The Lifetime Achievement Award

Learn more about the Lifetime Achievement Award and view all the past years’ recipients.

First awarded in 2000, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the career accomplishments of some of college’s finest football coaches.  The only award of its kind in the college football arena, the award highlights the outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions which have reflected honor and sportsmanship to the game of football throughout the coach’s career.

2013 Lifetime Award Recipient: Lavell Edwards

Considered a legend in the football profession, retired LaVell Edwards is a man of many hats. After 29 years as head coach of the Brigham Young University football team, he ranked third among active coaches and seven in the all-time wins list, with a record of 257 wins, 101 losses and 3 ties. Under his direction, they won a national championship, 19 conference championships, a Heisman Trophy, 2 Outland Trophies, 4 Davey O’Brien Awards, and appeared in 21 bowl games. He has twice been honored as the national coach of the year, many conference and district accolades, and has been feted by a myriad of state and national organizations, not just for his accomplishments on the field, but for the integrity and class he added to the profession.

LaVell is a family man and a man of letters. One of 14 children, he married an only child, Patti Covey. They have been blessed with three accomplished children: John, an orthopedic surgeon; Jim, an attorney; and Ann (Cannon), a writer and columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune. Not content with his bachelors degree from Utah State, he went on to earn his masters degree from the University of Utah and his doctorate from Brigham Young University. He has written several books and articles and is in demand as a speaker and presenter.

Most importantly, LaVell is a man of God. He has served in a wide variety of callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including bishop, priesthood leader, ward public affairs director, and stake high councilman. He and his wife, Patti, served a Public Affairs mission in Manhattan. He has made the difference in hundreds of people’s lives. He lives what he believes.

List of past recipients: