author
Paul W. Bryant
1913–1983
A towering figure in college football, he turned discipline, toughness, and a plainspoken style into one of the sport’s most celebrated coaching careers. Best known as Bear Bryant, he became inseparable from the rise of Alabama football.
1 Audiobook
Building a championship football team
by Paul W. Bryant
About the author
Born in Arkansas in 1913, Paul William "Bear" Bryant played end at the University of Alabama in the 1930s before serving in the Navy during World War II. He went on to coach at Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and finally Alabama, where his long run from 1958 to 1982 made him a national sports icon.
Bryant was known for demanding practices, careful preparation, and an ability to build fiercely loyal teams. During his years at Alabama, he won multiple national championships and became, at the time of his retirement, the winningest coach in major college football.
Even after his death in 1983, his legacy has remained deeply tied to the University of Alabama and the broader history of the game. His trademark houndstooth hat and sideline presence helped make him one of the most recognizable figures in American sports.