Bear Bryant described himself as nothing but a winner long before he broke the record which made him college football's winningest coach. After hearing the facts on the Bear's coaching career, I believe that you"ll agree with me that he is the greatest college football coach of all-time.
Many of people have wondered how Paul Bryant got his nickname the Bear. In his younger days he was well known as being a pretty tough guy. Somebody bet him one day to wrestle a bear that was being held inside of a local theater. So he wrestled the bear and won, and ever since then he has been referred to as the Bear.
Bear Bryant began his football playing days in Morro Bottom, Arkansas where he became an All-State football player. He earned a scholarship to Alabama through his size, strength, and spirit.
But Bear Bryant was most noted for his coaching abilities and his dedication towards winning. His first coaching job was at the University of Maryland in 1945 where he earned the reputation as a demanding coach and strict disciplinarian. From 1946 to 1953 he coached at the University of Kentucky. While at Kentucky he coached the Wildcats to 4 bowl games and won their only Southeastern Conference championship. Coach Bryant knew that no matter how good his football program was at Kentucky it would all ways play second fiddle to the basketball team and Adolph Rupp. He moved on to Texas A&M 54 to 57 and won the Southwest Conference championship in 1956. The University of Alabama was looking for a coach and in 1958 the Bear came back home. From 1958 to 1982 Coach Bryant ran the Tide football program with class and dedication. Coach Bryant was once quoted as saying, "If you believe in yourself and have pride and never quit, you"ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.".
Here are some of the records which Coach Bryant holds. He won 15 conference championships in his career. He holds the record for bowl appearances with 29, and won the National Championship 6 times.
