Cristobal Named To Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes football head coach Mario Cristobal has been named to the 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List, the American Heart Association announced Wednesday.

Cristobal is one of 28 college football coaches recognized by the association for their leadership, integrity, and impact on the game. The award, which is now in its 40th year, honors college football’s top head coach for contributions that elevate the sport and embody the values of coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Cristobal has guided the Hurricanes to a 5-0 start, including a 1-0 mark in ACC play and a No. 2 national ranking, the program’s highest since 2017. Miami has already recorded three wins over ranked opponents (Notre Dame, USF and Florida State) with a combined 174-68 point differential in all five of their victories.

The annual honor is presented each January by the American Heart Association, which uses the Bryant Awards to raise awareness and critical funds supporting heart and brain health research. This year’s Coach of the Year will be announced Jan. 21, 2026, during the awards ceremony in Houston, Texas. The event, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will air live on CBS Sports Network.

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