American Heart Association And Marathon Oil Corporation Announce 2015 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach Of The Year Finalists

HOUSTON, Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- American Heart Association (AHA) and Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards' Title Sponsor Marathon Oil Corporation are pleased to announce the contenders for the 2014 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award. Based on these coaches' performance on and off the field in 2014, the following college football coaches are finalists for the coveted award:

• Bryan Harsin, Boise State University
• Jimbo Fisher, Florida State University
• Hugh Freeze, University of Mississippi
• Gary Patterson, Texas Christian University
• Nick Saban, University of Alabama

As finalists, these coaches join an elite group of men recognized for their outstanding leadership in the college football arena.  At the 29^th annual event on Wednesday, January 14 in Houston, a season of hard work and triumph will culminate with the finalists narrowed to one when the 2014 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award winner is announced live. The event is the only one of its kind offering an award based on the coach's entire season including the Bowl game. 

The annual awards ceremony brings together the nation's top performing college coaches and sports enthusiasts to raise funds for the AHA, an organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.  Championing the cause as the event's title sponsor again for the sixth consecutive season is Marathon Oil Corporation.

Jimmy Johnson, one of the most respected and accomplished football coaches in NCAA and NFL history, will be a distinguished guest at the event and the recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award recognizes excellence in coaching during a career, allowing recipients to take their place in history alongside legends such as Paul "Bear" Bryant. Among the past recipients of the award are R.C. Slocum (2014), LaVell Edwards (2013) and Hayden Fry (2012).

While it's an exciting night for college football fans and coaches, the Bryant Awards celebration is also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on heart disease and stroke while raising valuable funds to support research of the AHA.  Bryant himself suffered a massive heart attack resulting in his untimely death in 1983.  Since 1986, the Bryant Awards have raised over $5 million for the AHA to fund research, advocacy and educational programs across the country aimed at the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

For more information, or to purchase tickets or a table for the event, contact 713-610-5000 or visit www.bryantawards.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @ahahouston and #bryantawards.

About American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – America's No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.

About Marathon Oil Corporation
 Marathon Oil Corporation MRO is a global exploration and production company. Based in Houston, Texas, the Company had net proved reserves at the end of 2013 of 2.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent in North America, Europe and Africa. For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.marathonoil.com.

Media Contacts:
Shelly Millwee, 713-610-5041 or
shelly.millwee@heart.org
Apiyo Obala, 713-610-5039 or
Apiyo.obala@heart.org

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SOURCE American Heart Association