Bielema Named to Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was named to the American Heart Association’s Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year watch checklist, the award’s committee introduced. 

Bielema has led the Illini to a 5-2 general report coming into their off weekend. Illinois has performed the #4 power of schedule within the nation and the #1 most troublesome schedule within the Big Ten, in keeping with ESPN. Illinois’ power of report metric is Thirteenth-best within the nation, because the Illini’s season has been highlighted by a top-25 win over USC. 

The Bear Bryant Coach of the Year award is given every January to a school soccer coach for contributions that make the game higher for athletes and followers alike by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a successful method to teaching and life – each on and off the sphere.

The American Heart Association, a relentless pressure altering the way forward for well being for everybody in all places, presents the Bear Bryant Awards yearly to rejoice excellence in teaching, to honor coach Bryant’s legacy, and to lift consciousness and significant funds for its mission. The teaching legend died from a coronary heart assault in 1983, simply 28 days after his ultimate victory and retirement.

Now in its fortieth yr, the Coach of the Year award winner can be offered Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, through the Association’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony in Houston, Texas. The ceremony, offered by Memorial Hermann Health System, can be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.

The watch checklist, 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 consists of (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 Conference 

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