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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><span style="mso-ignore:vglayout;position:relative;z-index:251658240"><span style="position:absolute;left:0px;top:-42px;width:124px;height:67px"><img width="124" height="67" style="width:1.2916in;height:.6979in" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D5B1AA.D5D30230" alt="A picture containing clipart
Description automatically generated" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<br style="mso-ignore:vglayout" clear="ALL">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">2019 American Heart Association Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards finalists announced
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Award honors top college football coach and raises lifesaving funds and awareness of heart disease and stroke
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif;color:black">HOUSTON</span></b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif;color:black">,
<b>December 12, 2019</b></span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif;color:black"> –
</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Ten college football coaches are the finalists for the 2019 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award. The 34th annual award benefits the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary
health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">The 2019 finalists are (in alphabetical order):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Ryan Day – Ohio State University
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Sonny Dykes – Southern Methodist University
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">P.J. Fleck – University of Minnesota
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">James Franklin – Penn State University
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Ken Niumatalolo – Naval Academy
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Mike Norvell – University of Memphis
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Ed Orgeron – Louisiana State University
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Matt Rhule – Baylor University
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Dabo Swinney – Clemson University
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Kyle Whittingham – University of Utah<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">The winner will be announced live on FOX Sports Southwest and FOX Sports GO Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 during the awards dinner and ceremony at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">The Paul “Bear” Bryant Award recognizes the country’s top college football coaches for their contributions both on and off the field. Notably, the Coach of the Year Award is voted on
by the National Sports Media Association and is the <i>only</i> college coaching honor selected after
<i>all</i> bowl games are concluded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif;color:black">Kansas State University coaching legend Bill Snyder and ESPN College GameDay host Lee Corso will also attend the dinner in January. Snyder will receive the 2020
</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award and Corso will receive the 2020
</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Heart of a Champion Award.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk26977203"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Paul “Bear” Bryant died of a heart attack in 1983. He frequently talked about being a part of something bigger than himself. In the years immediately following
his death, the Bryant family teamed up with the American Heart Association to honor Bryant’s life in a meaningful way. Together, they created the Bryant Awards in his name which have done just that. Behind the scenes, these awards are much bigger than a season
or career success. The awards have become an opportunity to honor coaches with heart both on and off the field, while also bringing awareness to heart disease and stroke – the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers.</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Fans can show their support through the silent auction. Items are available for bidding online now at bearbryantauction2020.ggo.bid. Notable items include use of a Houston Rockets suite,
a VIP NASCAR experience at Texas Motor Speedway and two 15-day Viking River Cruises.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Marathon Oil Corporation has served as the presenting sponsor of the Bryant Awards for more than a decade, underscoring the company’s commitment to health and wellness and supporting
initiatives that promote the well-being of workers and their families in the communities where they operate.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">“</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">This list of phenomenal coaches are all leaders on and off the field, and we welcome them to this elite group,” said
</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Lee Tillman, Marathon Oil president and CEO.
</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">“We’re honored, along with the Bryant family, to support the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association while carrying on Coach Bryant’s legacy.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Fans can follow the finalists, track progress of the awards and be among the first to know who is named coach of the year at
</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bryantawards"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">facebook.com/bryantawards</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">.
</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">To purchase tickets to the Bryant Awards, contact 832-918-4009 or visit
</span><a href="https://bryantawards.org/"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">bryantawards.org</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"> ###
</span><b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">About the American Heart Association<br>
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous
organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect
with us on</span> <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">heart.org</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">,</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanHeart"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">,</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/American_Heart"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Twitter</span></a> <span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">or
by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.</span> <b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">For Media Inquiries:
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">Texas and Houston-area Media Inquiries: Alexis Sims:</span><b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">870-715-5809, </span>
<a href="mailto:alexis.sims@heart.org"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">alexis.sims@heart.org</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">National Media Inquiries: Brooks Lancaster: 212.878.5975,
</span><a href="mailto:brooks.lancaster@heart.org"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">brooks.lancaster@heart.org</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">
</span><b><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"> <o:p>
</o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">For Public Inquiries:</span><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"> 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.heart.org/"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">heart.org</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"> and
</span><a href="http://www.strokeassociation.org/"><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif">strokeassociation.org</span></a><span style="font-family:"Lub Dub Medium",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">___________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Taylor Bryan</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> | Assistant AD for Football External<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Department of Athletics | Baylor University<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">C: 254-709-4411 | O: 254-710-3538<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://baylorbears.com/"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="160" height="44" style="width:1.6666in;height:.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.png@01D5B1AA.D5D30230" alt="cid:image001.png@01D5070F.1E7C3CA0"></span></a><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:black"> </span></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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