The American Heart Association announced that the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award will return to EA SPORTS College Football 27's Dynasty Mode, marking the second consecutive year the award is featured in the popular video game franchise. The announcement, made on July 2, 2026, highlights the continued collaboration between the American Heart Association and EA SPORTS to honor the legacy of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant while engaging college football fans.
Last year's release saw the Bryant Award join other prestigious accolades such as the Heisman Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Lombardi Award, Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Broyles Award. The inclusion of the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award in the game is part of broader efforts by the American Heart Association to celebrate college football coaches who embody Bryant's principles of excellence and to draw inspiration from his leadership and character.
The Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, now in their 41st year, 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 recipient, and the 2026 winner will be announced at a ceremony in Houston, Texas on January 27, 2027. The Coach of the Year award is voted on by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA college football coaches, former winners, the awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant family. Notably, it is the only college football coaching honor selected after the national champion has been determined.
Coach Bryant's storied career began in Moro Bottom, Arkansas, and included head coaching stints at Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas A&M before he took over Alabama in 1958. He led the Crimson Tide through 1982, amassing 323 wins, six national championships, and 14 SEC Championships. A three-time AFCA Coach of the Year, Bryant passed away from a heart attack on January 26, 1983. After his death, the Bryant family partnered with the American Heart Association to keep his legacy alive and raise funds for lifesaving research and awareness of heart disease and stroke.
EA SPORTS College Football 27 is scheduled for release on July 9, 2026. The ongoing inclusion of the Bryant Award underscores the commitment to honoring Coach Bryant's impact on the sport while supporting the American Heart Association's mission to improve cardiovascular health.
