HOUSTON — For the third year in a row, BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake has been named a watchlist candidate for the prestigious Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award.
Presented by the American Heart Association and the Bryant family, the award is given each January to a college football 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.
In his 11th year at BYU and 26th overall season as a college football coach, Sitake leads the program he once played for in 1994 and 1997-2000 under legendary College Football Hall of Fame coach LaVell Edwards.
With its 28-24 win over Notre Dame last Saturday, BYU improved to 6-0 to start the season for the fourth time in the past seven seasons under Sitake, and third year in a row.
Now in his 11th season as head coach, Sitake has guided the Cougars to a 90-45 record and is 31-4 since 2024. Last week, he was named one of 18 candidates for the 2026 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Trophy. In mid-September Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association named Sitake the honorary coach of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing his commitment to service, academic achievement and athletic excellence.
Following the 2025 football season, Sitake was named the Chuck Neinas Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year after guiding BYU to a 12-2 record and No. 11 final ranking. He was also honored as winner of the 2025 Buddy Teevens Award, recognizing outstanding achievement on the field and exceptional leadership that leaves a lasting impact on players, coaches and the game of football at large.
The Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award recipient is voted on by the National Sports Media Association and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, comprised of members of the Bryant family and community leaders who come together to support the campaign. Sitake is one of 28 football coaches on the 2026 watchllist for the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award.
The winner of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be announced in January. The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2027, in Houston and will air on CBS Sports Network.