It’s a long list but still better to be on it than not
After starting his Texas A&M tenure 5-1 and 3-0 in SEC play, Aggie Head Coach Mike Elko is one of 27 coaches who has been named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List.
Coach Elko has been named to the ᴘᴀᴜʟ ʙᴇᴀʀ ʙʀʏᴀɴᴛ ᴄᴏᴀᴄʜ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴇᴀʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ʟɪꜱᴛ #GigEm | @CoachMikeElko | @bryantawards pic.twitter.com/QshgSDcG7x
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) October 16, 2024
The award, given each January to a college football coach, recognizes 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.
The 2024 Watch List includes:
- Bret Bielema – University of Illinois
- Matt Campbell – Iowa State University
- Jamey Chadwell – Liberty University
- Curt Cignetti – Indiana University
- Mario Cristobal – University of Miami
- Spencer Danielson – Boise State University
- Ryan Day – Ohio State University
- Kalen DeBoer – University of Alabama
- Kenny Dillingham – Arizona State University
- Mike Elko – Texas A&M University
- James Franklin – Pennsylvania State University
- Marcus Freeman – University of Notre Dame
- Josh Heupel – University of Tennessee
- Brian Kelly – Louisiana State University
- Chris Klieman – Kansas State University
- Dan Lanning – University of Oregon
- Rhett Lashlee – Southern Methodist University
- Clark Lea – Vanderbilt University
- Joey McGuire – Texas Tech University
- Jeff Monken – United States Military Academy (Army)
- Pat Narduzzi – University of Pittsburgh
- Brian Newberry – United States Naval Academy (Navy)
- Steve Sarkisian – University of Texas
- Kalani Sitake – Brigham Young University
- Kirby Smart – University of Georgia
- Dabo Swinney – Clemson University
- Bryant Vincent – University of Louisiana Monroe
In addition to the Coach of the Year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will also present Conference Coach of the Year Awards from each of the Power Four collegiate athletic conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference) and one from the combined Group of Five conferences (American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference and Sun Belt Conference), the Pac-12 and independent teams.
The Coach of the Year award winner will be announced live from Houston’s Post Oak Hotel on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.