The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 2026 Awards of Excellence recipients, honoring three influential NFL assistant coaches. Mike Westhoff, Bobb McKittrick, and Ted Cottrell will be recognized for their decades of contributions to the game. The announcement came from Canton, Ohio, where the Hall is located.

Westhoff spent 33 seasons in the NFL, primarily overseeing special teams for the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. His innovative special teams strategies influenced the league for decades. McKittrick served as offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers for 21 seasons, playing a key role in all five of the franchise's Super Bowl victories. He joined the team in 1979 under Bill Walsh and helped establish a dynasty.

Cottrell worked for six NFL franchises over 24 seasons and is credited as an innovator of the 3-4 defense. He helped develop Hall of Famers including Bruce Smith with the Buffalo Bills. The Awards of Excellence also recognized winners in public relations, equipment management, and athletic training categories, with film and video directors winners still to be announced for the June ceremony.