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    College Football Coach of the Year

    Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's winning week continues at the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Awards

    Marcy de Luna
    Jan 13, 2017 | 8:29 am

    Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney’s winning season didn’t end with Monday’s thrill-packed last-second win over Alabama for the College Football National Championship.

    Wednesday evening, Swinney was named college football Coach of the Year at the American Heart Association’s 31st annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, held at downtown's Toyota Center and presented by Marathon Oil Corporation.

    This is the second straight win for Swinney, who is the first coach in the Bryant Awards history to be recognized as Coach of the Year in consecutive seasons (’15 and ’16) and just the second coach to win the award twice. Swinney, who is 52-8 in his last 60 games, coached Clemson to a 14-1 season in 2016 and a 35-31 win over Bama in the championship game.

    The coveted award, named for the distinguished longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team, is bestowed by the National Sports Media Association in recognition of an elite group of coaches for their distinguished leadership on and off the field.

    Swinney, who admitted to a lack of sleep since Monday’s big game, due to excitement and a busy media schedule, accepted the honor in front of a crowd of 800 guests saying, “Coach Bryant to me is one of the greatest givers and that’s how we should be measured — by how much we give not what we take. Coach Bryant was such a great giver and he was my hero."

    The recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Barry Alvarez, athletic director and former head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, echoed Swinney’s sentiments, “The name alone speaks a bulk of excellence and tonight that is what this award represents and it’s obvious why the honor is named after Bear Bryant.”

    Alvarez is praised for revitalizing the Badgers’ football program during his coaching tenure from 1990-2005 and is the winningest coach in Wisconsin football history (119-74-4 record).

    Funds raised from the event benefit American Heart Association research, advocacy and educational programs aimed at the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

    Other finalists for Coach of the Year in attendance were Paul Chryst(Wisconsin), P.J. Fleck (Western Michigan), James Franklin (Penn State), Dana Holgorsen (West Virginia), Mike MacIntyre (Colorado), and Clay Helton (University of Southern California), who was the running backs coach at the University of Houston, his alma mater, from 1997-99, working under his father, head coach Kim Helton.

    Nick Saban (Alabama) and Bob Swoopes (Oklahoma) were nominated as well, but were unable to attend.

    Seen in the crowd were Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller (whose father, Kevin, has had two different open-heart surgeries), former Boston Globe sportswriter Bob Ryan, Jim McIngvale (who donated several mattresses up for auction), Cullen Kappler, Lance Odom, Travis Torrence, Lauren Varnado, Kathy Zay, Kathy and Peter Huddleston, Tammy and Justin Comeaux, Josh and Jill Sherman, Dane Cleven, Nick Hiemstra, Chuck Wall, and John Anderson.

    In case you missed it, you can catch the program on Fox Sports Southwest on Sunday, January 22, at 9 pm CST.

    Dabo Swinney took home the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award for college coach of the year for the second year in a row.

    Houston, Paul \u201cBear\u201d Bryant Awards winner_Dabo Swinney_Jan 2017
      
    Courtesy photo
    Dabo Swinney took home the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award for college coach of the year for the second year in a row.
    sports
    news/society

    Tasting Table Recap

    Foodies feast at CultureMap Houston's first Tasting Table dinner

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 24, 2025 | 3:45 pm
    CultureMap Tasting Table B.B. Italia Land Rover Southwest
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
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    A select group of food-obsessed Houstonians had a very special Monday night meal at the first CultureMap Tasting Table. Held at B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar in Sugar Land Town Square, the sold-out affair celebrated good food, refreshing drinks, and the special twists that make every CultureMap event a night to remember.

    The evening began with a cocktail hour that featured sips from event sponsor Weber Ranch Vodka. Under the watchful eyes of Berg Hospitality Senior Vice President of Operations Arthur Mooradian and B.B. Italia general manager Jason Fletcher, the restaurant’s staff glided through the crowd offering filet skewers and the fan favorite meatballs. Guests also had the opportunity to admire a well-appointed Land Rover Defender, courtesy of presenting sponsor Land Rover Southwest Houston.

    Once inside, guests had the opportunity to pose for a caricature from NXTLVL Events — yes, the same Bob Ross-inspired robot that was such a hit at the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Prior to the meal, Gow Media CRO Lindsey Harvel welcomed everyone and gave a little special recognition to CultureMap Houston editor Eric Sandler (a.k.a, this author).

    B.B. Italia served a three-course meal that highlighted their most popular dishes. Diners could opt for either a classic Caesar or Burrata Citrus Salad to start. From there, they chose either Shrimp Scampi over linguini, a classic Chicken Parmigiana, or the Grandma’s Ravoli — a brisket-filled take on the classic that was served with an appealing cream parmesan sauce. The meal finished with a sample tray of the restaurant’s most popular desserts, cheesecake, cannoli, and tiramisu.

    Happy and full, everyone returned to the Land Rover Defender for gift bags and swag from the night’s sponsors.

    Seen in the crowd were Houston influencer Nicole Kestenbaum, Gow Media CEO Jacob Swain, a team from the PR mavens at Public Content, Brynn Lehman from Weber Ranch Vodka, and the night’s very special guests Land Rover Southwest general manager Chris Parker and his wife, Brand Strategy Director at Sonic Automotive Ashley Parker. We also extend a hearty congratulations to Dulles High School principal Corey Stewart and his wife Megnon, who celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary at the meal.

    CultureMap Tasting Table B.B. Italia Land Rover Southwest
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    The team from Land Rover Southwest showed off this new Defender.

    For those who missed all the fun, fear not. We'll be announcing more Tasting Table events in the very near future.

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