Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer Named to “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List
10/15/2025 1:55:00 PM | Football
The Crimson Tide head coach is among 28 college football head coaches selected for the prestigious honor
HOUSTON – Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer was named to the American Heart Association's (AHA) 2025 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List, the AHA announced Wednesday.
DeBoer is among 28 head coaches within college football named to the "Bear" Bryant Award Watch List, an honor given to a coach whose contributions 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. The winner of the 2025 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, during the Association's annual Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony, in Houston, Texas. The ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
Alabama has had two previous winners of the Bryant Award, first with Gene Stallings in 1992 followed by Nick Saban in 2020.
Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List
Kalen DeBoer
- Amassed a 5-1 record thus far in 2025, including a perfect 3-0 start to Southeastern Conference play
- Guided the Crimson Tide to three consecutive wins over AP Top 25 opponents, one of only two teams in the nation with three ranked victories entering this weekend with Tennessee
- Won 10 straight matchups inside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, part of the Crimson Tide's current 15-game home winning streak that is tied for the longest active win streak in the country
- Has played a key role in the development of quarterback Ty Simpson, who leads the SEC in passing touchdowns (16), passing efficiency (172.4) and points responsible for (108)
