The American Heart Association has announced that the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be included in EA SPORTS College Football 27's Dynasty Mode, marking the second consecutive year the award appears in the popular video game franchise. The award, which honors the legendary University of Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, recognizes the National Coach of the Year in college football and is the only coaching honor selected after the national champion is determined. Last year's game saw the Bryant Award join other prestigious awards such as the Heisman Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Lombardi Award, Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Broyles Award.
EA SPORTS College Football 27 is set for release on Monday, July 9, and will allow players to earn the Bryant Award in Dynasty Mode. The inclusion of the award is part of the American Heart Association's efforts to celebrate college football coaches who embody Bryant's legacy of excellence and to engage with fans inspired by his leadership. The association, a relentless force for longer, healthier lives, uses the awards to raise funds for lifesaving scientific research and to increase awareness of heart disease and stroke, the nation's leading killers.
Now in their 41st year, the American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards annually present multiple honors, including the Heart of a Champion Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Newcomer Coach of the Year Award, and Conference Coach of the Year Awards, in addition to the national Coach of the Year award. Indiana's Curt Cignetti was the 2025 Coach of the Year, and the 2026 winner will be announced at a ceremony in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, January 27, 2027. The award is voted on by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA college football coaches, former Coach of the Year winners, the awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant family.
Coach Bryant's storied career began in 1913 in Moro Bottom, Arkansas, and he went on to win 323 games, six national championships, and 14 SEC Championships during his tenure at Alabama, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Maryland. He passed away from a heart attack on January 26, 1983, just weeks after his final game. After his passing, the Bryant family and the American Heart Association collaborated to keep his legacy alive through the awards, which also support research into cardiovascular disease. For more information on the awards, visit www.bryantawards.org.
