Curt Cignetti caps historic Indiana turnaround with Bear Bryant Coach of the Year honor
Curt Cignetti, head coach at Indiana University, has been named the 2025 national Coach of the Year, winning the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award presented by Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System and benefiting the American Heart Association. The honor was announced Tuesday in Houston as part of the 40th annual awards program recognizing excellence in college football coaching while raising funds and awareness for heart and brain health.
In just his second season in Bloomington, Cignetti engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college football history, guiding the Hoosiers to their first national championship and a perfect 16-0 season in 2025. Indiana's title run was highlighted by a dominant championship victory over Miami, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was named the game's Most Outstanding Player.
"This award upholds Coach Bryant's legacy by celebrating exceptional leadership and excellence," American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown said, noting the partnership with the Bryant family to advance the organization's lifesaving mission.
Cignetti called the recognition a team honor, crediting his senior class and the culture built throughout the program. He also emphasized the importance of supporting the American Heart Association's work, which has been linked to the awards since the mid-1980s following the death of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant from a heart attack.
Presented annually, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards recognize a coach's impact on and off the field, with voting conducted by the National Sports Media Association, current and former NCAA coaches, past winners, the awards' leadership team and the Bryant family. It is the only major college football coaching award determined after the national champion is crowned.
This year's gala will also honor former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the late Mike Leach with the Heart of a Champion Award. Fans participated in the sixth annual Coach of the Year Fan Vote, with James Madison's Bob Chesney earning top honors for the second straight year.
The awards ceremony will air on CBS Sports Network at 12:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. CST on January 22.