Cougars' coach Tom Herman named finalist for Bear Bryant Award

HOUSTON – University of Houston head football coach Tom Herman was named one of the finalists for the 2015 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award.

The American  Heart  Association (AHA) and  title  sponsor  Marathon  Oil Corporation  announced the finalists for the award based on the following coaches’ performance on and off the field this season.

The finalists for the coveted award also include: Larry Fedora (North  Carolina), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Ken Niumatalolo (Navy), Nick Saban (Alabama), David Shaw (Stanford) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson).

In his first season as a head coach, Herman guided the Cougars to a 12-1 finish that included winning the American Athletic Conference title game.

As finalists, these coaches join an elite group of men recognized for their outstanding leadership in the 

college football arena. Finalists will attend the 30th anniversary awards banquet on Jan. 13, 2016, at the 

Hilton Americas Houston, where the winner will be announced live.

The American Heart Association’s Paul  “Bear”  Bryant  Coach  of  the Year  Award  is the  only  college  coaching  honor determined  after  all bowl games are concluded and is voted on by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA).

The 2014 winner was Gary Patterson of TCU. 

Mack Brown, former longtime University of Texas at  Austin head football coach, will be the recipient 

of the 2016  Lifetime  Achievement Award.  Among  the  past  recipients  of  the  Lifetime  Achievement 

Award are Jimmy Johnson (2015), R.C. Slocum (2014),LaVell Edwards (2013) and Hayden Fry (2012).