Fresno State football Head Coach Matt Entz has been recognized as a contender for the 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award. This honor, presented by the American Heart Association, has been celebrating college coaching excellence for four decades, while simultaneously raising awareness about heart health in honor of the legendary coach Bear Bryant, who passed away from a heart attack in 1983.
Entz is among 28 coaches nationwide named to the watch list, representing a select group of leaders in college football. He is one of only two coaches from the Mountain West Conference to make the list, alongside Dan Mullen of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels. Mullen’s impressive leadership has guided the Rebels to an unbeaten 6-0 record, placing them at the pinnacle of the Mountain West standings.
Currently, Entz’s Bulldogs hold a 5-2 overall record with a 2-1 mark in conference play, tying them for fourth place in the Mountain West. Before taking the reins at Fresno State, Entz honed his skills at the University of Southern California under acclaimed Head Coach Lincoln Riley, who is also featured on the watch list. Additionally, former Fresno State Head Coach Kalen DeBoer, now leading the University of Alabama, has received the same recognition.
The American Heart Association presents the Conference Coach of the Year Awards for the Power Four conferences, along with a representative from the combined Group of Five conferences, which includes the Mountain West. The recipient of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be honored during a ceremony on January 21, 2026. This recognition not only shines a light on coaching talent but also emphasizes the importance of health awareness in sports.