Elko Named Finalist for 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Award
Jan 07, 2026 | Football
HOUSTON – Texas A&M head football coach Mike Elko was named Wednesday as one of eight finalists for the American Heart Association's 2025 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Now in its 40th year, the award is presented annually to a college football coach whose contributions have advanced the sport for athletes and fans alike through grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life - both on and off the field. Elko was also named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson and George Munger College Coach of the Year Awards.
Elko guided the Aggies to an 11-2 overall record, a 7-1 mark in SEC play, and to the program's first College Football Playoff appearance. Texas A&M earned three road victories over Associated Press top 20 opponents, the most by any team nationally.
Under Elko's leadership in 2025, the Aggies ranked No. 1 nationally in third-down defense (.229) and were among the nation's leaders in several key categories, including second in tackles for loss allowed (3.31), tackles for loss (8.5), and sacks (3.31). Texas A&M also ranked ninth in fourth-down conversion percentage (.706), 10th in punt returns (15.00), 14th in passing yards per completion (13.62) and time of possession (32:30), 16th in passing yards allowed (176.6), 18th in total defense (307.4), 19th in fourth-down defense (.412) and scoring offense (33.8), and 23rd in total offense (444.5). The Aggies were one of only six programs nationally to rank in the top 25 in both total offense and total defense.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone, everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, honor Coach Bryant's legacy, and raise critical funds for its mission. The legendary coach passed away from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
The Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be announced live from the Post Oak Hotel in Houston on Wednesday, January 21, during an awards ceremony presented by Memorial Hermann Health System. Finalists and the award recipient are selected by members of the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant family.
As previously announced, legendary former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer and the late Mike Leach, innovator of the Air Raid offense and former head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, will also be honored at this year's gala. Fulmer will receive the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, while Leach will be honored posthumously with the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Heart of a Champion Award, presented by St. Luke's Health.
2025 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Finalist
Curt Cignetti, Indiana University
Bob Chesney, James Madison University
Mario Cristobal, University of Miami
Mike Elko, Texas A&M University
Tony Elliott, University of Virginia
Dan Lanning, University of Oregon
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt University
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech University
Now in its 40th year, the award is presented annually to a college football coach whose contributions have advanced the sport for athletes and fans alike through grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life - both on and off the field. Elko was also named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson and George Munger College Coach of the Year Awards.
Elko guided the Aggies to an 11-2 overall record, a 7-1 mark in SEC play, and to the program's first College Football Playoff appearance. Texas A&M earned three road victories over Associated Press top 20 opponents, the most by any team nationally.
Under Elko's leadership in 2025, the Aggies ranked No. 1 nationally in third-down defense (.229) and were among the nation's leaders in several key categories, including second in tackles for loss allowed (3.31), tackles for loss (8.5), and sacks (3.31). Texas A&M also ranked ninth in fourth-down conversion percentage (.706), 10th in punt returns (15.00), 14th in passing yards per completion (13.62) and time of possession (32:30), 16th in passing yards allowed (176.6), 18th in total defense (307.4), 19th in fourth-down defense (.412) and scoring offense (33.8), and 23rd in total offense (444.5). The Aggies were one of only six programs nationally to rank in the top 25 in both total offense and total defense.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone, everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, honor Coach Bryant's legacy, and raise critical funds for its mission. The legendary coach passed away from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
The Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be announced live from the Post Oak Hotel in Houston on Wednesday, January 21, during an awards ceremony presented by Memorial Hermann Health System. Finalists and the award recipient are selected by members of the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant family.
As previously announced, legendary former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer and the late Mike Leach, innovator of the Air Raid offense and former head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, will also be honored at this year's gala. Fulmer will receive the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, while Leach will be honored posthumously with the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Heart of a Champion Award, presented by St. Luke's Health.
2025 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Finalist
Curt Cignetti, Indiana University
Bob Chesney, James Madison University
Mario Cristobal, University of Miami
Mike Elko, Texas A&M University
Tony Elliott, University of Virginia
Dan Lanning, University of Oregon
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt University
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech University
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