Silverfield Named to Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head football coach Ryan Silverfield has been named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year watch list, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
Twenty-eight college football coaches make up the American Heart Association’s 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, a list of current coaches in consideration for the annual top honor. The award is given each January to 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.
Silverfield has led the Tigers to a 6-0 start this season, the best since the 2015 season, and was the first program this season to become bowl eligible. During his time at the helm at Memphis, Silverfield has racked up 48 wins – the most by any Memphis coach in that span – and has helped the Tigers to 11 consecutive bowl appearances, the seventh-longest active streak nationally and the longest outside Power Four conferences.
This season, Memphis is ranked in the top 25 in the nation in red zone offense (1st), passes intercepted (6th), defensive touchdowns (9th), rushing offense (10th), teams tackles for loss (11th), scoring offense and red zone defense (13th), rushing defense (15th), time of possession and scoring defense (16th), punt return defense (17th), fewest penalties (19th) and first downs defense (25th).
Silverfield is one of four American Conference coaches named to the list, including Alex Golesh (South Florida), Brian Newberry (Navy) and Jon Sumrall (Tulane).
Now in its 40th year, the Coach of the Year award winner will be presented Wednesday, January 21, 2026 during the Association’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony, in Houston, Texas. The ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
The watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.
The 2025 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):
Bret Bielema – University of Illinois – Big Ten Conference
Curt Cignetti – Indiana University – Big Ten Conference
Mario Cristobal – University of Miami – Atlantic Coast Conference
Ryan Day – The Ohio State University – Big Ten Conference
Kalen DeBoer – University of Alabama – Southeastern Conference
Eliah Drinkwitz – University of Missouri – Southeastern Conference
Tony Elliott – University of Virginia - Atlantic Coast Conference
Mike Elko – Texas A&M University – Southeastern Conference
Matt Entz – Fresno State University – Mountain West Conference
Willie Fritz – University of Houston – Big 12 Conference
Alex Golesh – University of South Florida – American Conference
Josh Heupel – University of Tennessee – Southeastern Conference
Brian Kelly – Louisiana State University – Southeastern Conference
Brent Key – Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) - Atlantic Coast Conference
Lane Kiffin – University of Mississippi – Southeastern Conference
Dan Lanning – University of Oregon – Big Ten Conference
Clark Lea – Vanderbilt University – Southeastern Conference
Joey McGuire – Texas Tech University – Big 12 Conference
Dan Mullen – University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Mountain West Conference
Brian Newberry – United States Naval Academy – American Conference
Lincoln Riley – University of Southern California – Big Ten Conference
Scott Satterfield – University of Cincinnati – Big 12 Conference
Ryan Silverfield – University of Memphis – American Conference
Kalani Sitake – Brigham Young University – Big 12 Conference
Kirby Smart – University of Georgia – Southeastern Conference
Jon Sumrall – Tulane University – American Conference
Brent Venables – University of Oklahoma – Southeastern Conference
Kyle Whittingham – University of Utah – Big 12 Conference