HOUSTON, Texas – Jason Eck, who has led New Mexico to a 5-1 record and a 2-0 Mountain West record for the first time in school history, was one of 28 football coaches who made up the American Heart Association’s 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list. Each January, the award recognizes a college football coach for contributions that 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. This award is the only college football coaching honor presented after the National Champion is determined.
Eck is one of three Mountain West coaches on the list, joined by Troy Calhoun of Air Force and Tim Polesek of North Dakota State. The Mountain West has as many coaches on the list as the ACC (3) and the rest of the Group of 6 combined (3, one each from the American, the Sun Belt, and the Pac-12).
Eck in his first two seasons with New Mexico is 14-5, tying for the most wins by a Lobo head coach in his first two seasons in school history. The Lobos are currently receiving votes in both the Associated Press poll and the Coaches Poll.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate coaching excellence, honor Coach Bryant’s legacy, and raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. Since its inception, the awards have united the football community in support of the Association's lifesaving work.
The National Sports Media Association and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, made up of members of the Bryant family and community leaders, vote on the watch list, finalists, and Coach of the Year recipient.
The 2026 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):
David Braun, Northwestern University (Big Ten Conference)
Troy Calhoun, Air Force (Mountain West Conference)
Bob Chesney, UCLA (Big Ten Conference)
Curt Cignetti, Indiana University (Big Ten Conference)
Mario Cristobal, University of Miami (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Spencer Danielson, Boise State University (Pac-12 Conference)
Ryan Day, Ohio State University (Big Ten Conference)
Kalen DeBoer, University of Alabama (Southeastern Conference)
Jake Dickert, Wake Forest University (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Eli Drinkwitz, University of Missouri (Southeastern Conference)
Jason Eck, University of New Mexico (Mountain West Conference)
Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa (Big Ten Conference)
Marcus Freeman, University of Notre Dame (Independent)
Willie Fritz, University of Houston (Big 12 Conference)
Pete Golding, University of Mississippi (Southeastern Conference)
Josh Heupel, University of Tennessee (Southeastern Conference)
Charles Huff, University of Memphis (American Conference)
Rhett Lashlee, Southern Methodist University (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech University (Big 12 Conference)
Eric Morris, Oklahoma State University (Big 12 Conference)
Billy Napier, James Madison University (Sun Belt Conference)
Tim Polasek, North Dakota State University (Mountain West Conference)
Lincoln Riley, USC (Big Ten Conference)
Steve Sarkisian, University of Texas (Southeastern Conference)
Morgan Scalley, University of Utah (Big 12 Conference)
Kalani Sitake, BYU (Big 12 Conference)
Kirby Smart, University of Georgia (Southeastern Conference)
Will Stein, University of Kentucky (Southeastern Conference)
In addition to the Coach of the Year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will also present Conference Coach of the Year Awards from each of the Power Four collegiate athletic conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference) and one from the combined Group of Six conferences (American Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, Pac-12 conference, and Sun Belt Conference) and Independent teams.
The National Coach of the Year Award is one of five honors presented annually during the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas. This year’s ceremony, in its 41st year, will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, in Houston and will air on CBS Sports Network. Bruce Arians, NFL Super Bowl-winning and college head coach, has been selected as the Heart of a Champion Award winner, and Jackie Sherrill, two-time NCAA national championship head coach, has been named the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, while the Fan Favorite and Newcomer Coach of the Year Awards will be announced live at the show.
The Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards support the American Heart Association by raising funds and awareness to advance lifesaving research and improve cardiovascular health.
Fans can follow the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards and track progress of the awards at facebook.com/bryantawards, Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards (@bryantawards) on X or by following the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend an exclusive virtual VIP experience for the Bryant Awards, contact 832-918-4009 or visit bryantawards.org.