10/21/2026 3:30:00 PM | Football
Cougars head coach has led program to top 15 ranking for first time since 2016
HOUSTON – For the second consecutive season, Houston Football head coach Willie Fritz was named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List by the American Heart Association.
A 2022 Bear Bryant Award finalist, Fritz has led the Cougars to six wins in its first seven games, for the second consecutive year and has ascended Houston into the Top 15 nationally for the first time since 2016.
Houston has dominated on the ground over the first seven games of the season under Fritz's philosophies, averaging 220 yards per game – 17th most nationally, while allowing just 82.6 rushing yards per game on defense – sixth fewest nationally.
Fritz is one of three Big 12 Conference coaches to be named to the list after leading the Cougars to a 6-1 start and a ranked win for the third consecutive year.
Cougar fans can vote for Coach Fritz to help him be named the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year by voting here.
The 2026 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):
David Braun, Northwestern University (Big Ten Conference)
Troy Calhoun, Air Force (Mountain West Conference)
Bob Chesney, UCLA (Big Ten Conference)
Curt Cignetti, Indiana University (Big Ten Conference)
Mario Cristobal, University of Miami (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Spencer Danielson, Boise State University (Pac-12 Conference)
Ryan Day, Ohio State University (Big Ten Conference)
Kalen DeBoer, University of Alabama (Southeastern Conference)
Jake Dickert, Wake Forest University (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Eli Drinkwitz, University of Missouri (Southeastern Conference)
Jason Eck, University of New Mexico (Mountain West Conference)
Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa (Big Ten Conference)
Marcus Freeman, University of Notre Dame (Independent)
Willie Fritz, University of Houston (Big 12 Conference)
Pete Golding, University of Mississippi (Southeastern Conference)
Josh Heupel, University of Tennessee (Southeastern Conference)
Charles Huff, University of Memphis (American Athletic Conference)
Rhett Lashlee, Southern Methodist University (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech University (Big 12 Conference)
Eric Morris, Oklahoma State University (Big 12 Conference)
Billy Napier, James Madison University (Sun Belt Conference)
Tim Polasek, North Dakota State University (Mountain West Conference)
Lincoln Riley, USC (Big Ten Conference)
Steve Sarkisian, University of Texas (Southeastern Conference)
Morgan Scalley, University of Utah (Big 12 Conference)
Kalani Sitake, BYU (Big 12 Conference)
Kirby Smart, University of Georgia (Southeastern Conference)
Will Stein, University of Kentucky (Southeastern Conference)
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
A 2022 Bear Bryant Award finalist, Fritz has led the Cougars to six wins in its first seven games, for the second consecutive year and has ascended Houston into the Top 15 nationally for the first time since 2016.
Houston has dominated on the ground over the first seven games of the season under Fritz's philosophies, averaging 220 yards per game – 17th most nationally, while allowing just 82.6 rushing yards per game on defense – sixth fewest nationally.
Fritz is one of three Big 12 Conference coaches to be named to the list after leading the Cougars to a 6-1 start and a ranked win for the third consecutive year.
Cougar fans can vote for Coach Fritz to help him be named the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year by voting here.
The 2026 Watch List includes (in alphabetical order):
David Braun, Northwestern University (Big Ten Conference)
Troy Calhoun, Air Force (Mountain West Conference)
Bob Chesney, UCLA (Big Ten Conference)
Curt Cignetti, Indiana University (Big Ten Conference)
Mario Cristobal, University of Miami (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Spencer Danielson, Boise State University (Pac-12 Conference)
Ryan Day, Ohio State University (Big Ten Conference)
Kalen DeBoer, University of Alabama (Southeastern Conference)
Jake Dickert, Wake Forest University (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Eli Drinkwitz, University of Missouri (Southeastern Conference)
Jason Eck, University of New Mexico (Mountain West Conference)
Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa (Big Ten Conference)
Marcus Freeman, University of Notre Dame (Independent)
Willie Fritz, University of Houston (Big 12 Conference)
Pete Golding, University of Mississippi (Southeastern Conference)
Josh Heupel, University of Tennessee (Southeastern Conference)
Charles Huff, University of Memphis (American Athletic Conference)
Rhett Lashlee, Southern Methodist University (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech University (Big 12 Conference)
Eric Morris, Oklahoma State University (Big 12 Conference)
Billy Napier, James Madison University (Sun Belt Conference)
Tim Polasek, North Dakota State University (Mountain West Conference)
Lincoln Riley, USC (Big Ten Conference)
Steve Sarkisian, University of Texas (Southeastern Conference)
Morgan Scalley, University of Utah (Big 12 Conference)
Kalani Sitake, BYU (Big 12 Conference)
Kirby Smart, University of Georgia (Southeastern Conference)
Will Stein, University of Kentucky (Southeastern Conference)
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
Monday, October 19
Saturday, October 17
Monday, October 12
Saturday, October 10