American Heart Association Announces 2015 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Finalists

HOUSTON, Dec. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association (AHA) and title sponsor Marathon Oil Corporation are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2015 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award. Based on the following coaches' performance on and off the field this season, nominees for the coveted award include: Larry Fedora (North Carolina), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Tom Herman (Houston), Ken Niumatalolo (Navy), Nick Saban (Alabama), David Shaw (Stanford) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson).

As finalists, these coaches join an elite group of men recognized for their outstanding leadership in the college football arena. Finalists will attend the 30^th anniversary awards banquet on Jan. 13, 2016, at the Hilton Americas Houston, where the winner will be announced live. The American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award is the only college coaching honor determined after all bowl games are concluded and is voted on by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA). The 2014 winner was Gary Patterson of TCU.

Mack Brown, former longtime University of Texas at Austin head football coach and current ESPN commentator, will be the recipient of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. Among the past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are Jimmy Johnson (2015), R.C. Slocum (2014), LaVell Edwards (2013) and Hayden Fry (2012).

Since 1986, the Bryant Awards have raised more than $6 million for the American Heart Association to fund research, advocacy and educational programs across the country aimed at the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Bryant himself died of a heart attack in 1983.  The 2016 event marks the 30^th anniversary of the American Heart Association's involvement.

For more information, or to purchase tickets or a table for the event, contact 832-918-4030 or visit www.bryantawards.com.  Join the conversation on social media by following @ahahouston and #bryantawards. 

About The 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. 5 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 2014 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:
Apiyo Obala, 832-918-4039, Apiyo.obala@heart.org 
Shelly Millwee, 832-918-4035, shelly.millwee@heart.org

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SOURCE American Heart Association