Gus Malzahn Of Auburn Named 2013 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach Of The Year

HOUSTON, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gus Malzahn of Auburn takes the 2013 Coach of the Year title at the Marathon Oil Corporation Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards benefiting the American Heart Association. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140116/DC47567)

With a 2013 winning record of 12-1, leading the Tigers to the BCS National Championship Game, Malzahn claimed the coach of the year honor to a packed house of more than 750 guests in Houston. Malzahn, who served as Auburn's offensive coordinator from 2009-11, has had an incredible first season as head coach.  

"It was an unbelievable year to be a part of," Malzahn said. "We got Auburn back to where it should be."

The Coach of the Year winner is selected each year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and announced live at the awards dinner. The award recognizes excellence in coaching both on and off the field while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke for the American Heart Association.

The finalists competing with Malzahn for the Coach of the Year Award included: David Bailiff (Rice), Art Briles (Baylor), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State) and David Shaw (Stanford). 

The 28^th annual event also recognized R.C. Slocum, one of the longest-serving and winningest football coaches in Texas A&M history, as the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Winner.  His 123 victories in his first 14 years ranks eighth all-time and puts him in the company of coaching legends such as Barry Switzer (137), Tom Osborne (137), Steve Spurrier (132), Joe Paterno (131), LaVell Edwards (129), Amos Alonzo Stagg (128), and Bud Wilkerson (124) – many of whom have received recognition from the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards.

Funds raised benefit research, community education and outreach programs of the American Heart Association. For more information, contact 713-610-5000 or visit www.bryantawards.com.

American Heart Association                           
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – America's No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.

About Marathon Oil Corporation                        
 Marathon Oil is an international exploration and production company. Based in Houston, Texas, the Company had net proved reserves at the end of 2012 of 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent in North America, Europe and Africa. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.MarathonOil.com.

The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association is the largest national association that focuses on the crafts of both sportscasting and sportswriting. The association, with its headquarters in Salisbury, N.C., honors the National Sportscaster of the Year and the National Sportswriter of the Year.

Media Contact: Shelly Millwee                             
American Heart Association                         
713-610-5041, [email protected]

SOURCE American Heart Association