The American Heart Association announced that the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year Award will return to EA SPORTS College Football 27's Dynasty Mode when the game releases on July 9. The award, which recognizes the top college football coach in the nation, was first included in last year's edition of the popular video game franchise, joining honors such as the Heisman Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Lombardi Award, Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Broyles Award.
For the American Heart Association, the partnership with EA SPORTS represents a strategic effort to engage with college football fans and celebrate coaches who exemplify the principles of excellence and leadership embodied by the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant. The Bryant Award has been presented annually for 41 years, with the 2025 winner being Indiana's Curt Cignetti. The 2026 recipient will be announced during a ceremony in Houston, Texas, on January 27, 2027. Notably, the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year Award is the only college football coaching honor selected after the national champion has been determined, with voting conducted by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA coaches, former winners, the Bryant family, and the awards' executive leadership team.
Paul "Bear" Bryant's legacy in college football is unmatched. He began his head coaching career at the University of Maryland in 1945 and later led programs at Kentucky and Texas A&M before taking over the University of Alabama in 1958. Over his tenure, Bryant amassed 323 wins, six national championships, and 14 SEC championships. He was a three-time American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year and 12-time SEC Coach of the Year. Bryant passed away from a heart attack on January 26, 1983, shortly after coaching his final game. Following his death, the Bryant family and the American Heart Association collaborated to keep his legacy alive, raising funds for lifesaving scientific research and increasing awareness about heart disease and stroke, the nation's leading killers.
The inclusion of the Bryant Award in EA SPORTS College Football 27 helps extend that mission to a new generation of fans. As the American Heart Association continues its work as a "relentless force" for longer, healthier lives, the partnership with EA SPORTS serves as a platform to honor Coach Bryant's memory while promoting heart health. For more information on the American Heart Association Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, visit www.bryantawards.org. EA Sports College Football 27 will be released on Monday, July 9, and the original press release is available on NewMediaWire.
