Bear Bryant

Paul William Bear Bryant September 11 1913 January 26 1983 was an American college football player and coach He is considered by many to be one of the greatest college football coaches of all time and best known as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1958 to 1982 During his 25year tenure as Alabamas head coach he amassed six national championships and 13 conference championships Upon his retirement in 1982 he held the record for the most wins 323 as a head coach in collegiate football history The Paul W Bryant Museum Paul W Bryant Hall Paul W Bryant Drive and BryantDenny Stadium are all named in his honor at the University of Alabama Before arriving at Alabama Bryant played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was head football coach of the Maryland Terrapins the Kentucky Wildcats and the Texas AM Aggies Bryant is also known for integrating Alabamas football program For years Bryant was accused of racism for refusing to recruit black players He had tried to do so at Kentucky in the late 40s but was denied by then University President Herman Donovan Bryant said that the prevailing social climate and the overwhelming presence of noted segregationist George Wallace in Alabama first as governor and then as a presidential candidate did not let him do this He finally was able to convince the administration to allow him to do so leading to the recruitment of Wilbur Jackson as Alabamas first black scholarship player who was recruited in 1969 and signed in the Spring of 1970 Juniorcollege transfer John Mitchell became the first black player for Alabama in 1971 because freshmen thus Jackson were not eligible to play at that time They would both be a credit to the university by their conduct and play thus widening the door and warming the welcome for many more to follow By 1973 onethird of the teams starters were black and Mitchell became the Tides first black coach that season Description above from the Wikipedia article Bear Bryant licensed under CCBYSA full list of contributors on Wikipedia