Background
Bryant, Bear was born on September 11, 1913 in Morro Botoms, Arkansas, United States.
Bryant, Bear was born on September 11, 1913 in Morro Botoms, Arkansas, United States.
After graduation from the University of Alabama, Bear was hired as an assistant coach at Alabama in 1935. When World World War II came, Bryant served four years in the Navy and upon his return to civilian life he was in 1945 as the Head coach of Maryland. After one year he moved south to be the Head Coach of Kentucky where he coached a team to four bowl games and won their only Securities and Exchange Commission Championship.
In 1954, he went on to Texas Agricultural and Mechanical. After a disappointing first season, Bear turned the program around securing a 9-0-1 record and the Securities and Exchange Commission Championship. In 1958, at age 44 his reputation as a first rate football coach with a fiery temper and a love for God and country was well known.
For the next twenty odd years, Paul "Bear" Bryant made a houndstooth hat and a rolled up depth chart synonumous with Alabama football.