HOUSTON, TX — Two Texas college football coaches were recently named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award watchlist, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards announced on Wednesday.
Texas Tech's Joey McGuire and Texas A&M's Mike Elko received the honor for their performances for their respective football teams so far this season.
Texas Tech: Joey McGuire
McGuire has guided the Red Raiders to a No. 7 national ranking in the latest Associated Press poll and a perfect 6-0 record entering Saturday’s road matchup at Arizona State. It marks the program’s best start since 2013 and places Texas Tech among just 11 remaining undefeated teams in college football.
The Red Raiders haven’t simply won — they’ve dominated. Texas Tech leads the nation with an average margin of victory of 35.3 points per game and has yet to trail in a contest this season. The Red Raiders are also the first Big 12 team since Baylor in 2015 to open 6-0 while maintaining a point differential above 35.
Texas Tech’s success has been fueled by balance on both sides of the ball. The Red Raiders are one of only two FBS teams — alongside Indiana — to rank in the top 10 nationally in both scoring and total offense, as well as scoring and total defense.
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Scoring Offense: 2nd nationally (47.5 points per game)
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Total Offense: 1st nationally (558.2 yards per game)
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Scoring Defense: 4th nationally (17.0 points per game or fewer in every game)
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Total Defense: 9th nationally
Texas Tech is also the only team in the country ranked in the top 15 in both passing offense (3rd, 325.3 yards per game) and rushing offense (14th, 232.8 yards per game).
Texas Tech's Joey McGuire (Left) and Texas A&M's Mike Elko (Right)
Texas A&M: Mike Elko
Elko has led the Aggies to a 6-0 overall record in 2025, which matches the team's best start since 2016. The Aggies are 3-0 in SEC play heading into their Week 8 matchup at Arkansas on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Texas A&M is one of only six FBS teams nationally ranked in the top 25 in total offense and total defense. The Aggies climbed to No. 4 overall in the national rankings with hopes of a title this season.
Texas A&M hired Elko two years ago to replace the previous head coach, Jimbo Fisher. So far, Elko has compiled a 14-5 overall record and an 8-3 mark in SEC play. The Aggies are 10-2 at Kyle field under Elko's tenure.
About the award:
The award is given each January to a college football coach for 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.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
Now in its 40th year, the Coach of the Year award winner will be presented Wednesday, January 21, 2026 during the Association's annual Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony, in Houston, Texas. The ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
The watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.
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