The American Heart Association announced that the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year Award will return to EA SPORTS College Football 27, set for release on July 9. The award, which honors the legendary coach, will be included in the game's Dynasty Mode, allowing players to earn the accolade as National Coach of the Year. This marks the second consecutive year the Bryant Award appears in the franchise, joining other prestigious honors like the Heisman Trophy and the Lombardi Award.
The inclusion of the award in the video game series is part of a broader effort by the American Heart Association to celebrate college football coaches who exemplify the principles of excellence and leadership that defined Coach Bryant's career. The association, a leading force in cardiovascular health, aims to engage fans and raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, the nation's leading killers. The Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, now in their 41st year, also recognize recipients of the Heart of a Champion Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Newcomer Coach of the Year, and Conference Coach of the Year.
Indiana's Curt Cignetti was the 2025 recipient of the National Coach of the Year award. The 2026 winner will be announced at a ceremony in Houston on January 27, 2027. The selection process involves voting by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA coaches, former winners, the Bryant family, and the awards' Executive Leadership Team. Significantly, this award is the only college football coaching honor determined after the national champion is crowned.
Coach Bryant's legacy began in Moro Bottom, Arkansas, and included head coaching stints at Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas A&M before his iconic tenure at Alabama from 1958 to 1982. He amassed 323 wins against 85 losses and 17 ties, securing six national championships and 14 SEC titles. He passed away from a heart attack on January 26, 1983. After his death, the Bryant family and the American Heart Association partnered to preserve his legacy, fund research, and promote heart health awareness.
For further details on the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, visit www.bryantawards.org. More information about the American Heart Association can be found at heart.org.
