HOUSTON, May 20, 2025 – CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour cable home of CBS Sports, will once again serve as the official broadcast partner of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, the American Heart Association announced today.
“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with CBS Sports Network as the official broadcast home of the Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Awards,” said Bear Bryant Awards Executive Director Steven Embree. “Their commitment to showcasing excellence in college football aligns perfectly with the legacy of Coach Bryant and the impact these awards have on the mission of the American Heart Association. We look forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of these coaches with fans across the nation as we raise funds to combat heart disease.”
Now in its 40th year, the Bryant Awards celebrates college football coaches who embody the leadership, dedication, and excellence exemplified by coach Paul “Bear” Bryant himself. Each season, one remarkable coach from the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision is selected to receive the coveted “Bear” bust trophy and the title of Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year.
“Memorial Hermann is extremely proud to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s Bryant Awards Ceremony,” said Anne Neeson, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Foundation. “Memorial Hermann and the American Heart Association have been close partners for many years, and we both share the common goal of seeing a world without cardiovascular disease and stroke. Creating healthier communities is at the core of what we do at Memorial Hermann, so we are honored to be part of this campaign and awards ceremony.”
In 2000, the awards expanded to include the Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, highlighting the outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions of coaches whose service have reflected honor and sportsmanship to the game of football throughout his career; and in 2020, the Bryant Awards added both the Heart of a Champion Award presented by St. Luke’s Health, recognizing an individual whose notable contributions and positive influence have helped define the ways we enjoy, watch, and engage in sports; as well as the Fan Vote Favorite Award presented by Accenture, allowing college football fans the opportunity to have a voice in celebrating their favorite college football coach. In 2023, the Bryant Awards’ most recent award was created – the Newcomer Coach of the Year Award – celebrating and honoring first-year head coaches for accomplishments on and off the field.
During the season, the Bryant Awards recognizes a National Coach of the Week, selected by a panel of national media members.
The 2026 event will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas.
University of Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is the reigning Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award winner, while at the 2025 event former University of Georgia and University of Miami head coach Mark Richt was honored as the Heart of a Champion Award winner; former Baylor University head coach Grant Teaff was recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner, James Madison University’s Bob Chesney was named Fan Vote Favorite Award winner, while Syracuse University’s Fran Brown was recognized as the Newcomer Coach of the Year.
The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, and the Bryant family present the awards 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.
Memorial Hermann Health System, a non-profit, values-driven, community-owned health system dedicated to improving health, is in its first year as the presenting sponsor of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, amplifying its vision of creating healthier communities, now, and for generations to come. Fans can follow the action at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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About CBS Sports Network
Available to 99 million homes nationwide, CBS Sports Network is the 24-hour destination of CBS Sports and home of Jim Rome’s show “Rome,” airing weeknights at 6 ET. The network televises more than 300 live games and over 2,000 hours of original programming every year. The network telecasts live football, basketball and more from the Mountain West, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, as well as Army, Navy and the Patriot League.
About Memorial Hermann Health System
Charting a better future. A future that’s built upon the HEALTH of our community. This is the driving force for Memorial Hermann, redefining health care for the individuals and many diverse populations we serve. Our 6,600 affiliated physicians and more than 34,000 employees practice the highest standards of safe, evidence-based, quality care to provide a personalized and outcome-oriented experience across our more than 250 care delivery sites. As one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann has an award-winning and nationally acclaimed Accountable Care Organization, 17* hospitals and numerous specialty programs and services conveniently located throughout the Greater Houston area. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is one of the nation’s busiest Level I trauma centers and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. For 117 years, our focus has been the best interest of our community, contributing nearly $500 million annually through school-based health centers and other community benefit programs. Now and for generations to come, the health of our community will be at the center of what we do – charting a better future for all.
*Memorial Hermann Health System owns and operates 14 hospitals and has joint ventures with three other hospital facilities, including Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital First Colony, Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital Kingwood and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy.