Voting Process & Conference Awards for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards
Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Watchlist
The Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Watchlist is voted on by the Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team. Selections will be made prior to a mid-October announcement.
Paul “Bear” Bryant Conference Coach of the Year and Finalist Selection
The Paul “Bear” Bryant Conference Coaches of the Year will be selected after the conclusion of all conference championship games. The voting body will include active FBS head coaches, former winners, the Bryant family and members of the National Sports Media Association, and the Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team.
Conference winners will be chosen from one of each of the Power Four Conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and SEC) and one (1) from the Group of Six Conferences (American, C-USA, MAC, MW, Pac-12, and Sun Belt) or Division I independent schools.
All five (5) Conference Coach of the Year winners will be invited and highlighted at the event.
At-large finalists will be voted on by the Executive Leadership Team as needed. At-large finalists must commit to attending the awards ceremony in order to be formally recognized as a finalist.
Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year
Voting will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the national championship game. Voters will include active FBS head coaches, former winners, the Bryant family, the National Sports Media Association, and the Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team. Finalists not in attendance at the Bryant Awards ceremony are ineligible to be named National Coach of the Year.