WMU's Lance Taylor named 'Bear' Bryant coach of the week, in defeat

Losing on a game show might earn you the home game, or a toaster.

Lance Taylor’s consolation prize? National coach of the week.

Taylor, Western Michigan’s fourth-year football coach, was named the Paul “Bear” Bryant national head coach of the week Tuesday, Sept. 8, three days after the Broncos’ last-second (and controversial) loss at Michigan.

The award, which has been given out weekly since 2024, is named after the legendary Alabama football coach. And this marks the first time the award has been given out to a coach coming off of a loss.

News of the award came minutes after the Mid-American Conference announced it would appeal the end result of the game to the NCAA and the College Football Playoff.

Michigan beat Western Michigan, 13-12, on a last-second Hail Mary touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan. The play came after on-field officials put one second back on the clock, citing its own replay time keeping (which differed from the clock being seen by viewers watching on TV, as NBC/Peacock showed zero time remaining).

The MAC, in the immediate aftermath early Sunday morning, initially accepted the Big Ten’s explanation for putting the one second back on the clock. The MAC changed its mind Tuesday, given the stakes, with Western Michigan a strong candidate to be in the mix for the Group of Six’s spot in the CFP at season’s end.

Western Michigan, including Taylor and president Russ Kavalhuna, have graciously accepted defeat, drawing praise from some and criticism from others who wish they would’ve put up more of a fight.

Taylor, 45, led the Broncos to a MAC championship and a bowl victory in 2025, and came into this season with high expectations, having returned all eligible starters on offense and defense.

Still, Western Michigan entered Saturday’s game as a 27.5-point underdog to then-No. 16 Michigan, which has since fallen out of the Associated Press Top 25 rankings — and is listed among teams also receiving votes, along with, yes, Western Michigan. The Broncos were seeking their first-ever win over a team ranked inside the top 20.

The Bryant award is given out by the American Heart Association. Bryant died in 1983 at the age of 69, after suffering a heart attack. Taylor’s father, Jim, played under Bryant at Alabama. Taylor also played at Alabama.

Taylor is the second winner of the award this year. The first winner was Memphis’ Charles Huff.

Western Michigan next plays at home Saturday, Sept. 12, against Monmouth.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: WMU’s Lance Taylor named ‘Bear’ Bryant coach of the week, in defeat