Fritz Named to Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List

HOUSTON – In his second season as Houston Football's Head Coach, Willie Fritz has lifted the Cougars to its most wins in a season since joining the Big 12 Conference with six games remaining and has been named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List by the American Heart Association on Wednesday.

The 2023 Bear Bryant Award winner, Fritz has led the Cougars to five wins in its first six games, one win from a bowl game berth for the first time since 2022.

One of 28 head coaches on the watch list, Fritz's Cougars started the season 4-0 for the first time since 2016 and are 5-1 after they posted their biggest win in a Big 12 game when they dispatched Oklahoma State 39-17 on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.

Fritz is one of five Big 12 coaches on the watch list and is on the list for the first time as the Cougars head coach and first since 2023 while at his previous school.

Under his guidance, Fritz's Cougars defensive efficiency ranks 19th nationally (78.2) thanks to a scoring defense that ranks 23rd nationally, only allowing 17.5 points per game.

The 2025 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):
Bret Bielema – University of Illinois – Big Ten Conference
Curt Cignetti – Indiana University – Big Ten Conference
Mario Cristobal – University of Miami – Atlantic Coast Conference
Ryan Day – The Ohio State University – Big Ten Conference
Kalen DeBoer – University of Alabama – Southeastern Conference
Eliah Drinkwitz – University of Missouri – Southeastern Conference
Tony Elliott – University of Virginia - Atlantic Coast Conference
Mike Elko – Texas A&M University – Southeastern Conference
Matt Entz – Fresno State University – Mountain West Conference
Willie Fritz – University of Houston – Big 12 Conference
Alex Golesh – University of South Florida – American Athletic Conference
Josh Heupel – University of Tennessee – Southeastern Conference
Brian Kelly – Louisiana State University – Southeastern Conference
Brent Key – Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) - Atlantic Coast Conference
Lane Kiffin – University of Mississippi – Southeastern Conference
Dan Lanning – University of Oregon – Big Ten Conference
Clark Lea – Vanderbilt University – Southeastern Conference
Joey McGuire – Texas Tech University – Big 12 Conference
Dan Mullen – University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Mountain West Conference
Brian Newberry – United States Naval Academy – American Athletic Conference
Lincoln Riley – University of Southern California – Big Ten Conference
Scott Satterfield – University of Cincinnati – Big 12 Conference
Ryan Silverfield – University of Memphis – American Athletic Conference
Kalani Sitake – Brigham Young University – Big 12 Conference
Kirby Smart – University of Georgia – Southeastern Conference
Jon Sumrall – Tulane University – American Athletic Conference
Brent Venables – University of Oklahoma – Southeastern Conference
Kyle Whittingham – University of Utah – Big 12 Conference

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