Paul “Bear” Bryant Award

Given every year since 1986 to the coach of the year, chosen by the National Sports Media Association. Auburn has won it most, four times. Dabo Swinney won it three times; Nick Saban and Chris Petersen twice. Share

Every winner

Season	Coach		School
2025	Curt Cignetti		Indiana
2024	Marcus Freeman		Notre Dame
2023	Mike Norvell		Florida State
2022	Sonny Dykes		TCU
2021	Luke Fickell		Cincinnati
2020	Nick Saban		Alabama
2019	Ed Orgeron		LSU
2018	Dabo Swinney		Clemson
2017	Scott Frost		UCF
2016	Dabo Swinney		Clemson
2015	Dabo Swinney		Clemson
2014	Gary Patterson		TCU
2013	Gus Malzahn		Auburn
2012	Bill O’Brien		Penn State
2011	Mike Gundy		Oklahoma State
2010	Gene Chizik		Auburn
2009	Chris Petersen		Boise State
2008	Kyle Whittingham		Utah
2007	Mark Mangino		Kansas
2006	Chris Petersen		Boise State
2005	Mack Brown		Texas
2004	Tommy Tuberville		Auburn
2003	Nick Saban		LSU
2002	Jim Tressel		Ohio State
2001	Larry Coker		Miami (FL)
2000	Bob Stoops		Oklahoma
1999	Frank Beamer		Virginia Tech
1998	Bill Snyder		Kansas State
1997	Lloyd Carr		Michigan
1996	Bruce Snyder		Arizona State
1995	Gary Barnett		Northwestern
1994	Rich Brooks		Oregon
1993	Terry Bowden		Auburn
1992	Gene Stallings		Alabama
1991	Don James		Washington
1990	Bobby Ross		Georgia Tech
1989	Bill McCartney		Colorado
1988	Lou Holtz		Notre Dame
1987	Dick MacPherson		Syracuse
1986	Joe Paterno		Penn State