subject: Alabama Football - The Crimson Tide's "Bear"Bryant [print this page] If you're a fan of college football, you have no doubt heard of the "Bear" - the now-legendary Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, who spent a full twenty-five years patrolling the sidelines of every Alabama game. Some would say that coaching at Alabama would be one of the easiest tasks in the sport, given the program's status as an elite power in the NCAAS. With a total of 13 NCAA titles, a host of conference titles, and more bowl appearances than you can shake a stick at, Alabama football has seemingly always been about winning. Paul Bryant was an important part of that history, as he was responsible for leading the teams that acquired six of those titles while also breaking the Alabama color barrier. Perhaps more than any other coach in Alabama history, the Bear left his own distinct impression on the program.
The Bear turns it around
Bryant's entrance into the Alabama program after leaving his old job at Texas A&M came on the heels of one of Alabama's rare losing streaks. Though the team had suffered through a series of season with losing records, the Bear was determined to turn it around quickly, and did. His first season culminated in a five win record, with four games lost and one that resulted in a tie. The new coach brought with him a disciplined coaching style that inspired his players to elevate their game to meet the challenges provided by every opponent. It didn't take long for the Bear to once again have the Crimson Tide knocking on the door of another national championship. The fourth season of Bryant's leadership resulted in a major bowl game victory ad the first of what would be Bryant's six national championships with the team. From that point onward, the Alabama teams that Bear coached were consistently dominant; during a six year period from 1961 through 1966 the Alabama program compiled sixty wins. During that same time frame they lost only five contests. That stretch included 4 conference championships, 3 recognized national titles, and two undefeated seasons. Alabama was in bowl games at the end of each of those six campaigns.
The Crimson Tide Seventies
Every year in the 1970s but two belonged to the Crimson Tide. The SEC was, without a doubt, theirs to do with as they will, and they dominated it in style. That dominance resulted in yet another three national titles, completing Bryant's six-pack of crowns. For students of 'Bama history, however, the 1970s are also known for one of Bryant's bravest decisions. Before a game between Alabama and USC in 1971, the Coach decided to permit John Mitchell to start the game for the Crimson Tide. This was the first instance of any black football player starting in an Alabama Crimson Tide uniform - and it was the event that effectively broke Alabama's color barrier.
The end of Bryant's career came after more than two decades as Alabama's coach, and was - fittingly, some would say - a victory for his Tide in the Liberty Bowl game of 1982. Bryant left the sport with a total of 323 wins, which was at the time the most ever recorded by a college coach. His 25 total seasons with the Tide still represent the gold standard for college football coaching, and many are the coaches who have since claimed the Bear as their inspiration. Bryant passed away in 1983, a mere month after coaching his final game.
Alabama Football - The Crimson Tide's "Bear"Bryant
