Gary Patterson Of Texas Christian University Named 2014 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach Of The Year

HOUSTON, Jan. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gary Patterson of Texas Christian University (TCU) takes the 2014 Coach of the Year title at the American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards presented by Marathon Oil Corporation. 

With a 2014 winning record of 12-1, leading the Frogs through a winning season that ended with the taking home the 2014 Peach Bowl, Gary Patterson claimed the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach Of The Year Award to a packed house of over 600 guests in Houston. Patterson who has served for the past 15 years as the head coach of TCU finished as Big 12 co-champions and ended an extraordinary season.

"To be part of a great hope and a great legacy like the one Coach Bryant built with his programs and like every coach that has come after him is truly special," Patterson continued to say. "I can't fully put into words what it means to me to be part of something so special."

The Coach of the Year winner is selected each year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and announced live at the awards dinner. The award recognizes excellence in coaching both on and off the field while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke for the American Heart Association.

The finalists competing with Gary Patterson for the Coach of the Year Award included: Hugh Freeze (Ole Miss) and Bryan Harsin (Boise State). The annual event also recognized Jimmy Johnson, the well- known architect of the Dallas Cowboys' consecutive victories in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII. He was the first person, and one of only two in football history, to serve as head coach for a Super Bowl champion and a national collegiate champion.

Funds raised from the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards benefit research, community education and outreach programs of the American Heart Association. For more information, contact 713-610-5000 or visit www.bryantawards.com. Follow the Bryant Awards on Twitter at @ahahouston or Facebook at www.facebook.com/ahahouston.

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.

The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association is the largest national association that focuses on the crafts of both sportscasting and sportswriting. The association, with its headquarters in Salisbury, N.C., honors the National Sportscaster of the Year and the National Sportswriter of the Year.

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

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150115/169335

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SOURCE American Heart Association Houston Division