Kalen DeBoer 1 of 22 Power Conference coaches on Bear Bryant watchlist

The black hoodie is paying off. The Crimson Tide has gone 5-1 to start the season, and Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has been named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant 2025 Coach of the Year watch list, as just one of 28 college head coaches to receive the honor.

DeBoer, alongside 22 Power Conference head coaches and one of just nine SEC coaches on the list, earned this just halfway through his second season with the Tide, following a disappointing 9-4 first year with the program.

Now, with an undefeated start to the conference season under his belt, DeBoer is on the path to return the Alabama football program to its truest glory.

2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant 2025 Coach of the Year Award watch list

• Bret Bielema – University of Illinois – Big Ten
• Curt Cignetti – Indiana University – Big Ten
• Mario Cristobal – University of Miami – ACC
• Ryan Day – The Ohio State University – Big Ten
• Kalen DeBoer – University of Alabama – SEC
• Eliah Drinkwitz – University of Missouri – SEC
• Tony Elliott – University of Virginia - ACC
• Mike Elko – Texas A&M University – SEC
• Matt Entz – Fresno State – Mountain West
• Willie Fritz – University of Houston – Big 12
• Alex Golesh – University of South Florida – ACC
• Josh Heupel – University of Tennessee – SEC
• Brian Kelly – LSU – SEC
• Brent Key –Georgia Tech - ACC
• Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss – SEC
• Dan Lanning – University of Oregon – Big Ten
• Clark Lea – Vanderbilt University – SEC
• Joey McGuire – Texas Tech University – Big 12
• Dan Mullen – UNLV – Mountain West
• Brian Newberry – Navy – American Athletic
• Lincoln Riley – USC – Big Ten
• Scott Satterfield – University of Cincinnati – Big 12
• Ryan Silverfield – University of Memphis – ACC
• Kalani Sitake – BYU – Big 12
• Kirby Smart – University of Georgia – SEC
• Jon Sumrall – Tulane University – ACC
• Brent Venables – University of Oklahoma – SEC
• Kyle Whittingham – University of Utah – Big 12

Fellow SEC head coaches alongside DeBoer on the watchlist are Missouri's Eliah Drinkwitz, Texas A&M's Mike Elko, Tennessee's Josh Heupel, LSU's Brian Kelly, Ole Miss's Lane Kiffin, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea, Georgia's Kirby Smart, and Oklahoma's Brent Venables.

The only non-Power Conference head coaches on the list are Fresno State's Matt Entz, UNLV's Dan Mullen, and Navy's Brian Newberry.

Last year, Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman received the award after leading the Fighting Irish to a 14-2 overall record, including a run to the National Championship game.