HOUSTON-Tuesday, Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham was named a finalist for the 2001 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award, announced today by the American Heart Association.

Whittingham was also named as the Bryant Pac-12 Coach of the Year Award recipient and is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

At 144-69 (.676) in 18 years at Utah, Whittingham is the Utes’ all-time leader in wins.

Under Whittingham this season, the Utes rank 14th nationally in rushing offense (261.1 yards per game) and 12th in total defense (315.4 yards per game).

Whittingham was named as the American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year and the Bear Bryant Award winner in 2008 and the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year in 2019.

Other finalists for this award include the following:

Dave Aranda-Baylor

Dave Clawson-Wake Forest

Luke Fickell-Cincinnati

Jim Harbaugh-Michigan

Lane Kiffin-Mississippi

Pat Narduzzi-Pittsburgh

Nick Saban-Alabama

Mel Tucker-Michigan State