Houston, October 13, 2025 — Phillip Fulmer, who led the University of Tennessee to two Southeastern Conference championships and the inaugural BCS national championship, is the recipient of the American Heart Association's 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor is presented annually to college football's top coaches in recognition of their outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions during their careers. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the association's annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in Houston, Texas. The ceremony is hosted by Memorial Hermann Health System and will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force transforming the future of health for everyone around the world, presents the Bear Bryant Award each year to recognize excellence in coaching, honor Coach Bryant's legacy, and raise awareness and critical funding for its mission. The legendary coach died of a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days before he finally won and retired.
“Coach Fulmer touched the lives of countless young people, and we congratulate him on his accomplishments,” said American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown. “Recognizing the storied career of an outstanding coach honors Paul “Bear” Bryant and his achievements. Funds raised by the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Awards will help the American Heart Association continue its efforts to better diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors coaches who have achieved outstanding career achievements on and off the football field. This is the 27th year of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented based on three criteria areas determined by the Bryant family and voted on by the National Sports Media Association:
- Integrity and integrity, both on and off the field, are above reproach.
- Leadership, dedication and developing character, integrity and sportsmanship in young people on and off the football field, and
- Provide inspiration and guidance for the development of players' game skills and physical fitness.
“I am extremely honored to receive the Bear Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors Coach Bryant's amazing legacy and accomplishments,” Fulmer said. “I grew up watching and admiring Coach Kobe throughout his entire career, and I am honored to receive this award named after him and those who have received it in the past. I also admire all the great work the American Heart Association does for our country. It is a wonderful and much-needed organization.”
Fulmer joins a list of great college football coaches that includes Grant Teefe (2025), Lloyd Carr (2024), Bob Stoops (2023), John Robinson (2022), Howard Shellenberger (2021), Bill Snyder (2020) and Frank Beamer (2019).
Fulmer, one of the most outstanding coaches in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history, took over as Tennessee's head coach in 1992 and compiled a 152-52 record in 17 seasons. Under his guidance, the Volunteers won SEC championships in 1997 and 1998 and used a perfect record in 1998 to lead Tennessee to its inaugural BCS national championship after defeating Florida State in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl.
Tennessee had 10 or more wins in nine of his 17 seasons at the helm of the Tennessee program. Fulmer's Volunteers performed best in friendlies at Neyland Stadium, going 88-19 at home during his tenure.
More than 90 former players under Fulmer ended up playing in the National Football League, with 70 earning first-team Southeastern Conference honors. Fulmer coached two William V. Campbell Trophy winners in Peyton Manning and Michael Munoz, and 19 of Fulmer's players were selected to the All-America First Team.
Fulmer, a native of Winchester, Tenn., was an offensive lineman for the Volunteers from 1969-71, eventually being named co-captain and earning All-Southeastern Conference honors.
In recognition of his achievements at Tennessee, Fulmer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of five honors presented annually at the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony. This year's awards ceremony will be held. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, additional awards will be presented including the Heart of Champions Award, Fan Favorite Award, Rookie Coach of the Year Award and the 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Fans can follow the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards and track its progress at facebook.com/bryantawards, twitter.com/bryantawards Or follow the hashtag #BryantAwards. To participate in an exclusive virtual VIP experience with the Bryant Awards, please contact 832-918-4009 or visit bryantawards.org.
Spanish press release
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a tireless force working toward a longer, healthier world. The organization works to ensure equitable health for all communities and has been a leading source of health information for more than 100 years. With the support of more than 35 million volunteers around the world, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for public health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy and care, we work tirelessly every day to advance health and transform lives. Contact us at heart.org, Facebook, X or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Media enquiries:
Paul Smith: [email protected]
Steven Embree: [email protected]
Public enquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org