HOUSTON – In the over 150 years of college football, no one coach has built a legacy larger than that of the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant. Thanks to a new partnership between the American Heart Association and EA SPORTS™, fans taking part in EA SPORTS College Football 26’s Dynasty Mode will have the chance to win the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award as the game’s National Coach of the Year.
The Bryant Award will join the Heisman Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Lombardi Award, Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Broyles Award as featured awards in the game.
Now in their 40th year, the American Heart Association Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards annually present the Heart of a Champion Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Newcomer Coach of the Year Award, Conference Coach of the Year Awards, and the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award. Marcus Freeman of the University of Notre Dame was the 2024 Coach of the Year winner. The 2025 winner will be announced in a ceremony in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Coach Bryant’s journey to the top of college football began on September 11, 1913, in Moro Bottom, Arkansas. He started his playing career at Fordyce High School Redbugs and played in college for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He began his head coaching career at the University of Maryland in 1945, and after successful stints at Kentucky (1946-53) and Texas A&M (1954-57), coach Bryant took over the Alabama program in 1958 and led the Crimson Tide through the 1982 season. He won 323 games against just 85 losses and 17 ties, capturing six national championships, 14 SEC Championships, and one Southwest Conference championship. A three time AFCA Coach of the Year and 12 time SEC Coach of the Year, coach Bryant passed away from a heart attack on January 26, 1983 – just under a month after coaching his final game.
After his passing, the Bryant Family felt moved to educate and impact awareness around heart disease and stroke, and approached the American Heart Association to create a meaningful partnership to keep his legacy alive while raising funds to support research.
The inclusion of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award in one of the most celebrated video game franchises in history is another step in the efforts by the American Heart Association to celebrate coaches who embody his legacy and principles of excellence, and to engage with fans of college football who continue to draw inspiration from his enduring example of leadership and character.
EA Sports College Football 26 will be released on Monday, July 7.
For more information on the American Heart Association Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, visit www.bryantawards.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.