The American Heart Association has selected Jackie Sherrill, a coaching legend whose career spans more than three decades, as the recipient of the 2027 Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by HFG Wealth Management. The award, now in its 28th year, recognizes a coach for outstanding career accomplishments both on and off the football field and is voted on by the National Sports Media Association based on criteria established by the Bryant family, including integrity, leadership, dedication to the development of young people and excellence in teaching the game of football.
Sherrill’s selection carries particular significance because of his personal connection to coach Bryant. A native of Duncan, Oklahoma, Sherrill played for Bryant at the University of Alabama from 1962 to 1965, helping the Crimson Tide win two national championships, and later served as a graduate assistant under Bryant. Over 27 seasons as a head coach at Washington State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M and Mississippi State, Sherrill compiled a career record of 180-120-4. He rose to national prominence at Pittsburgh, guiding the Panthers to a 50-9-1 record from 1977 to 1981, five consecutive top-10 finishes and the development of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. At Texas A&M, he transformed the Aggies into a Southwest Conference powerhouse with three consecutive conference championships from 1985 to 1987 and established the famed “12th Man Kickoff Team” tradition. At Mississippi State, he inherited a program that had not posted a winning season since 1986 and led the Bulldogs to six bowl appearances, an SEC Western Division title in 1998 and a top-15 national finish in 1999; his 75 victories remain the most by any head coach in program history.
The announcement matters beyond football because the Bear Bryant Awards exist to honor coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for the American Heart Association’s mission. Bryant died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. Since the awards began, they have united the football community in support of the Association’s lifesaving work. The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of five honors presented annually during the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston. This year’s ceremony, in its 41st year, will be held on Wednesday, January 27 in Houston and will air on the CBS Sports Network. Bruce Arians was previously announced as the recipient of this year’s Heart of a Champion Award, and the Fan Favorite, Newcomer Coach of the Year and 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year will also be awarded that evening.
Sherrill said receiving an award that bears Coach Bryant’s name is truly special, noting that Bryant shaped his life as a player, a coach and a person and that he has always believed success is measured by the people you help develop and the relationships you build along the way. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, said Sherrill’s impact on college football spans generations and extends far beyond wins and championships, and that through his leadership, commitment to excellence and dedication to developing young people, he exemplifies the values that defined coach Bryant’s remarkable legacy. The Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, funds groundbreaking research and provides critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. More information about the Association’s work is available at heart.org, and resources on stroke are available at stroke.org. Fans can track progress of the awards at bryantawards.org.
