BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake has been named a watchlist candidate for the Paul Bear Bryant National Coach of the Year Award for the third consecutive year, according to a October 21 statement.
Sitake is one of 28 football coaches included on the 2026 watchlist for the award, which is presented by the American Heart Association and the Bryant family.
The award is given annually in January to a college football coach whose contributions improve the sport for athletes and fans through a winning approach to coaching and life. The recipient is selected via a vote by the National Sports Media Association and the Paul Bear Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, which includes members of the Bryant family and community leaders.
Sitake is currently in his 11th season as head coach at BYU and his 26th overall season as a college football coach. He previously played for the program in 1994 and 1997-2000 under former coach LaVell Edwards.
Under Sitake's leadership, the Cougars have achieved a 90-45 record and have gone 31-4 since 2024. Following a 28-24 victory over Notre Dame last Saturday, the team improved to a 6-0 start for the season, marking the fourth time in seven seasons and the third consecutive year the program has started 6-0.
Sitake's recent accolades include being named one of 18 candidates for the 2026 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Trophy last week. In mid-September, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association named him the honorary coach of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Sitake's previous honors include being named the Chuck Neinas Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year following the 2025 football season, after leading BYU to a 12-2 record and a No. 11 final ranking. He was also the winner of the 2025 Buddy Teevens Award for leadership and achievement on the field.
The winner of the Paul Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be announced in January. An awards ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2027, in Houston, which will air on CBS Sports Network.
