Boise State Athletics
Photo by: Kenna Harbison
10/21/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
HOUSTON – Spencer Danielson is one of 28 head coaches named to the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, the American Heart Association announced on Wednesday.
The award is given each January to a head coach known for making the sports better for fans and athletes alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life on and off the field.Â
Danielson is the only Pac-12 coach that earned the midseason recognition. He is one of six Group of Six head coaches that were honored on the watch list.
Following the 2024 campaign, Danielson was one of eight finalists selected for the award. Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman took home the honor that season. Former head coach Chris Petersen is a two-time recipient of the award, claiming the honor in 2006 and 2009.
The recognition marks the second midseason watch list Danielson was named to this season, following his inclusion on the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List last week. At the midway point of the season, he has led the Broncos to a 5-1 record and a spot in both national polls, claiming a No. 21 position in the latest Associated Press Poll and a No. 22 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll. He is looking for his 30th career victory on Oct. 24 against Washington State, entering the game with a 29-9 record.Â
Danielson has led the Broncos to three consecutive conference titles, joining Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma, 2017-19) as the only two coaches to win three consecutive FBS conference titles in the first three seasons of their career.
The National Coach of the Year Award will be one of five honors presented during the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Ceremony in Houston, Texas on Jan. 27, 2027. The awards banquet will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.Â
The award is given each January to a head coach known for making the sports better for fans and athletes alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life on and off the field.Â
Danielson is the only Pac-12 coach that earned the midseason recognition. He is one of six Group of Six head coaches that were honored on the watch list.
Following the 2024 campaign, Danielson was one of eight finalists selected for the award. Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman took home the honor that season. Former head coach Chris Petersen is a two-time recipient of the award, claiming the honor in 2006 and 2009.
The recognition marks the second midseason watch list Danielson was named to this season, following his inclusion on the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List last week. At the midway point of the season, he has led the Broncos to a 5-1 record and a spot in both national polls, claiming a No. 21 position in the latest Associated Press Poll and a No. 22 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll. He is looking for his 30th career victory on Oct. 24 against Washington State, entering the game with a 29-9 record.Â
Danielson has led the Broncos to three consecutive conference titles, joining Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma, 2017-19) as the only two coaches to win three consecutive FBS conference titles in the first three seasons of their career.
The National Coach of the Year Award will be one of five honors presented during the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Ceremony in Houston, Texas on Jan. 27, 2027. The awards banquet will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.Â
Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List
| Coach | School |
| David Braun | Northwestern |
| Troy Calhoun | Air Force |
| Bob Chesney | UCLA |
| Curt Cignetti | Indiana |
| Mario Cristobal | Miami |
| Spencer Danielson | Boise State |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State |
| Kalen DeBoer | Alabama |
| Jake Dickert | Wake Forest |
| Eli Drinkwitz | Missouri |
| Jason Eck | New Mexico |
| Kirk Ferentz | Iowa |
| Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame |
| Willie Fritz | Houston |
| Pete Golding | Ole Miss |
| Josh Huepel | Tennessee |
| Charles Huff | Memphis |
| Rhett Lashlee | SMU |
| Joey McGuire | Texas Tech |
| Eric Morris | Oklahoma State |
| Billy Napier | James Madison |
| Tim Polasek | North Dakota State |
| Lincoln Riley | USC |
| Steve Sarkisian | Texas |
| Morgan Scalley | Utah |
| Kalani Sitake | BYU |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia |
| Will Stein | Kentucky |
Monday, October 26
Monday, October 26
Monday, October 26
Sunday, October 25
