Curt Cignetti, head coach at Indiana University, was named national college football Coach of the Year at the American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, presented by Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System. The 40th annual awards program, held in Houston, benefits the American Heart Association, which is devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all.
In his second season at Indiana, Cignetti capped one of the most dramatic program turnarounds in college football history, culminating with the program's first national title. Indiana finished the 2025 season with a perfect 16-0 record, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was named Most Outstanding Player in the Hoosiers' national championship victory over Miami.
"We are honored to recognize coach Cignetti with this year's Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "This award upholds coach Bryant's legacy by celebrating exceptional leadership and excellence. The American Heart Association's work with the Bryant family strengthens our mission so everyone, everywhere can live a long and healthy life."
"This is a tremendous award and honor," said Cignetti. "This is a team award and I'd like to thank our seniors who were outstanding in their leadership this year. All successful organizations are about having the right people and we have the right people from top to bottom. I'm honored to continue the legacy of coach Bryant and support the life-saving work of the American Heart Association."
The Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award annually recognizes the country's top college football coach for their positive contributions both on and off the field, as well as efforts to make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life. The Coach of the Year award is voted on by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA college football coaches, former Coach of the Year Award winners, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant family. This award is the only college football coaching honor given after the National Champion has been determined.
In 1983, football coaching legend Paul "Bear" Bryant died from a heart attack. Moved to amplify and drive education surrounding heart disease after his passing, the Bryant family teamed up with the American Heart Association in 1986, building on the Association's Coach of the Year Award to create the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards program. Each year since then, the awards have celebrated "Bear's" legacy by recognizing coaching excellence while raising critical funds for research to eradicate cardiovascular disease.
"The legacy of Coach Bryant and the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association are deeply connected," said Rodney Reed, American Heart Association volunteer and 2026 Bryant Awards Chair. "Coach Cignetti exemplifies the excellence, leadership and character this award represents."
As previously announced, Phillip Fulmer, the legendary former head coach of the University of Tennessee, will receive the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, and the late Mike Leach will be honored posthumously with the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Heart of a Champion Award presented by St. Luke's Health. Fans participated in the sixth annual Coach of the Year Fan Vote, sponsored by Accenture, with Bob Chesney of James Madison University repeating as the winner. For more information, visit bryantawards.org.
