James Franklin Named To Bear Bryant Award Watch List
James Franklin was one of 27 head coaches named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award watch list, which honors the college football coach of the season.
The official Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards 2024 Coach of the Year Watch List has been released! Did your coach make the list?
— Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards (@bryantawards) October 16, 2024– https://t.co/rrcJ1G9xg9
The Coach of the Year will be announced January 22, 2025 at the 39th annual #BryantAwards ceremony presented by @MarathonOil! pic.twitter.com/oALKu7DIz8
The award “recognizes contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life — both on and off the field.”
Franklin has Penn State off to a 6-0 start and No. 3 ranking in the AP Poll. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 33-30 overtime win at USC, two weeks after a win over then-No. 19 Illinois at Beaver Stadium.
Franklin is one of five Big Ten coaches named to the list. The others are Illinois’ Bret Bielema, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, and Oregon’s Dan Lanning.
The 39th winner of the award will be announced on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas.
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