Steve Sarkisian named finalist for Bear Bryant Award

University of Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian was named a finalist for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award by the American Heart Association on Thursday. The third-year coach of the Longhorns has guided his team to a 12-1 overall record and a spot in the College Football Playoff, the first ever appearance for the Texas program.

The Bryant Award  is given each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field.

He joins seven other coaches as finalists, with the winner being announced at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

Should Sarkisian win he would become the third coach in Texas history to win the award (Darrell K. Royal – 1963, Mack Brown – 2005).

Paul “Bear” Bryant 2023 Coach of the Year Finalists

• David Braun – Northwestern University (Bear Bryant Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year)
• Jamey Chadwell – Liberty University (Bear Bryant Group of Five Conference Coach of the Year)
• Kalen DeBoer – University of Washington (Bear Bryant Pac-12 Conference Coach of the Year)
• Eliah Drinkwitz – University of Missouri (Bear Bryant SEC Coach of the Year)
• Rhett Lashlee – Southern Methodist University
• Mike Norvell – Florida State University (Bear Bryant ACC Coach of the Year)
• Nick Saban – University of Alabama
• Steve Sarkisian – University of Texas at Austin (Bear Bryant Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year)