12 Conference
Ryan Silverfield – University of Memphis – American Athletic Conference
Kalani Sitake – Brigham Young University – Big 12 Conference
Kirby Smart – University of Georgia – Southeastern Conference
Jon Sumrall – Tulane University – American Athletic Conference
Brent Venables – University of Oklahoma – Southeastern Conference
Kyle Whittingham – University of Utah – Big 12 Conference
