HOUSTON, Jan. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Coach Dabo
Swinney took home the title of the college football Coach of the
Year at the American Heart Association's 33rd annual
Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards presented by Marathon Oil Corporation
Wednesday. Swinney is the first coach in the Bryant Awards history
to win the award three times.
The first to also win the award in consecutive years—2015 and
2016—Swinney has led Clemson to eight
straight seasons of at least 10 wins, along with five ACC titles,
seven ACC Atlantic Division titles and 11 straight bowl appearances
since 2008. Dabo Swinney's 11
seasons as Clemson head coach have
propelled him among the greatest to walk the Tigers' sideline in
the program's 122 years. The Clemson
Tigers won their second National Championship under Swinney on
Monday when they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, 44–16.
"You know it's been a great year when you get invited to this
event," Swinney said. "It's an honor to be here with Coach Beamer.
He is one of the best men in this business. Coach Bryant built men
through the game of football, and that's just what I try to do."
Swinney went on to discuss the Tigers' season and his perspective
on coaching. "It was a special season for us with a special team.
To be the first team in the modern history of college football to
be 15-0…but it's not just that we won, it's how we won. What
matters more than anything is the journey. That's what's special.
Coaching is a calling. I believe that God put me on this green
Earth to coach, and I thank the good Lord."
The winner of this coveted annual award was selected by the
National Sports Media Association, formerly known as National
Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. It is the only college
coaching honor presented after all bowl games are concluded and
recognizes an elite group of coaches for their distinguished
leadership on and off the field.
Representing the country's finest college football coaches, 2018
award finalists were: Bill Clark –
University of Alabama-Birmingham,
Josh Heupel – University of Central Florida, Brian Kelly – Notre
Dame, Jeff Monken – Army West
Point, Nick Saban – University of Alabama, Dabo
Swinney – Clemson University and
Jeff Tedford – Fresno State University.
The Bryant Awards also recognized 2019 Lifetime Achievement
Award winner Frank Beamer, who
coached the Virginia Tech Hokies for 29 years, retiring in
2015. Last year, in his first year of eligibility, Beamer
entered the National Football Hall of Fame and he is one of just 13
who serve on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. In
2017, he won the coveted Nyland Trophy for his contributions to the
game – an award that Bear Bryant himself received in
1983.
Beamer's record includes four Atlantic Coast Championships, five
ACC Coastal Division Crowns, three Big East Conference titles, six
BCS appearances, two "major bowl" victories and a trip to the
national championship game in 2000. Before returning to his alma
mater, he served as head coach at Murray
State from 1981 to 1986.
Sports aficionados who were unable to attend the Bryant Awards
had the opportunity to watch the ceremony live on FOX College Sports. It will re-air on various FOX
Sports affiliates in the next month. Funds raised from the Bryant
Awards benefit American Heart Association research, advocacy and
educational programs across the country aimed at the prevention and
treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Marathon Oil Corporation has served as the presenting sponsor of
the Bryant Awards for the past ten years, underscoring the
Company's commitment to health and wellness. The Company strives to
partner with local organizations to recognize and advance important
public health initiatives in the communities where it operates.
For a recap of the fun, be sure to check out
www.bryantawards.com and join the conversation by following
#bryantawards and facebook.com/bryantawards.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a
world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of
lifesaving work, the Dallas-based
association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We
are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart
health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous
organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative
research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share
lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on
heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling
1-800-AHA-USA1.
About Marathon Oil Corporation
Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) is an independent
exploration and production company based in Houston. For more
information, please visit the Company's website at
www.marathonoil.com.
Media Contacts:
American Heart Association
Esther Schinzler,
Esther.Schinzler@heart.org, 832.918.4046
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SOURCE American Heart Association