The American Heart Association’s Paul “Bear” Bryant Award will again be featured in EA SPORTS College Football 27, set for release on July 9, 2026. The award, which recognizes the National Coach of the Year in the game’s Dynasty Mode, joins other prestigious honors like the Heisman Trophy and the Lombardi Award. This marks the second consecutive year that the Bryant Award has been included in the popular video game franchise, following its debut in the previous edition.
The inclusion of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award in EA SPORTS College Football 27 is part of the American Heart Association’s broader effort to celebrate college football coaches who embody the legacy and principles of the legendary coach. The Association aims to engage fans and draw inspiration from Bryant’s leadership and character, while also raising awareness about heart disease and stroke, the nation’s leading killers.
Now in their 41st year, the American Heart Association’s Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards encompass several categories: the Heart of a Champion Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Newcomer Coach of the Year Award, Conference Coach of the Year Awards, and the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award. The 2025 Coach of the Year was Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, and the 2026 winner will be announced at a ceremony in Houston, Texas on January 27, 2027. This award is unique as the only college football coaching honor selected after the National Champion has been determined, with votes cast by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA coaches, former winners, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant family.
Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s storied career began in Moro Bottom, Arkansas, and included head coaching stints at the University of Maryland, University of Kentucky, Texas A&M, and the University of Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide from 1958 to 1982. He amassed 323 wins, six national championships, and 14 SEC Championships. Bryant passed away from a heart attack on January 26, 1983, just after his final game. In his memory, the Bryant family and the American Heart Association collaborate to fund lifesaving scientific research and drive awareness of cardiovascular risks.
EA Sports College Football 27 continues to integrate real-world awards, enhancing the authenticity of its Dynasty Mode. Fans can look forward to competing for the Bryant Award while also learning about the importance of heart health. For more information on the awards, visit www.bryantawards.org.
